Complete Surf Fishing Courses 2026
American Sea Fishing offers comprehensive, professionally-run surf fishing courses in Southern California suitable for families, couples, individuals and complete beginners through to experienced anglers looking to refine their skills.
Our 5-star-rated surf fishing courses operate across Orange County, Los Angeles County, Malibu, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Dana Point, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Crystal Cove and San Diego County, covering some of California’s most productive, spectacular and accessible beaches.
2026 Pricing & Location Quick Look Up Menu
🔗 Course One – 2 sessions: Surf Perch and Corbina + Halibut and Bass
🔗 Course Two – 3 sessions: Surf Perch and Corbina + Croaker + Halibut & Bass
🔗 Course Three – 5 sessions: Surf Perch + Corbina + Croaker + Halibut & Bass + Sharks
📧 Get in Touch for a Quote Today
The family-friendly program cover essential surf fishing topics, including: rod, reel, tackle and rig selection, lure choice and bait presentation, reading tides and swell, identifying structure, finding and foraging bait, catching sand crabs, species ID, understanding currents and tides and other fish-catching skills, all whilst targeting a wide range of surf species.
Instruction is delivered through private morning sessions tailored to your experience level, local conditions, and personal goals – providing clear, step-by-step instruction on how to fish the surf zones effectively and safely.
All courses are hosted by an experienced local CDFW-licensed fishing guide and USA international surf angler – and American Sea Fishing is fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and holds youth worker certification, making our courses suitable for adults, families, and young anglers.
Just turn up and fish if you're at the start of your surf casting career – or we offer more advanced options for experienced anglers looking for an adventurous morning.
Surf Fishing Course Benefits
✅ Saves money vs booking multiple separate trips
✅ Flexible locations across SoCal; fish your local beach or explore multiple spots
✅ All-inclusive tackle and bait package – turn up and fish
✅ Courses cover all commonly-caught California surf species
We believe surf fishing should be accessible to everyone – and our goal is to pass on practical, proven techniques so anglers of all ages can confidently fish the beaches of California. Scroll below to view available surf fishing courses, locations, and current pricing.
Surf Fishing Course Quick Look-up Menu
Course 1 – Two Guided Sessions – 8 Hours Total
Course 1 consists of two guided sessions covering the basic tactics, techniques and tackle you'll need to catch light line species such as surf perch and corbina – and predatory game fish, such as California halibut and bass, on lures from shore.
As with all of our courses, you can book sessions close together for a condensed learning experience (family friendly summer camp-style schedules are a popular option) – or spread them out to suit your availability.
Session 1
Light Line Surf Fishing: Surf Perch &
Corbina
Surf perch are a great way to learn the basics of beach fishing in California and session one will focus primarily on catching surf perch and corbina using rigs, tactics and tackle that are fun and easy to master regardless of age or skill level. These species and techniques offer a perfect gateway into understanding the basics of surf fishing - such as reading structure and casting - and will likely provide plenty of bites and action through the morning.
Session 2
Lure Fishing: Saltwater Bass & California Halibut
With the confidence to target larger fish developing, your next session will involve targeting a trophy game fish - a California halibut, saltwater bass or seabass - on artificial baits. Throughout a morning's fishing, you'll get in-depth tuition on the key lure tactics and tackle you need to land a prized specimen like a legal size halibut (22"+), calico bass, sand bass, spotted bay bass or white seabass from shore. Reading structure, bait movements, tides and predatory behavior, bait selection and rigging are all covered one-to-one with a USA international angler and local guide.
Click for pricing 🔗 Course One – 2 sessions: Surf Perch and Corbina + Halibut and Bass
Course 2 – Three Guided Sessions – 12 hours Total
Course 2 consists of three guided sessions covering lots of the tactics, techniques and tackle you'll need to catch fish from the surf all year round in California; from light line surf fishing for corbina and surf perch, to bait fishing for year-round action plus bass and halibut on artificials.
As with all of our courses, you can book several sessions close together for a condensed learning experience (family friendly summer camp-style schedules are a popular option) – or spread them out over many weeks to suit your availability.
Session 1
Light Line Surf Fishing: Surf Perch &
Corbina
Surf perch are a great way to learn the basics of beach fishing in California and session one will focus primarily on catching surf perch and corbina using rigs, tactics and tackle that are fun and easy to master regardless of age or skill level. These species and techniques offer a perfect gateway into understanding the basics of surf fishing - such as reading structure and casting - and will likely provide plenty of bites and action through the morning.
