Local Surf Fly Fishing Report

Lost Coast Outfitters staff reports on July 25th, 2026

The Surf Proper:

Fishing has been decent to good along the coast. The water is warm (thanks to the impending El Nino) and bait is present. We've seen a few big fish and a smattering of smaller fish caught on the fly recently. The conventional crowd are getting stripers consistently at night too, so fish are around--you just need to provide the fly. Everything from the Marin Headlands through the city and to Monterey Bay has bait and fish to share. 

Wind has been an issue lately (as it always is). While we've experienced a few gorgeous mornings of light wind and warm air, wind out of the west has been more common, and building through the day, as per usual. But! When you look at the wind forecast (we are partial to the website/app Windy) if it looks like it's blowing in the morning, but you're itching to go, hit the beach and see what the conditions are at the moment. Weather is difficult to forecast, even for professionals, and you will often find that the wind speed on the beach is less than the forecast would make it seem. Of course, it may be more than predicted, but you'll never know unless you go. And. hot tip, the fish couldn't care less if it's windy or not. 

We're finding success out there with 2/0 Adachi Clousers in Surf Brown, Chartreuse & Joker colors. Fast sinking shooting heads are a must in the ocean. Our two preferred heads are 30' of Rio T-14 or the Rio Outbound Short Type 6.

The mole crabs have just molted and are tumbling through the waves ready to be picked off by perch (and stripers). While Stinson Beach has been a bit slow, the perch bite varies from day to day and spot to spot. They roam around looking for food, just like any good predator and when you find one, usually you find more. 

The Bay:

The Bay is warm and while it's not high migration season, fish are available. The East Bay has been the best thing going. Alameda, Berkeley & Point Pinole are all good spots to check out. A mix of stripers and halibut keep things interesting. Again, go early or late, to avoid wind and people. Predator fish enjoy hunting in low light conditions too.

Think smaller bait and smaller flies in the bay. Recently we've seen loads of small minnows, sometimes called glass minnows, that are thin and shiny and about 1.5". A #2 Adachi Clouser will get the jobs done. Try the Black/White edition to match the hatch. 

Slow sinking lines are the rule in the Bay. Our preferred line is the Rio Outbound Intermediate. Easy casting and shooting keeps your fly in the water longer and makes for less work.

Tides:

We're headed into some morning low tides, which isn't usually anyones favorite part of cycle, however, some places are good or even preferred at low tide. And low tide can help concentrate bait in certain areas as the water falls out and predator fish (i.e. hungry striped bass) will trap baitfish in shallow water and feast. Don't write off low tide. Adapt! Find the fish, they don't just disappear, the continue to eat and eat and eat! Good low tide spots to start are Seminary Drive in Richardson Bay, Crissy Field in SF & Shorebird Park in Berkeley.