Summer is here, and now is the moment to pursue Corbina on the beaches of Southern California. Chasing “beans” with the fly has gained in popularity. I first heard of this fish as a kid while perusing a 1976 issue of ANGLER Magazine. Nick Curcione wrote of catching one on a Clouser while casting in the surf. Fast forward to me, a teenager in San Diego, when I would trip over these fish as they cruised the shallows as I floundered around on a boogie board. Local fly shop owner Bill Stroud encouraged me to go after them, but my attempts remained fruitless. Truth is that I fancied electric guitars a lot more. Fast forward again to roughly 10 years ago, now in LA, when Al Quattrocchi inspired me to resume the quest.
This sleek member of the croaker family demonstrates a tendency to feed in the shallows during the summer. Mole crabs are their primary quarry, and their presence goes hand in hand with the presence of these burrowing crustaceans, although seeing beans chase baitfish is not a freak occurrence (hence Nick’s Clouser-caught bean in the 70s). Still, a gingerly presented fly, often a Surfin’ Merkin, stripped or twitched in front of a sighted fish is the tactic of choice.
So what’s the draw? Well, the fight is remarkable, and isn’t sight fishing everybody’s drug of choice? But wait, there’s more. You get humor and convenience, along with that test of your skills. If you step too far out into the surf, you might hear a splash as a Corbina races back to the depths from 5 feet behind you (usually in 3 inches of water), bringing a chuckle from fellow anglers. Kesley Gallagher, a 24-time IGFA record holder and the 2018 Ladies Tarpon Fly Champion, sums it up, stating, “These fish drive me nuts!”
Not a fish of exotic destinations, you’re always near your coffee shop of choice. And, for the masochist in us all, fly selection, choice of retrieve, timing a cast, tides selection, and beach selection keeps one humble and striving to improve. Then there are those moments when one throws all that out the window. We fish when we can, right? Sprinkle in some incidental species such as perch, croakers, and halibut, and it stays interesting.
“Experimentation is always fun. No rules in this game.”
Paul Cronin, developer of the Surfin’ Merkin – inspired by the Merkin patterns used for permit.
LA’s Lino Jubilado‘s Beach Buster has become popular (see photo) and, hell, I once got one to take a black woolly bugger.
This year, I began more diligently keeping my leader at no less than 9 feet minimum and began using a clear intermediate line to bring my catch rate up. Tenkara? A floating line? A 4 weight? It’s been done! My latest fancy – fishing at night because I find the fish less skittish and fewer beachgoers “intercepting” my backcast.
My one soapbox: A bean’s fatigue is not talked about enough. Please try not to overhandle them and make sure they swim away with vigor. I have a buddy who fishes barbless for fast releases.
Now go get ‘em!
THE BASICS
Season: June to mid-August is prime time for sight fishing. But this can vary from region to region, and remember, they can be taken year-round with proper conditions. Early in the season, before the beans are in the shallows seeking crabs, blind-casting a red worm or an olive/white Clouser minnow can do the trick. Look for ledges, divots, and troughs in the sand.
Flies: Most of the local fly shops sell Surfin’ Merkins and other patterns tied by local guys. Patterns like the Deerhair Sand Crab, Clouser Minnow, Razzler, Corbina Candy, Holey Moley, Surf Rat, Crazy Charlie are good to keep handy.
Gear is surprisingly flexible, which is why I do not dwell too much on it. Currently, I am seeing primarily 6-weight with sinking or intermediate lines. A few experiment with switch rods, too (great for avoiding beachgoers behind you).
Al Q, who authored the only book on the Corbina game, The Corbina Diaries, effectively addresses the pursuit. The book is simply brilliant and will save you a few skunk sessions. Al also acknowledges the many innovators and characters who make up this community.
Lastly, for some comic relief, check out Carp Tiki on Instagram.
