San Diego Harbor Kayak Fishing Tips - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Dwight Schrute · 09-15-2021, 10:21 PM

Although a native Arizonan, I grew up fishing Crystal Pier, LaJolla kelp and Coronado Islands because my grandparents lived in Pacific Beach. My brother now owns a boat slipped at Marriott Marina; I want to take advantage of that with some kayak fishing in the harbor. I would greatly appreciate any tips regarding kayak fishing the harbor. Thus far, I've been using my techniques from boat and pier fishing (except no live bait) without much luck. I've also tried freshwater bass fishing techniques using lures imitating squid and anchovy in addition to cut bait on the bottom in rocky areas. Even if I don't catch much, I love watching the aircraft from North Island NAS (I'm a USAF vet).
BTW, I release everything I catch.
Thanks,
"Dwight"

JohnMckroidJr · 09-16-2021, 05:40 AM

Sounds like you had some fun times visiting your grandparents as a kid. Welcome to the forum.

Dwight Schrute · 09-17-2021, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Sounds like you had some fun times visiting your grandparents as a kid. Welcome to the forum.

It's amazing how seemingly minor events with the right people and at the right time can have such a lasting impact.

FoodGeekFish · 09-16-2021, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Schrute

Although a native Arizonan, I grew up fishing Crystal Pier, LaJolla kelp and Coronado Islands because my grandparents lived in Pacific Beach. My brother now owns a boat slipped at Marriott Marina; I want to take advantage of that with some kayak fishing in the harbor. I would greatly appreciate any tips regarding kayak fishing the harbor. Thus far, I've been using my techniques from boat and pier fishing (except no live bait) without much luck. I've also tried freshwater bass fishing techniques using lures imitating squid and anchovy in addition to cut bait on the bottom in rocky areas. Even if I don't catch much, I love watching the aircraft from North Island NAS (I'm a USAF vet).
BTW, I release everything I catch.
Thanks,
"Dwight"

Swimbaits, tube baits, and dropshot grubs or Gulp mullet are all effective methods. Location may be more of a factor than methods - what areas of the bay are you typically fishing in?

MITCHELL · 09-17-2021, 06:57 AM

Works good, motor oil single tail grubs
And all of the above he said.
Just go with the tide in or out and scrape the bottom two poles paddling slow with the tide. I got a 32in halibut with a red lead head twin tail chartreuse sitting in a pole holder on my back pole in the elbow of the bay. What's most important is a big movement of water in the tide because the clams on the bottom open up to feed and the fish eat them. I have caught big fat spotty pooping in my lap and spitting out clams. When the tide was going out I would launch at tidelands and go all the way to the midway ship and cross over the bay and come back the other side with the incoming tide. Always check the tide and go with it. If you launch at shelter island go out to Zuniga jetty with the tide and come in with the tide. Good luck tight lines is no joke.Some guys like to drop shot on fish I always like covering alot of Water and sight seeing just watch it in the channel keep your head on a swivel for ships. Had the hellacopter come down one time and help push me out of the way, if ships have nuclear on board get way back. You will be greeted by the navy security if you get to close to somewhere your not supposed to be.

SoCalEDC · 09-17-2021, 07:45 AM

Drop shot and 1/4-1/2oz lead heads with white gulp grubs have been winners for me in the bay.

Corvina can be had using top water baits and lipped trolling baits like rapalas etc.

MITCHELL · 09-17-2021, 12:37 PM

You don't want to hook a big batray in the shipping lanes.

Dwight Schrute · 09-17-2021, 04:50 PM

I'll try more white color; I've been using blue, green, metal flake silver (essentially trying to imitate anchovie). Thank you.

Harry Hill · 09-20-2021, 05:09 PM

White fluke or Zman baits. The fluke work good but get torn up quickly, the Zman hold up to everything. I think the white looks like the belly of baitfish so it gets bit best for me.

Dwight Schrute · 09-17-2021, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHELL

Works good, motor oil single tail grubs
And all of the above he said.
Just go with the tide in or out and scrape the bottom two poles paddling slow with the tide. I got a 32in halibut with a lead head twin tail chartreuse sitting in a pole holder on my back pole in the elbow of the bay. What's most important is a big movement of water 💧in the tide because the clams on the bottom open up to feed and the fish eat them. I have caught big fat spotty pooping 💩 in my lap and spitting out clams. When the tide was going out I would launch at tidelands and go all the way to the midway ship and cross over the bay and come back the other side with the incoming tide. Always check the tide and go with it. If you launch at shelter island go out to Zuniga jetty with the tide and come in with the tide. Good luck tight lines is no joke.Some guys like to drop shot on fish I always like covering alot of Water and sight seeing just watch it in the channel keep your head on a swivel for ships. Had the hellacopter come down one time and help push me out of the way, if ships have nuclear on board get way back. You will be greeted by the navy security if you get to close to somewhere your not supposed to be.

