For surfcasters around Monterey Bay at least, it is now officially wintertime. Fishing from the beach for perch and stripers has slowed to a snail’s pace for most beach anglers in our area. This is a normal pattern. Every year we have a slowdown in November then the pace gradually picks up through December, January and February. A critical part of this pattern is the structuring of beaches caused by winter storm conditions, most notably big northwest swells and currents. The big water movement transports thousand of tons of sand, forming sand bars and gullies on the beach and just offshore that are perfect perch feeding grounds.

Of primary importance in any water activity is to remember the adage “Safety First.” Every year, people lose their lives in surf related tragedies along the coast. Coast Guard statistics don’t factor out the specific number of surfcasters who succumb to unexpected situations, but a quick online search pulls up news stories from every year recording incidents in northern California in which anglers have died.

In July of this year, a surfcaster succumbed while fishing near the Carmel Highlands. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said “The body of a fisherman who went missing Friday was located. The man was overdue at Yankee Point near the Carmel Highlands. He was reported missing two hours later.” On November 10, 2023 a fisherman at Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County died after being swept into the water. February of 2022 saw a similar tragedy according to KRON news who reported, “A fisherman who was dragged into the ocean by a sneaker wave at Muir Beach in Marin County has been identified. According to the US Coast Guard, sneaker waves were responsible for 17 deaths along the California coast last year.” Though not engaged in fishing, two visitors to Santa Cruz drowned near West Cliff Drive after being swept from the rocks by a sneaker wave in July.

For their boating death statistics, the US Coast Guard reports that Nearly 90% of boating deaths can be attributed largely to lack of education, inexperience and inattention by operators of the vessel. These are tragic statistics, especially considering fairly easy access to boater safety lessons, courses and other resources. These same factors apply in fatal incidents along the beach. Kathe Tanner from the Modesto Bee interviewed officials in regards to a fatal surfcaster drowning at Big Sur, at Jade Cove. On March 20, 2022 Tanner reported, “The deputy said he could only conjecture about why the fisherman was swept out to sea. ‘Perhaps he was looking down, baiting his hook, and not paying attention to the waves.’ The incident once again highlights the danger of sneaker waves, he said, which break suddenly and can surprise people who aren’t watching the water. As law enforcers and marine experts have said for decades, ‘Never turn your back on the ocean.’”

Next week we will look further into proactive safety measures that can keep us safe while we enjoy beach fishing in our area.