Haven't been fishing for a long time, and really feeling the itch. Checked out the beach at 26th ave, but too much surf for my liking. Went down to Capitola pier again, and tried casting in the surf with the 8wt Albright rod (didn't blow up) and the wet tip express 250gr line. Very frustrating.. caught nothing but seaweed (lots of it) and I REALLY need to make myself a stripping basket. I don't see how folks do it without. Shooting line just tangles around my feet. I ended up casting from the pier. Here's how it works: strip in until 30' or so hang from the rod tip vertically. Then do a large round loop backcast and shoot. Possibly false cast once to shoot line out on the backcast before the final forecast. End of the line often lands in a bit of a heap, but it works. Fish.. no. The bait guys weren't catching anything either. Ol guy I talked to said there were tons of skates out by the end of the pier. I think I'll come back and try it again, with the 12wt and T14 line. In case I hook something, I can winch it up to the pier. I want a boat.