Can anyone point me in the right direction

[Amish Ed]

I'm probably a rarity, but I like really light line. This time of year I think it's critical. I use 6 or 8# for bass, even fishing heavy structure. In general I don't go over 12#, and that only for dock fishing and boilers.

As far as paddling around looking for rocks, it does work. But, there aren't that many beyond about 50', at least in Laguna. As far as I know, they're really aren't many (if any) rock fish spots in Laguna. Working the sportboats for 7yrs I can only recall one rock (150') that would've held rockfish. In fact almost all the spots we fished in Laguna were located in less than 50'. Hogan's Bait and Tackle in Dana PT should have maps that will help you out a lot, they'll get you into the right areas to start looking around.