San Onofre

[Kahouna]

My job has be standing for hours looking at the beach area and the not-so-far-away kelp. I see cattleboats and others on a consistent basis but no yaks. Is the area worth the trouble? I tried doing some searching, but I came up with very little information.

[RedSledTeam]

There are secret Rock Fishing spots off of San Onofre in 250 feet of water. Its good this year.

[flydigital]

I tell ya, I still haven't yakked SanO but I used to fish the heck out of it when I had a boat, and surfboard-fished it all the time, including north to San Mateo Point. It's a bit of a hidden gem, the whole area, from the surf line to outside the kelp. Not much pressure at all, and you can find plenty of halibut and even WSB and the occasional YT (rare but it has happened). Bass fishing is off the hook of course. Plenty of bait as well.

I only know of a couple yakkers who go out there regularly. I think the surf launch scares off most people, as it can be "fun" many times but then again there are plenty of flatter days where it is a walk in the park.

As to where to launch, I personally would launch from the north-most area of Sano surfing beach parking area - Basilone exit (there is a deeper channel and not much surf past the shorebreak), but the guys I know who do this often always go down closer to the domes, near the south-most parking area. I think it's $15 these days for the day-use parking pass and it opens around 6am. The parking abuts the sand and its only about 50 yards to the water. The kelp starts around 25-30ft and goes out to about 60ft of depth. The kelp closer to Cotton's (San Mateo) Point, and the area just outside "Upper Trestles" where sand meets rock has been very productive for me in the past. Oh, and if you are out there often enough you'll find there are plenty of Whiteys that cruise the area. Suggest not hanging fish over the side.

[Kahouna]

Thanks guys. Kinda what I figured, just needed a little more umph to push me to go. I have access to the Pendleton beach, so no fees for me. I see a place where the waves aren't quite as big as the rest on most days and figured that would be the place to try.

I was kind of planning some drifting inside the kelp for some flatties then hit inside of the kelp and work my way to the outside. Somewhere in there, I should find a fish to keep me busy.

I remember the video of whitey from last year. Makes me want to find a gopro for those "special occasions".

[Zed]

Great halibut fishing just outside the surf line, and even in close in 2 - 5 ft of water. The barn kelp is about 1.5 miles from the launch, and San Mateo ke;p is about 2. Couple other artificial reefs constructed by SDG and E in the area.

That would be SanO Kelp is about 1.5, Old Man. Heh. Barn kelp is about 6+ and better accessed from Trail 6 w/ wheels. Pendleton arti reefs about 4 from Old Man's (Just S of the checkpoint), Box Canyon ~5.

[rossman]

Once again, Zed has stumbled onto the truth

[rossman]

There can be some excellent fishing in the San O area. The only flinch I have is the surf launch at Old Mans. There are really only a couple hands full of days that are doable for me, and I'm one that surf launches on every trip. Basically when the surfers are complaining about how bad the surf is, then it is a good day to go to San O, and still there are some sneaker sets that can surprise you. especialy on the way in.

Great halibut fishing just outside the surf line, and even in close in 2 - 5 ft of water. The barn kelp is about 1.5 miles from the launch, and San Mateo ke;p is about 2. Couple other artificial reefs constructed by SDG and E in the area.

Gotta keep and eye out for the taxman. Seems to be a nursury in that area. I have an encounter almost every trip there. Either a drive by or a breach. Only 6 - 8 footers but no question greate whites.

Good luck

[buttchaser]

Originally Posted by rossman

Gotta keep and eye out for the taxman. Seems to be a nursury in that area. I have an encounter almost every trip there. Either a drive by or a breach. Only 6 - 8 footers but no question greate whites.

Good luck

I just about Poop myself the last time I fished San O, Haven't been back since 2009

[flydigital]

Originally Posted by buttchaser

I just about Poop myself the last time I fished San O, Haven't been back since 2009

ah, they're just little pups nothing to worry about!!

Funnest encounter I had was surfing Church's one day and had a decent 12 footer breach about 20 yards in front of me. That was the biggest one I've seen up close. I've seen em within 100 yards of me at least a couple dozen times over the years, usually breaching, usually much smaller in the 8ft range. There are tons out there, all up and down the coast. I try not to worry about it, sometimes its hard but fact is they are one of the smaller risks of being out there.

[flydigital]

Also I'd say there is no way to really "watch out" for them, when they want to nip they will, and chances are you won't see them first. Just use common sense, don't give them too much to get curious about (i.e. excessive splashing, panic, fish or blood, etc.). And if you do encounter one, just keep cool and leave the area.

[old_rookie]

Originally Posted by flydigital

ah, they're just little pups nothing to worry about!!

Funnest encounter I had was surfing Church's one day and had a decent 12 footer breach about 20 yards in front of me. That was the biggest one I've seen up close. I've seen em within 100 yards of me at least a couple dozen times over the years, usually breaching, usually much smaller in the 8ft range. There are tons out there, all up and down the coast. I try not to worry about it, sometimes its hard but fact is they are one of the smaller risks of being out there.

Smaller risk? What is a bigger risk than a great white near you?