Session 2
Bait Fishing: Croaker (Spotfin, Yellowfin)
With some new fishing skills and knowledge to deploy, you'll use heavier tackle to target larger fish from the surf on your first session including spotfin croaker and yellowfin croaker to further develop skills in picking the right rigs and tackle, reading the water, choosing and preparing baits, casting, playing fish and processing them to eat. You'll likely find yourself reeling in some bigger fish – maybe a nice skate or ray – on this session, which leads nicely into the third session.
Session 3
Lure Fishing: Saltwater Bass & California Halibut
With the confidence to target larger fish developing further, your next trip will involve targeting a trophy game fish - a California halibut, saltwater bass or seabass - on artificial baits. Throughout a morning's fishing, you'll get in-depth tuition on the key lure tactics and tackle you need to land a prized specimen like a legal size halibut (22"+), calico bass, sand bass, spotted bay bass or white seabass from shore. Reading structure, bait movements, tides and predatory behavior, bait selection and rigging are all covered one-to-one with a USA international angler and local guide.
Click for pricing 🔗 Course Two – 3 sessions: Surf Perch and Corbina + Croaker + Halibut & Bass
Course 3 – Five Guided Sessions – 20 Hours Total
Course 3 consists of five guided sessions, going in-depth on all the tactics and tackle you'll need to catch fish from the surf all year round in California. From surf perch to corbina, croaker, halibut and leopard sharks, this course covers all commonly-caught surf species.
As with all of our courses, you can book several sessions close together for a condensed learning experience (family friendly, week-long summer camp-style schedules are a popular option) – or spread them out over many weeks to suit your availability.
Session 1
Light Line Surf Fishing: Surf Perch
Surf perch are a great way to learn the basics of light line surf fishing in California and session one with your experienced professional guide will focus primarily on catching surf perch using rigs, tactics and tackle that are fun and easy to master regardless of skill set. The aim is to get plenty of bites and action.
Session 2
Light Line Surf Fishing: Corbina
Using your new beach fishing skills and knowledge, you'll target larger fish from the surf on light line surf fishing tackle during your second session including California corbina, spotfin croaker and yellowfin croaker to develop essential skills in reading the water, choosing and foraging fresh baits, casting, playing fish on light gear and correct rigging.
Session 3
Bait Fishing: Croaker (Spotfin, Yellowfin)
Next, you'll target larger fish from the surf with heavier bait fishing rods on your third session including more spotfin croaker and yellowfin croaker plus rays, small sharks and shovelnose. This will further develop skills in picking the right rigs and tackle, reading the water, choosing and preparing baits, casting, playing fish and processing them to eat. You'll likely find yourself reeling in some bigger fish on this session, which leads nicely into the fourth trip.
Session 4
Lure Fishing: Saltwater Bass & California Halibut
With the confidence to target larger fish developing further, your next session will involve targeting a trophy game fish – a California halibut, saltwater bass or seabass – on artificial baits. Throughout a morning's fishing, you'll get in-depth tuition on the key lure tactics and tackle you need to land a prized specimen like a legal size halibut (22"+), calico bass, sand bass, spotted bay bass or white seabass from shore. Reading structure, bait movements, tides and predatory behavior, bait selection and rigging are all covered one-to-one with a USA international angler and local guide.
Session 5
Big Leopard Sharks & Rays
With the confidence and skills to handle different surf species expanding, bait fishing for predators from the beach is a great way of taking your surf fishing to the next level by learning how to setup and handle species like leopard sharks and rays. Who knows what you'll find yourself attached to during this evening session?
Click for pricing 🔗 Course Three – 5 sessions: Surf Perch + Corbina + Croaker + Halibut & Bass + Sharks
Pricing and Booking Info for Complete Surf Fishing Courses
Course 1
Two Sessions: Surf Perch & Corbina + Halibut
Included:
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Two private guided surf fishing tuition sessions with an experienced CDFW-licensed, bonded, and insured guide
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Each session is about four hours long for a total of eight hours guided fishing, and can accommodate numbers from one person up to groups of six. Spectators, parents and partners welcome.
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All tackle, equipment, bait and lures are provided – all-inclusive service
-
Take home laminated setup sheets covering species, tactics, rigs and baits for easy reference
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Three months of consultancy assistance in buying tackle, session planning and troubleshooting after the course to ensure continued success
All-Inclusive Course 1 (2 sessions) Prices
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LA County Beaches; Malibu to Long Beach – $649 1–2 ppl, $799 3–4 ppl, $999 5–6 ppl
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Orange County Beaches; Seal Beach to San Clemente – $549 (1–2 ppl), $699 (3–4 ppl), $899 (5–6 ppl)
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San Diego County Beaches; Oceanside, Carlsbad, Torrey Pines etc $649 (1–2 ppl), $799 (3–4 ppl), $999 (5–6 ppl)
Course 2
Three Sessions:
Surf Perch & Corbina + Croaker + Halibut
Included:
-
Three private guided surf fishing tuition sessions with an experienced CDFW-licensed, bonded, and insured guide
-
Each session is about four hours long for a total of 12 hours guided fishing and can accommodate numbers from one person up to groups of six. Spectators, parents and partners welcome.
