I've done a fair amount of salt water fishing, but in Baja, NJ and North Carolina and Australia. I don't bother fishing IN California, though I present myself as bait quite often here.
I;ve caught perch and large mouth bass in lakes in Florida. I was unimpressed with their fight, compared to blues or striped bass in NJ, or Barred surf perch, corvina, halibut and the roosterfish I caught in Baja.
I got spooled in Baja twice by fish unknown, but there was little chance of turning them around and my pole and line are a not so sporting 8 foot surfcaster with 12Lb test. All surf fishing.
I've handlined Tuna and Trevally in Fiji, caught Wahoo and spanish Mackerel and Mahimahi In indonesia while trolling.
I miss fishing, but i live in Southern California, and I do not see much point in pursuing it here, nor paying the license fees, or if pier fishing, standing shoulder to shoulder to those who would greedily kill a 4 inch fish.
My favorite eating fish were the Halibut I caught from shore in Baja, and the just legal sized striped bass in NJ, either surf or bay fishing.
I did get a grouper from a boat in Florida too, but was unsure its type or if it was legal, and it was So pretty I threm it back, I did keep a few sea trout I caught in the gulf. Pretty good eating.
Lures, not bait. Bait fishing, no thanks. If bait fishing, well i'd be just as happy with a baitless hook and plenty of beer.