It’s about that time in Southern California. The water temps are climbing, the days are getting longer, and the weather is amazing. They are going to be all over the beach. People, as far as the eye can see. While the insane amount of people on our beaches of Southern California can get almost unbearable for us fly anglers there is another group that makes toughing out the crowds worth it, and that’s the Corbina. If you are looking for a new species to target on the fly rod then these guys should be at the top of your list. The aspect of sight fishing for a fish that is arguably one of the hardest fish to pursue in California with a fly rod, it doesn’t get much better from shore. I’ll try and cover what you need to know to help you get hooked up with the Ghost of the Coast. While this may not be swinging for winter steelhead hard, these fish are a challenge. I’ve met many anglers who I would say know a thing or two and still have a hard time hooking up with a corbina. So, let’s get started.
General knowledge
The California Corbina is a part of the croaker family, a silver/gray fish that many local beach goers will step right over without seeing. In the summer the corbina makes its way to the coast to spawn and feed on Crab flies, Clams, Worms, among other things. When you’re targeting corbina, you’re generally going to be looking in the swash zone, which is after the waves break and start to wash up onto shore. Now with fly fishing for anything I’ll say that never and always statements are rarely factual, but typically if you’re standing calf to knee deep, the fish are probably feeding behind you. When I look for these fish, I like to stay far enough from the water that it won’t touch my feet, but I can still see where the fish may be cruising. I’ll bob back and forth following the waves, trying to get a good look, but I’ve spooked more fish than I can count by walking through water that barely touched my ankle. Spotting these fish can be tough. If you don’t have the sun, it can be really tough, but not impossible as these fish can be seen cruising with their backs out of the water. Oftentimes if they are feeding you will catch their tails out of the water, but to have the best chance at sight fishing these fish then the sun really makes a difference. As far as tides it can vary and that’s on you to put the time in on different beaches and see what beach fishes well at what tides. For a general start, I’d say get started at a good low tide to find structure that will hold fish. It doesn’t have to be insane structure, small troughs and holes can hold fish. Identify these spots and wait for the tide to fill in. The fish should start to move into these spots to hold where they will ride the incoming tide to feed and follow the recessing water back to the structure, or they will use these features as roadways to move in as they search for food.
Fly Fishing Gear
Fly Fishing Rods
For a rod I’d say a 6 wt is the most ideal rod, and what I see most guys using. Though I know people that will use anything from a 4 wt to a 8 wt, so if that’s all you have, you can still get out there! For the rod you want something that you can fire off a fast shot at a fish as the window of opportunity can be small. Something that can handle a full sink line and will hold up against the salt water. A couple of good choices I’d go with are the Echo Boost Blue or the Scott Sector.
Fly Fishing Reels
Nothing too crazy here, as these fish won’t burn your reel out, but they can definitely get you to your backing. The most important quality in a reel for corbina or the surf in general is that it’ll stand up to the salt and sand. A sealed reel is a must out here. I’ve picked up a Hatch reel a few years ago, and it’s been nothing short of a reliable and a badass reel. Echo and Galvan also make some nice, sealed reels.
Fly Fishing Lines
Back to the never and always, I will not say that you can’t effectively fish an intermediate or even a float line, I have some buddies who know this game way more than me and they put those lines to use because certain situations call for different approaches. If you’re just getting started I suggest a fast, full sink line. In most cases a full sink is going to be what you need. It’s going to get your fly down and keep it there and won’t let the surf toss your line around. I have been using the Rio Fathom sink line and have no complaints. The Fathom is also a pretty stealthy sink line, allowing for more subtle cast at a tailing corbina in the skinny.
Fly Fishing Leader/Tippet
For this I run a straight piece of 10-pound fluorocarbon. I keep my leaders around 5-6 feet just to keep my fly in better connection to my line, if the surf is super calm, I will lengthen my leader by a foot or two. That’s just something you have to play with and see what you and the fish like. I started out using nothing but 6-pound fluorocarbon, But I’ve slowly moved to 10 pound fluorocarbon and haven’t noticed any significant change, I haven’t had any more refusals than usual. If you stick between 6-to-10-pound fluoro you’re probably safe.
Fly Fishing Flies
Corbina feed on an array of food in the surf. Regularly they are feeding on Sand Crab, so having a few Merkins or Corbina crack is a must. Some other fly fishing flies that work are Beach Bugger flies, Crazy Charlie flies, and Foxy Clouser flies. I think it’s important to just keep the color and size close to what they are feeding on. If they are all over a crab bed, it’s safe to say a Merkin or Corbina Crack may be the ticket. While I’m on the beach before I get started, I try to dig up some crabs and get a general idea of the size I’m consistently seeing.
Extras
Polarized glasses are really a non-negotiable for me. If I drive to a beach and realize I forgot my glasses, I’m turning around to get them before I try and fish without them. You will see most guys using a casting basket as well. It’s nice to have something to catch your line and keep it away from your feet or in the surf. The corbina game is a lot more walking and looking then actually casting, but having your line in a basket ready to shoot when you finally do see a fish can be the difference of getting a shot off or losing sight of the fish because you have to strip line off your reel. Now if you live in California and frequent the beach, you know the sun is unforgiving. A thin long sleeve shirt and a buff are nice to protect your skin.
In closing, this game is a lot of fun and is definitely seeing an increase in participants. I fish for a lot of different fish, but chasing these fish has quickly become something I’m obsessed with. I never thought I would be standing in a steelhead run thinking about another fish, but that is exactly what happened. So come by the shop, get what you need and get after it. Just remember to respect these fish and respect the other anglers and beachgoers. The last thing you want is to catch those guys playing Frisbee with a back cast, or maybe you do.
Goodluck,