-
All tackle, equipment, bait and lures are provided – all-inclusive service
-
Take home laminated setup sheets covering species, tactics, rigs and baits for easy reference
-
Three months of consultancy assistance in buying tackle, session planning and troubleshooting after the course to ensure continued success
All-Inclusive Course 2 ( 3 sessions) Prices
-
LA County Beaches; Malibu to Long Beach – $949 1–2 ppl, $1249 3–4 ppl, $1499 5–6 ppl
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Orange County Beaches; Seal Beach to San Clemente – $849 (1–2 ppl), $1099 (3–4 ppl), $1299 (5–6 ppl)
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San Diego County Beaches; Oceanside, Carlsbad, Torrey Pines etc $949 (1–2 ppl), $1249 (3–4 ppl), $1499 (5–6 ppl)
Course 3
Five Sessions:
Surf Perch, Corbina, Croaker, Halibut + Sharks
Included:
-
Five private guided surf fishing tuition sessions with an experienced CDFW-licensed, bonded, and insured guide
-
Each session is about four hours long for a total of 20 hours guided fishing and can accommodate numbers from one person up to groups of six. Spectators, parents and partners welcome.
-
All tackle, equipment, bait and lures are provided – all-inclusive price
-
Take home laminated setup sheets covering species, tactics, rigs and baits for easy reference
-
Six months of consultancy assistance in buying tackle, session planning and troubleshooting after the course to ensure continued success
All-Inclusive Course 3 (5 sessions) Prices:
-
LA County Beaches; Malibu to Long Beach – $1499 1–2 ppl, $1999 3–4 ppl, $2499 5–6 ppl
-
Orange County Beaches; Seal Beach to San Clemente – $1399 1–2 ppl, $1899 3–4 ppl, $2399 5–6 ppl
-
San Diego County Beaches; Oceanside, Carlsbad, Torrey Pines etc – $1499 1–2 ppl, $1999 3–4 ppl, $2499 5–6 ppl
HOW TO BOOK YOUR SURF FISHING COURSE
For more info, a chat about our services or to book a surf fishing course please email ben@americanseafishing.com send a text or call (+1) 714-642-5770 or fill out the form below and we'll get back to you in 24 hours.
Surf Fishing Course FAQs
What are American Sea Fishing surf fishing courses?
American Sea Fishing surf fishing courses are guided, hands-on training programs in Southern California designed to teach anglers how to successfully fish from the beach. Courses are suitable for complete beginners through to experienced anglers looking to refine their skills.
Who are these surf fishing courses for?
These courses are ideal for beginners, intermediate anglers, families, visitors to Southern California, and anyone wanting structured surf fishing instruction covering a range of species. Sessions can also be adapted for anglers with ADHD, autism, or different learning styles and attention spans.
Do I need any previous fishing experience?
No prior experience is required. All courses start with the fundamentals and progress at a comfortable pace based on your ability and goals.
Is fishing gear and bait provided?
Yes. Rods, reels, tackle, bait, and terminal gear are provided during the course. You’re also welcome to bring your own equipment if you’d like help learning how to use it.
What will I learn during the course?
You’ll learn how to read beach structure, understand tides and conditions, choose the right tackle, cast effectively, present bait and lures, and target common Southern California surf species such as surf perch, corbina, halibut, sharks, and rays.
How long are the surf fishing courses?
Courses are offered in multi-session formats, including three-session and five-session programs. Sessions can be scheduled close together or spread out over time to suit your availability.
Where do the courses take place?
Courses are held on beaches throughout Southern California, including Orange County, Los Angeles County, Malibu, Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, Dana Point, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach, Bolsa Chica, Newport Beach and San Diego County.
Are the courses private or group based?
Courses are kept small and private for personalized instruction. Solo anglers, small groups, families, and friends are all welcome.
What species will we be targeting?
Target species vary by season and conditions but commonly include surf perch, croaker, corbina, California halibut, leopard sharks, and bat rays.
Do I need a California fishing license?
A California fishing license is required for anglers aged 16 and over. We can advise you on how and where to purchase one before your session.
Can courses be tailored to my goals?
Yes. Courses can be customized to focus on specific species, artificial lures, bait fishing, competition techniques, or general confidence and consistency in surf fishing.
How do I book a surf fishing course in California?
To book a course, contact American Sea Fishing via the contact form, email, or phone to discuss availability and scheduling.