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I have not fished them yet this year. I heard there seeing them around Scripps pier. I love fishing big Leopards.
Iam reposting this as it might be useful to some. Alot of anglers dont know that you can get sizzled from the beach.
I have lived most of my 26 years of life in Del Mar California, with a few years in Costa Rica. Growing up surfing and fishing the beaches of Del mar, I have found a almost untapped fishery, which I am about to expose. Spearfishing and surfing the beaches of Del Mar enabled my friend and I to make the Leopard Shark discovery, back in Junior High school days. While spearfishing off the beaches of Del Mar ( more appreciating the underwater world rather then actual spearing) we would see numerous Leopard Sharks up to 6 feet long. We would also see these large grey torpedo shaped fish, while sitting on our surf boards, waiting for a wave, on a clear summer day.
It finally occured to us, we can catch these big Leopards. Here is our Leopard Shark technique. We bring a light six pound spinning out fitt to catch small perch on sand crabs or plastic grubs. Piece of cake, generally takes only a few minutes to get a perch, hopefully.
We take the stinky live perch and fish it on a 7-8 foot G-Lommis bass rod's with a Abu Garcia loaded with 15 lb. I do not suggest fishing, say a 250 CT Calcutta as the beach will realy take a toll on your nice shiny gold reel. We use a 1-3 ounce slider above a high quality swivel with a 1.5 foot leader of 20lb mono ( no need for wire) with a 3/0-5/0 hook. We use a short leader in order to get a good cast, with out the slider serperating many feet from the swivel.
This is the part where the whole beach looks at my friend and I like we are freaks. We have the stinky, hopefull pregnant perch now on a big 3/0-5/0 designer hook. We only fish Leopards durring the summer months, on a very small day. We waid out in the surf until the water is over are head. Then we doggy paddle farther and farther out. By this time a crowd could start forming. Once we get way out past the surf line, we wing that perch out. Then we doggy paddle back in unitl we can touch the bottom again. We walk back in free spool and stay in about 4 feet of water. We do not go back onto the dry beach, because the shore break will slowly drag your bait back in. So here we are in 4 feet of water in free spool with a perch way out there. The bite generally does not take long. The Leopards will either pick the bait up slowly and just lazily swim away. Other times they pick it up like a Yellow or Tuna, rip... We let the Leopards eat the bait for about 15-20 seconds while free spooling and walking on to shore. Once you get to shore put the reel in gear. Once the line gets tight start swinging and running backwards up the beach in order to get all the bow out of the line, with the surf and all. Keep swinging until it starts sizzling. Now, I never thought that these sharks were tough. They will take 50 yard screaming runs time after time. It is honestly, almost like hooking a real nice yellow on a 15lb bass rod from the beach. Now these sharks will take you up and down the beach for up to 45 minuts long ( longest battle to date). We have hooked Leopards at 19th st and ended up at 26th st.
By the time you get your Leopard close to shore, you will have a huge crowd forming around you with every coment you could imagine. If you have a partner with you, have him grab the tail, hold on, and drag the shark onto the beach. Take a quik look and let him go. We realese all Leopard Sharks and I hope anyone that takes my pointers, will do the same. They are supposed to be fairly good eating, but with all the tuna and tails durring the summer, who needs a shark. Let em go....
BTW: Yes, A kayak would be absolutley ideal. I am working on it.....
Give it a try, you would be amazed at how much more interesting beach fishing becomes when you are using the target species for bait. Corbina, croaker, mackerel, etc work well also. However, I believe a pregnat perch is the best bait. Surf Perch give birth to live young. Its like a burrito to them or a jelly filled donut. They cant resist.
A reminder to use a reel which you do not realy care about. It must have a decent drag also. When you are swiming out in the surf, your reel will probally be submerged numerous times. The Abu's are the best reels I belive, for big game beach fishing in San Diego. They are cheap and work fine....
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