It’s been a wild summer. The wind in early August never quit in the afternoons; we had fluctuating swells and side currents. Lots of sand crab beds and lots of scattered fish. If you found the big crab beds and holding structure, your odds were seriously increased in hooking fish, simply because they would be concentrated in one area, and odds were you would get bit. Corbina are not honest fish; they grab the fly when they feel like it. Maybe you piss them off, and it’s a reaction strike, or perhaps they are thinking it’s a live sand crab and they are hungry? We will never know, but that’s what makes this game one of the most challenging in the surf. Important note: We only post fair-hooked Corbina on this site; everyone fouls fish including us, especially when they are concentrated in groups. It is very easy to accidently run into one with your fly, but they are immediately released sans photo. Don’t believe everything you see on social media!
The best feeling is getting one to eat the fly in the corner of the mouth or sometimes inhaled into the back of their throat. That’s an accomplishment. Something to celebrate with a photo and remember.
There are many outings I don’t catch a Corbina, but I always learn something, and as long as I see fish and can cast to them, I am having a great time. My morning is often made by watching my buddy hook up or seeing a total stranger catch one on the fly, fair. I still think these fish are one of the hardest to catch on a fly, so the skunk or stripe is always going to be part of this game. If you like consistently pulling on fish, this game is not for you. But if you want to become a better angler, one who values patience and determination, this is your game. I can’t get enough of it, I’m a sick man. LOL -Al Q
PS: if the water temps remain in the seventies the next tide cycle we be worth fishing, there is still a good volume of fish in the system. We have been getting a few on the pink merkin \ holy moley flies. good luck!
flies, sand & surf 