Thanks for taking the time to hit me up with some info...it has already been pretty helpful. I also have a copy of Baja Catch laying around that I will read before I leave. You're right re the fact that Cerritos can be a bit treacherous with the surf, so I am prepared to enjoy a thermos of coffee instead of launching if thats what conditions warrant. Dry bags and leashes will be my friend, thats for sure.
Thanks, and feel free to post anything else you feel helpful (wire leader for sierra is something I wouldn't have done, as I shore fished with a buddies rig one time (for about 15 minutes) down there and he had tied a Kroc onto his main line...so maybe he didn't know either. Good stuff.