I'll be driving down to Carmel for a few days next week and visiting the area from Monterey Bay to Big Sur. Been down there before and always though about taking a rod. Any suggestions? Take a rod and fish a beach or rocky area for stripers, perch, or kelp bass. Leave the rod at home and just enjoy the area.
Surf fish would be fun. there are some creeks that lead to the ocean between santa cruz and big sur but i'm not sure what restrictions are in place right now. I would google it or check a regulations book. I went down the rabbit hole one night trying to find fishable water in that area. with surf being the most obvious choice
There is a nice little fly shop down in Carmel. It looks like they just updated their website. These guys would know the best place to go and what flies. Their website is centralcoastflyfishing.com You can always go surf fishing and use something orange and tan to represent the sand crabs. Early morning is best...