SLO County city is one of the best family-friendly fishing spots in California, site says
Morro Bay is one of the best family-friendly fishing spots on the California coast, according to online travel fishing company FishingBooker.com
“Our top picks offer angling that’s both popular and beginner-friendly,” the charter boat-booking website said. “Having the whole family in mind, we also made sure to include kid-friendly activities as close to the dock as possible.
The site singled out a total of six Golden State spots, including Newport Beach, San Francisco and Bodega Bay.
“For families that aren’t drawn to the hustle and bustle of Southern California, we recommend the Central Coast,” FishingBooker.com said. “Nowhere lays on the small-town charm like Morro Bay.”
In addition to salmon, lingcod and a variety of rockfish, visitors will find “a lot of local passion” and frequent otter sightings, according to the site.
“Strolling the waterfront toward Giovanni’s Fish Market And Galley will bring you straight to local charter boats, as well as a perfect view of Morro Rock,” FishingBooker.com said. “Whether you prefer surfing, sun tanning, or playing mermaid for the day, these shores are your haven.”
It’s not the first time that FishingBooker.com has showcased Morro Bay as a top fishing destination.
In January, the site called Morro Bay one of the best winter fishing destinations in the United States.
FishingBooker.com bills itself as “the world’s largest website for connecting anglers and fishing guides.” To see its full list of family-friendly fishing spots, go to fishingbooker.com/blog/best-family-fishing-california-coast.
What makes Morro Bay a special place for family fishing?
FishingBooker’s praise for Morro Bay comes as no surprise to Jim Webb, a Cambria man who’s fished in Central Coast waters for decades.
On Wednesday, he was fishing from the deck of the Venture out of Morro Bay Landing with Brad Cano as skipper, catching his daily limit of rockfish and ling cod in fairly short order.
There were several youngsters on board for a half-day fishing voyage, Webb said. “Kids have a blast out on the water. The crews are really good with helping them get set up with the gear, helping them land the fish, even fileting the fish to take home for dinner.”
Fishing can be a special bonding experience, according to Gambit Ruiloba of Virg’s Landing.
“This town grew up around the fishing industry,” she said. “Our rockfishing is some of the best along the California coast. Take a little kid out for rockfish, they’re dealing with a fish they can handle.”
“It’s a feeling of accomplishment for them, and for our crew and other passengers,” Ruiloba said. “It’s such fun to watch. We love sharing the ocean with kids, pointing out the whales and sea lions on the way out to the fishing areas. It’s an experience that many other children never get to have.”
Webb said that Morro Bay’s “shallow-water trips can be a lot better” for beginners and families with young kids.
Fishing in shallower waters is “not as physically demanding as winding up a fish from 300 feet down,” he said. “And the trips accommodate children well.”
“We’re fortunate to have three commercial passenger fishing vessel landings,” he said, two of which — Virg’s and Morro Bay — are based in Morro Bay.
Patriot Sportfishing in Avila Beach also sends day boats to North Coast fishing areas.
“Each of those landings has from two to four boats that they try to fill up every day, sometimes multiple times a day” for half-day cruises, Webb said, offering several opportunities for fishing adventures.
San Luis Obispo County has three charter boat firms: Bent Rod Sport Fishing and Central Coast Fishing Charters in Morro Bay and Pismo Adventures in Pismo Beach.
“Our fishing is really good here, and the rockfish are more abundant here than down south or up north,” said Sergio Bermudez, owner and skipper of Bent Rod Sport Fishing.
Bermudez noted that Morro Bay is “a very friendly place, very generous.”
Plus, he added, “The weather is pretty good compared to every place else.”
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