Being an Arizonan, I have a lot to learn about water movement and tides.
Thank you very much for the insight.

Dwight Schrute · 09-17-2021, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoodGeekFish

Swimbaits, tube baits, and dropshot grubs or Gulp mullet are all effective methods. Location may be more of a factor than methods - what areas of the bay are you typically fishing in?

Embarcadero Park North to Midway (also in Tuna Harbor) and south to Coronado Bridge. Thanks for the tips.

FoodGeekFish · 09-17-2021, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Schrute

Embarcadero Park North to Midway (also in Tuna Harbor) and south to Coronado Bridge. Thanks for the tips.

I'd try launching from Chula Vista Bayfront/J St and fishing the back bay, and launching at Tidelands in Coronado and fishing the moorings, out to the channel and up to the bridge.

Alternately, a launch from Shelter Island or Kellogg Beach and head out to fish around the bait barges (watch for traffic, and they have clamped down on how close you can be in a kayak), or time the tides and ride the outgoing to Zuniga, throw swimbaits and tubes for calico bass, and then ride the tide back in.

09-15-2021, 10:21 PM	#1
Dwight Schrute Junior Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 5	San Diego Harbor Kayak Fishing Tips Although a native Arizonan, I grew up fishing Crystal Pier, LaJolla kelp and Coronado Islands because my grandparents lived in Pacific Beach. My brother now owns a boat slipped at Marriott Marina; I want to take advantage of that with some kayak fishing in the harbor. I would greatly appreciate any tips regarding kayak fishing the harbor. Thus far, I've been using my techniques from boat and pier fishing (except no live bait) without much luck. I've also tried freshwater bass fishing techniques using lures imitating squid and anchovy in addition to cut bait on the bottom in rocky areas. Even if I don't catch much, I love watching the aircraft from North Island NAS (I'm a USAF vet). BTW, I release everything I catch. Thanks, "Dwight"

09-17-2021, 06:57 AM	#5
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,277	Gulp 3in shrimp bait Works good, motor oil single tail grubs And all of the above he said. Just go with the tide in or out and scrape the bottom two poles paddling slow with the tide. I got a 32in halibut with a red lead head twin tail chartreuse sitting in a pole holder on my back pole in the elbow of the bay. What's most important is a big movement of water in the tide because the clams on the bottom open up to feed and the fish eat them. I have caught big fat spotty pooping in my lap and spitting out clams. When the tide was going out I would launch at tidelands and go all the way to the midway ship and cross over the bay and come back the other side with the incoming tide. Always check the tide and go with it. If you launch at shelter island go out to Zuniga jetty with the tide and come in with the tide. Good luck tight lines is no joke.Some guys like to drop shot on fish I always like covering alot of Water and sight seeing just watch it in the channel keep your head on a swivel for ships. Had the hellacopter come down one time and help push me out of the way, if ships have nuclear on board get way back. You will be greeted by the navy security if you get to close to somewhere your not supposed to be. __________________ Duke Mitchell Last edited by MITCHELL; 09-17-2021 at 07:51 PM.

09-17-2021, 07:45 AM	#6
SoCalEDC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 609	Drop shot and 1/4-1/2oz lead heads with white gulp grubs have been winners for me in the bay. Corvina can be had using top water baits and lipped trolling baits like rapalas etc. __________________ IG: @blackflag_fishing Youtube: Blackflag Fishing 2014 Ocean Kayak T13 SOLD 2020 Hobie Outback SOLD 2021 Stealth Fisha 500 #StealthTribe

09-17-2021, 12:37 PM	#7
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,277	I would avoid using squid in the channel You don't want to hook a big batray in the shipping lanes. __________________ Duke Mitchell

09-20-2021, 05:09 PM	#9
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	White fluke or Zman baits. The fluke work good but get torn up quickly, the Zman hold up to everything. I think the white looks like the belly of baitfish so it gets bit best for me. __________________ you can't eat it if you release it

09-16-2021, 05:40 AM	#2
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,945	Sounds like you had some fun times visiting your grandparents as a kid. Welcome to the forum.

09-17-2021, 04:50 PM	#8
Dwight Schrute Junior Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 5	I'll try more white color; I've been using blue, green, metal flake silver (essentially trying to imitate anchovie). Thank you.