Fishing Outside of NewPort Harbor - Tips On How To Do It - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

daperrin · 04-19-2017, 03:21 PM

I was thinking of getting some live bait at the barge and going outside the harbor entrance and do some fishing. Can you guys please share some tips on what is my best bet to catch something? Would I use a 3 oz sinker and fish near the bottom? How far out or deep should I be? Looks like a nice weather for the weekend so I would like to take advantage and venture out a bit.

Thanks in advance for any help

David.

ROSSOLY · 04-19-2017, 07:50 PM

Outside of the harbor I only fished the scare kelp beds off CDM using plastics for calicos. When the bones are around, they can be had at the mouth by the buoy. To drop down, I think you need a FF.

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Edwardduran117 · 04-20-2017, 06:49 AM

I went outside the harbor for the first time on Easter. Was a few 100 yards away from the buoy and caught some rockfish. Don't have a fish finder or any fancy stuff but it's pretty deep there I used a 6 oz weight and got to the bottom pretty quick. Probably heading out this weekend as well either tomorrow or Sunday!

goldenglory18 · 04-20-2017, 07:25 AM

How are the water conditions out there? I'm still looking to find a somewhat calm starter area to get myself out of the bays.

Edwardduran117 · 04-20-2017, 07:46 AM

The bay is not bad at all but once you leave the jetties boat traffic causes most the problem. Water is pretty calm until a few boaters pass by

OCPhisher · 04-20-2017, 07:37 AM

With no fishfinder that's a sound strategy. Just head out past the buoy (100 yds or more) drop a line and drift. If no nibbles then reset your drift but go out 50 yds further (deeper).

I'd make sure to have up to 8 or 10 oz sinkers with you too just in case current is ripping. But I'm typically using 4 to 8 oz.

I seem to get more bites south of the harbor opening too.

I've never used live bait (mostly gulp mullets and squid strips for bottomfishing) but last year I know some folks were catching nice sized lings on live bait. I've tried pinning a lizard fish (bycatch) on a hook and sending down but haven't caught anything exciting yet.

You can also troll live bait inside the harbor. I know of some decent sized halibut caught doing that. But you'll have to contend with the sea lions.

Good luck!

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jruiz · 04-20-2017, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCPhisher

With no fishfinder that's a sound strategy. Just head out past the buoy (100 yds or more) drop a line and drift. If no nibbles then reset your drift but go out 50 yds further (deeper).

I'd make sure to have up to 8 or 10 oz sinkers with you too just in case current is ripping. But I'm typically using 4 to 8 oz.

I seem to get more bites south of the harbor opening too.

I've never used live bait (mostly gulp mullets and squid strips for bottomfishing) but last year I know some folks were catching nice sized lings on live bait. I've tried pinning a lizard fish (bycatch) on a hook and sending down but haven't caught anything exciting yet.

You can also troll live bait inside the harbor. I know of some decent sized halibut caught doing that. But you'll have to contend with the sea lions.

Good luck!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

If you go far enough you'll be fishing >360ft for rockfish. I hear the deeper the tastier.

If you don't have a fishfinder, at least be familiar with the area you are fishing. You can be in the canyon less than a mile from the mouth of the harbor and be illegally fishing for rockfish.

OCPhisher · 04-20-2017, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jruiz

If you go far enough you'll be fishing >360ft for rockfish. I hear the deeper the tastier.

If you don't have a fishfinder, at least be familiar with the area you are fishing. You can be in the canyon less than a mile from the mouth of the harbor and be illegally fishing for rockfish.

Excellent point. Thanks for posting that. I've got FF and haven't ventured further out than getting to around 290 ft or so.

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Edwardduran117 · 04-20-2017, 11:00 AM

Thanks for the info!! I'm trying to target lingcod next time I go out do you guys know any specific spots to land on them?

DPevin · 04-20-2017, 12:32 PM

Check the surf report before you go. There is suppose to be some swell this weekend. But it might miss newport.

doggmann · 06-09-2017, 07:41 PM

Illegally fishing for rockfish?

YakDout · 06-10-2017, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doggmann

Illegally fishing for rockfish?

Depth restrictions for rockfishing.

doggmann · 06-10-2017, 08:18 PM

Take is prohibited seaward of the 60 fathom depth contour (360 feet), defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C)

finyak · 04-20-2017, 03:25 PM

Hookup baits!

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ore714 · 04-20-2017, 03:53 PM

I was planning on going out on Sunday morning and doing the same thing. it will be my first time. Last time I fished Newport Harbor I asked a guy that was going outside the harbor on what to look for when fishing for rock fish. Basically he said head out the harbor until you hit 180 to 200 feet of water and look for rock piles on the fish finder then start fishing those areas and maybe a littler deeper. My game plan is to try and make a little bait at the harbor mouth and then head out into deeper water and look for spots to fish for rock fish then maybe hit the Corona Del Mar kelp beds if I have time on the way back. Just for fun I will probably troll a mack on way out and back who knows I might get lucky!

If you are fishing deep definitely use 8 to 10 ounces of lead and strips of squid is probably the best bait rock fish,

good luck!

hilarioushilari0 · 04-20-2017, 04:54 PM

Looks like there will be a few of us out there this Sunday. Where is everyone launching from?

OCPhisher · 04-21-2017, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilarioushilari0

Looks like there will be a few of us out there this Sunday. Where is everyone launching from?

