With the holidays and big savings right around the corner, there is no time like now to restock gear for the new year! For the inshore fisherman, fishing in the bays and estuaries for halibut and spotted bay bass is really a year-round fishery. While everyone else is waiting until the Spring for the tuna to arrive, it’s a great time to try out some new toys in the bay! To help you make the most of a bank fishing session, we have compiled a collection of rods, reels, and baits in this inshore holiday gift guide that we believe are must-haves in your arsenal.
Rods
For the vast possibilities that a fishing rod can be, thankfully, for inshore fishing, you only need a few. To cover the various bass species, Halibut, and Corvina, you will need a medium-light, medium, and medium-heavy powered rod. These rods should range between 7’ and 8’ with mod-fast to ex-fast actions depending on the lures you will be using.
For single hook baits such as underspins and weedless baits, a faster action will give you the power to drive that single hook on a hookset. For treble hook baits, a moderate action will allow for the rod to absorb head shakes that could potentially pull the treble hook points.
Phenix is a proven Southern California rod company and with countless sources of local expertise, it is no surprise that they have been able to create such a versatile and useful line of inshore fishing rods. The M1 Inshore rods encompass a wide variety of models and allow the angler to find one that will perfectly fit their needs. Some of the models that I believe will prove the most useful for hopping docks and banks are the SMX-73MH and the SMX-77ML. For those venturing to the break wall or local kelp grounds, look to the SMX-711MH and SMX-82H for a mix of Calico bass and small Yellowtail.
Edge Rods is a Pacific Northwest-based company founded by Gary Loomis in the mid-2000s. Edge is proudly made in the USA and welcomes customers to stop by their factory in Woodland, Washington where one can see everything from blanks being rolled to rods being wrapped. They consistently follow their mantra, “weight is a deterrent to performance,” and when you use one of these rods, you will see how true this is. Remarkably light, unimaginably sensitive, and the epitome of a high-performance fishing rod.
An important point to note is that many of their rods are built to order so if you would like to fish one of these rods on an upcoming trip, make sure to factor in a 3-5 week build time.
They are only available to order online from the website or at local trade shows. Some of the models that I recommend are the FSC MBR 703-1 and BWC MBR 735-1.
Reels
Finding a reel that can consistently take the use and abuse that comes with inshore saltwater fishing is a true challenge. However, the following three reels are made exactly for this use. From weekend warriors to full-time professionals, these reels offer the ideal balance of performance, durability, and price.
One of the most popular reels for inshore fishing is the Shimano Tranx 200. Released earlier this year, Shimano has made this reel’s younger brother, the Tranx 150. With Core Protext, Cross Carbon Drags, and weighing in at only 6.7 oz, this reel is one of the best for fishermen specifically fishing the bays for Spotted Bay Bass and Halibut.
The Lexa name is synonymous with heavy-duty performance. Now with the Lexa Type HD, it has been upgraded to advance all the features that made this reel a proven powerhouse. The Lexa HD is a go-to reel for larger inshore presentations. A-rigs, large crankbaits and swimbaits can all be fished with ease on the Lexa 300. And if you want a crossover reel to cover Dorado and small tuna, look no further!
Penn is a newcomer to the inshore low-profile market, yet with a sterling reputation for quality saltwater gear, there is no doubt that this reel will continue to advance its legacy. This reel features a full metal body and side plate with strong gearing to provide an overall durable and high-performing saltwater reel. I am looking forward to putting this reel through its paces this season.
Baits
The Axe Blade is a staple for the inshore southern California fisherman. If you have yet to experience the sheer fish-catching power of this bait, pick one up at your earliest convenience. They are available in ¾ oz and 1 oz models across six different colors, but frankly, I do not believe the colors of these baits matter. When a spotted bay bass sees a small baitfish profile with a blade giving off vibrations and frantic light reflections plummeting down a dock piling, it seems as though that cannot do much but eat it. Casting and retrieving through docks, along shade lines, and on pilings is where the Axe Blade shines. It can prove very useful fished over eel grass with a steady retrieve too.
For fishing inshore saltwater, a swimbait is one of your most versatile and productive tactics. Baits such as the MC or Big Hammer have been long favorites of the inshore SoCal fishing community. However, one bait that I believe is greatly undervalued is the Keitech Swing Impact FAT. Initially proven in freshwater bass fishing, this line of swimbaits from Keitech offers a range of uses in our inshore fishery. Available from 2.8” to 7.8” and in any color pattern you could imagine, it would be a rare situation for one of these baits to not “match the hatch.” Rig this on a jig head, A-rig, swim jig, or the new Warbaits Neck Breaker, and the body roll and strong kick are bound to draw in the weariest predators.
Whether it is eelgrass, kelp, or any other vegetative cover, a weedless swimbait is one of the best ways to navigate these fish-filled habitats. One of the best new weedless swimbaits is the Kicker Pickle Kick. Since being introduced in early 2020, this bait has taken Calico, Sand, and Spotted Bay Bass by storm. One of the many astounding qualities of this bait is the durability of the plastic while retaining an impressive swimming action. Available in 5”, 7”, and 9” models, from fishing Mission Bay to San Clemente Island, there is a size and colorway that is bound to produce.
Lucky Craft CIF Flash Minnow 110
Much like a Calico bass’ habitat in a break wall, if you have not heard of the Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110, you too might have been living under a rock. The Lucky Craft CIF Flash Minnow is part of Lucky Craft’s California Inshore Fishing (CIF) series which was specifically developed for inshore saltwater anglers. Halibut, Calico bass, Barracuda, Corvina, and Surf Perch have all fallen victim to this deadly bait. Due to this bait being specifically designed for our fisheries, it already comes in a multitude of colors specific to SoCal baitfish along with corrosion-resistant hooks. Do yourself a favor, and add a few of these great producers to your tackle box.
The WARBAITS Neck Breaker is a new bait to the market that I am particularly interested in. Combining the utility of a jig head and the versatility of a weedless swimbait, with some added body roll from the swing head design, it is no surprise that this bait has already accounted for several inshore trophies. If you are looking to expand your arsenal and offer the fish something new and unique, be sure to check out the WARBAITS Neck Breaker.
Line
When it comes to mainline and leader choices, there are almost endless options and we could dedicate an entire article to it. However, one that you should definitely pay attention to is Seaguar Inshore fluorocarbon leader. This leader was based on a line for Salmon and Steelhead fishing, so it is incredibly abrasion resistant. It comes in spools of 100 yards, making it a great bang for the buck. For saltwater bass fishing where abrasion resistance is needed and leaders are often being re-tied, this is a great option!
