Treasures of the surf - surf-fish in California coast

Sunset, August, 1984

A welcome convenience for weary arms is a rod holder (about $10) mounted on a metal spike you stick in the sand.

You'll also want to stock up on terminal tackle: prepared surf leaders (see drawing at top right), a variety of hooks (sizes #6, 4, 2, and 1 or 1/0), and pyramid sinkers (2, 4, 5, and 6 oz. to suit wave and tide conditions).

While Southern Californians can get away with wearing a swimsuit and old sneakers in summer, their northern brethren will do best to wear waders. A pair of rubber hip or chest waders with built-in boots costs $30 to $65. A waterproof windbreaker provides further protection from windblown spray and clammy fog. Look for waders and rain gear at sporting goods shops and surplus stores.

Carry a knife to cut bait and clean fish. Take a burlap gunny sack or bucket to hold your catch. You may want to pack cold or hot drinks and a simple picnic. A small folding stool can give your legs a rest. To haul all this, you could use a duffel bag with shoulder straps.

And remember: anglers 16 and over are required to carry a state fishing license ($13 annually) when shore fishing. There's general bag limit of 20 for most surf fish (no more than 10 of one species); special regulations apply for halibut, striped bass, and salmon.

As soon as you get home, hose off rods and reels to wash away salt and sand.

These two books can help you plan a trip: Anglers' Guide to the United States Pacific Coast ($8.50 postpaid). Good guide for all kinds of ocean angling; text and maps locate shore-fishing areas; drawings show many marine gamefish. You can order a copy from Government Printing Office bookstores in Los Angeles (213/688-5841) and San Francisco (415/556-6657).

California Coastal Access Guide (University of California Press, Berkeley, 1983; $7.95). Easy-to-follow maps and charts pinpoint sandy beaches, facilities. Most bookshops carry it.

Photo: Spume surges toward surf-casters on San Francisco's Baker Beach; russet Golden Gate Bridge is backdrop

Photo: Redtail surfperch are prize of angler at Point Reyes National Seashore's north beach

Photo: North to south along the California coast, where to surf-cast and for what

We list 40 beach areas north to south, noting any specialty fish. S.P. means state park, S.B. state beach. Expect to pay a day-use fee at state areas.

North Coast. North of Humboldt Bay: Prairie Creek Redwoods S.P., Gold Bluff Beach, via Fern Canyon-Davidson Road (redtail surfperch); Trinidad S.B.; Mad River Beach County Park (redtail perch).

Humboldt Bay: North Spit via State Highway 255 (redtail and silver perch); South Spit via Table Bluff Road (same fish).

Mendocino County: MacKerricher S.P. just north of Fort Bragg (redtail, calico perch); Manchester S.B. just north of Point Arena (redtail).

Sonoma County: Sonoma Coast State Beaches north of Bodega Bay.

Central Coast. Marin County: Point Reyes National Seashore north and south beaches, via Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (redtail, calico perch; occasional salmon, starry flounder); Stinson Beach.