I usually launch from the Coast Guard station. On weekends you're allowed to park on both sides of the parking lot, but it fills up pretty quickly. I've gotten there around 7-7:30 and the lot was already full. I believe you're allowed to park there as early as 6 am, but don't leave your car there any earlier than posted time. I know people have been ticketed.

ore714 · 04-21-2017, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCPhisher

I usually launch from the Coast Guard station. On weekends you're allowed to park on both sides of the parking lot, but it fills up pretty quickly. I've gotten there around 7-7:30 and the lot was already full. I believe you're allowed to park there as early as 6 am, but don't leave your car there any earlier than posted time. I know people have been ticketed.

I didn't know there were certain time you could park there only not to park on the station side thanks for in the info. I will probably be launching on the other side of the harbor from a small beach "KID BEACH" on balboa peninsula where the last public dock is before the wedge. Usually pretty easy to find a close parking spot in you get there early but there isn't much since its street parking. A little easier to get in the water here since it very close to street but minimal parking and no bathrooms.

Amish Ed · 04-21-2017, 03:01 PM

They will cite you. I know from experience. Launched at 5:30 and came back to a hefty fine.

04-19-2017, 03:21 PM	#1
daperrin www.TheKayakLaunch Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Orange County Posts: 234	Fishing Outside of NewPort Harbor - Tips On How To Do It I was thinking of getting some live bait at the barge and going outside the harbor entrance and do some fishing. Can you guys please share some tips on what is my best bet to catch something? Would I use a 3 oz sinker and fish near the bottom? How far out or deep should I be? Looks like a nice weather for the weekend so I would like to take advantage and venture out a bit. Thanks in advance for any help David. __________________ David P YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thekayaklaunch https://www.instagram.com/thekayaklaunch

06-09-2017, 07:41 PM	#11
doggmann Junior Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Gabriel Valley, CA Posts: 21	Illegally fishing for rockfish? __________________

06-10-2017, 08:18 PM	#13
doggmann Junior Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Gabriel Valley, CA Posts: 21	Take is prohibited seaward of the 60 fathom depth contour (360 feet), defined in Federal regulations (50 CFR Part 660, Subpart C) __________________

04-20-2017, 03:53 PM	#15
ore714 Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Costa Mesa Posts: 34	game plan I was planning on going out on Sunday morning and doing the same thing. it will be my first time. Last time I fished Newport Harbor I asked a guy that was going outside the harbor on what to look for when fishing for rock fish. Basically he said head out the harbor until you hit 180 to 200 feet of water and look for rock piles on the fish finder then start fishing those areas and maybe a littler deeper. My game plan is to try and make a little bait at the harbor mouth and then head out into deeper water and look for spots to fish for rock fish then maybe hit the Corona Del Mar kelp beds if I have time on the way back. Just for fun I will probably troll a mack on way out and back who knows I might get lucky! If you are fishing deep definitely use 8 to 10 ounces of lead and strips of squid is probably the best bait rock fish, good luck!

04-21-2017, 03:01 PM	#19
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	They will cite you. I know from experience. Launched at 5:30 and came back to a hefty fine. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

04-19-2017, 07:50 PM	#2
ROSSOLY Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 120	Outside of the harbor I only fished the scare kelp beds off CDM using plastics for calicos. When the bones are around, they can be had at the mouth by the buoy. To drop down, I think you need a FF. Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

04-20-2017, 06:49 AM	#3
Edwardduran117 Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 34	I went outside the harbor for the first time on Easter. Was a few 100 yards away from the buoy and caught some rockfish. Don't have a fish finder or any fancy stuff but it's pretty deep there I used a 6 oz weight and got to the bottom pretty quick. Probably heading out this weekend as well either tomorrow or Sunday!

04-20-2017, 07:25 AM	#4
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	How are the water conditions out there? I'm still looking to find a somewhat calm starter area to get myself out of the bays.

04-20-2017, 07:46 AM	#5
Edwardduran117 Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 34	The bay is not bad at all but once you leave the jetties boat traffic causes most the problem. Water is pretty calm until a few boaters pass by

04-20-2017, 07:37 AM	#6
OCPhisher Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 42	With no fishfinder that's a sound strategy. Just head out past the buoy (100 yds or more) drop a line and drift. If no nibbles then reset your drift but go out 50 yds further (deeper). I'd make sure to have up to 8 or 10 oz sinkers with you too just in case current is ripping. But I'm typically using 4 to 8 oz. I seem to get more bites south of the harbor opening too. I've never used live bait (mostly gulp mullets and squid strips for bottomfishing) but last year I know some folks were catching nice sized lings on live bait. I've tried pinning a lizard fish (bycatch) on a hook and sending down but haven't caught anything exciting yet. You can also troll live bait inside the harbor. I know of some decent sized halibut caught doing that. But you'll have to contend with the sea lions. Good luck! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

04-20-2017, 11:00 AM	#9
Edwardduran117 Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 34	Thanks for the info!! I'm trying to target lingcod next time I go out do you guys know any specific spots to land on them?

04-20-2017, 12:32 PM	#10
DPevin Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Dana Point Posts: 96	Check the surf report before you go. There is suppose to be some swell this weekend. But it might miss newport.

04-20-2017, 03:25 PM	#14
finyak Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 332	Hookup baits! Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

04-20-2017, 04:54 PM	#16
hilarioushilari0 Junior Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 3	Looks like there will be a few of us out there this Sunday. Where is everyone launching from?