A day in the bay only 1-inch away - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

iethinker · 03-06-2016, 02:49 PM

This is a kayak fishing report from San Diego Bay on 3/5/2016.

Well it's not officially spring yet but the waters of San Diego Bay felt warm and multiple species were on the bite! The weather was mostly cloudy with growing wind and I was glad to get this session in before the rain storms returned in force. I guess El Nino has it's ups and downs.

Here are highlights from the trip:

Spotted Bay Bass - These were the most abundant takers and comprised the majority of my catches.

Another One:

Halibut - This Halibut was 21-inches long and thus only 1-inch away from "keeper" status. Lucky for him! He inhaled my swimbait but I could see it so I reached in to pull it out. Well...I'll never do that again. These fish have sharp teeth and bite hard! My finger bled pretty bad thus providing him the taste of revenge.

Yellow Fin Croaker - This YFC gave a good fight.

Bonefish - The best fights of the day belong to the Bonefish.

Another Bonefish - I was lucky to catch a total of four of these today.

Smoothound Shark - No fishing trip on the bay is complete without one of these!

All fish seemed fat, happy and were returned to the water unharmed. I'll be back for that Halibut in a few months though.

Thanks
Matt

2-Stix · 03-06-2016, 02:53 PM

productive day...fun city!

Phishphood · 03-06-2016, 03:20 PM

Very nice. What did the bone fish hit?

Zed · 03-06-2016, 06:18 PM

Quote:

returned to the water unharmed.

The gill grab isnt doing them any favors. Nice glass day.

JeffB · 03-06-2016, 08:13 PM

Very nice little mixed bag on the bay!

taggermike · 03-07-2016, 07:33 AM

Looks like a great day. Did the bone fish bite on plastics? I can catch them on bait but have only caught 2 over the years on lures. Also, are you seeing many yellow fin croaker? The last 5 years or so they have been scarce for me. They used to be a decent part of most catches in the south bay on bait and lures. Mike.

C.W.C. · 03-07-2016, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zed

The gill grab isnt doing them any favors..

X1000..
The fish handling skills of some of the best west 'pros' is also quite alarming..
Now add to it the gloves which can catch on the rakers and easily tear..
Bass thumb is a gift!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_gill

•

acorad · 03-07-2016, 08:54 AM

We are veering way OT here, but speaking of fish handling, I saw an episode yesterday of Trev Gowdy's Monster Fish where the gaffed a Kingfish, and then released it. National freakin tv.

Andy

Caseym · 03-07-2016, 09:20 AM

What would you experts recommend he do when bringing up a short butt?
Rubber net maybe...

Aaron&Julie · 03-08-2016, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zed

The gill grab isnt doing them any favors. Nice glass day.

Sounds like a very fun and productive day. Nicely done.

I do agree with Zed, with any fish that has a size limit, gill grabs are a no-no. Leave them in the net, or lay it on the deck and put a hand on it's side to unhook it, and then measure it. You may remove some protective slim, but it's less harmful those ways.

tamddo714 · 03-07-2016, 10:50 AM

I use lip grippers for halibuts

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pinhead · 03-07-2016, 12:36 PM

Atta boy! Nice job on the feesh.

I saw you out there. I was fishing with my buddy on his Aluminum...wishin' I was on my Yak. .........Next time.

Keep up the good work.

corpsmanusn2001 · 03-07-2016, 04:34 PM

Nice variety!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

eekamouse463 · 03-07-2016, 05:27 PM

Bone fish fight hard?

Phishphood · 03-08-2016, 06:33 PM

You lose a little less slime if you get your hands/deck wet before fish contact.

03-06-2016, 02:49 PM	#1
iethinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Inland Empire Posts: 370	A day in the bay only 1-inch away This is a kayak fishing report from San Diego Bay on 3/5/2016. Well it's not officially spring yet but the waters of San Diego Bay felt warm and multiple species were on the bite! The weather was mostly cloudy with growing wind and I was glad to get this session in before the rain storms returned in force. I guess El Nino has it's ups and downs. Here are highlights from the trip: Spotted Bay Bass - These were the most abundant takers and comprised the majority of my catches. Another One: Halibut - This Halibut was 21-inches long and thus only 1-inch away from "keeper" status. Lucky for him! He inhaled my swimbait but I could see it so I reached in to pull it out. Well...I'll never do that again. These fish have sharp teeth and bite hard! My finger bled pretty bad thus providing him the taste of revenge. Yellow Fin Croaker - This YFC gave a good fight. Bonefish - The best fights of the day belong to the Bonefish. Another Bonefish - I was lucky to catch a total of four of these today. Smoothound Shark - No fishing trip on the bay is complete without one of these! All fish seemed fat, happy and were returned to the water unharmed. I'll be back for that Halibut in a few months though. Thanks Matt Last edited by iethinker; 03-07-2016 at 05:50 PM. Reason: faux pas, etc...

03-06-2016, 08:13 PM	#5
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: La Jolla Posts: 1,216	Very nice little mixed bag on the bay! __________________ If you're looking for me I'm Last edited by JeffB; 03-07-2016 at 05:38 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-06-2016, 02:53 PM	#2
2-Stix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 376	productive day...fun city!

03-06-2016, 03:20 PM	#3
Phishphood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 346	Very nice. What did the bone fish hit?

03-07-2016, 07:33 AM	#6
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Looks like a great day. Did the bone fish bite on plastics? I can catch them on bait but have only caught 2 over the years on lures. Also, are you seeing many yellow fin croaker? The last 5 years or so they have been scarce for me. They used to be a decent part of most catches in the south bay on bait and lures. Mike.

03-07-2016, 08:54 AM	#8
acorad Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Agoura Hills Posts: 166	We are veering way OT here, but speaking of fish handling, I saw an episode yesterday of Trev Gowdy's Monster Fish where the gaffed a Kingfish, and then released it. National freakin tv. Andy

03-07-2016, 09:20 AM	#9
Caseym Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Temecula Posts: 194	What would you experts recommend he do when bringing up a short butt? Rubber net maybe...

03-07-2016, 10:50 AM	#11
tamddo714 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 273	I use lip grippers for halibuts Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03-07-2016, 12:36 PM	#12
Pinhead We all Stink Sometimes! Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 174	Atta boy! Nice job on the feesh. I saw you out there. I was fishing with my buddy on his Aluminum...wishin' I was on my Yak. .........Next time. Keep up the good work.

03-07-2016, 04:34 PM	#13
corpsmanusn2001 Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 65	Nice variety! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

03-07-2016, 05:27 PM	#14
eekamouse463 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: MISSION BEACH Posts: 76	Bone fish fight hard?

03-08-2016, 06:33 PM	#15
Phishphood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 346	You lose a little less slime if you get your hands/deck wet before fish contact.