Hooked on the Outdoors

Ask Robson Dufau why he still fishes after more than five decades, and he doesn't talk about trophies or record catches. What keeps him coming back is the time spent outdoors. Whether he's casting from a pier or taking his 13-foot boat onto the water, the experience itself is the reward. 

When Dufau talks about fishing, he never claims to be an expert. In fact, that's one of the first things he says. "I'm not an expert fisherman," he said. "I've just been fishing since I was a little kid. I like fishing. It's fun. I just try to catch fish." 

That modest attitude took root during his childhood on the piers of Southern California. It followed him ever since, all the way to the coasts he explores on his boat today.

His introduction to fishing wasn't through a guide or a class, but through curiosity. After his family relocated to the U.S. from Brazil, weekend outings to Venice Pier became a regular tradition. His mother enjoyed cooking seafood, and while watching anglers catch fish and crabs, Dufau began asking questions. One stranger took the time to show him how to catch crabs using a homemade trap fashioned from an old bicycle rim with netting, rope, and a weight. 

Before long the family had purchased a simple rod from a sporting goods store, and Dufau learned by doing. Looking back, Dufau said what stood out most wasn't the equipment, it was the people. 

That welcoming spirit is one reason fishing remains such a big part of his life, just as his sense of humor remains a big part of his fishing experience. 

One of his favorite stories is about the "thumbfish" — not an actual species, but the nickname he gave to the day a fish hook became embedded in his thumb and sent him to the emergency room. "It's all part of it," he said. "You get hurt, you cut yourself, you slip, you fall." Even the mishaps have become part of the adventure.

Over the years, Dufau has tried several forms of recreational fishing. He started on public piers where anglers simply lower a line into the water instead of making long casts. Today, he also enjoys surf fishing – casting from the beach with a longer rod to reach past the break –  and spends many weekends fishing from his boat around the Long Beach jetties. Each style offers something different, but he believes beginners don't need expensive equipment to get started. A basic rod and reel is enough, and most of the learning comes from spending time on the water and talking to other anglers. 

Fishing also comes with rules that every angler should understand. Dufau explained that California's public piers allow fishing without a license, although anglers must still follow regulations covering fish size, seasons, and catch limits. Once you move to the beach or fish from most other locations, a California fishing license is required. 

"You don't need a license on the pier," he explained, "but you've got to follow all the laws." He encourages beginners to become familiar with regulations before heading out, both to protect fish populations and to avoid an unexpected visit from a game warden.

Owning a boat eventually became the next step in his fishing journey. After years of fishing from piers and shorelines, he wanted to explore new areas. His boat gives him that freedom, although he admits it also came with new responsibilities. Boaters must watch changing weather, rough water, and other traffic – including jet skis – especially on busy weekends. 

As for the perfect time to fish, Dufau doesn’t chase a perfect formula, but he’s noticed a pattern. Around San Diego, he says the bite tends to pick up near sunrise and then quiet down through the late morning. "Maybe they just woke up," he joked. "They're hungry. They want breakfast." 

Still, Dufau says fishing has never been just about bringing something home. "What I always tell everybody [is] what I catch when I go out there is a bunch of fun," he said. For him, that's what fishing has always been about.

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