Cardiff Reef Report - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dsafety · 02-04-2009, 10:29 AM

Tuesday was another beautiful day, (just like Monday and most of the last week). I had not been out on my kayak for over a month so I decided to give Cardiff a try.

The bad news is that someone has put up a parking meter in the former Charlie's parking lot. They want $5 to park there these days. The lot, of course, was empty. Let's hear it for good old fashion American greed. The good news is that there was plenty of parking on Coast Hwy south of the restaurants.

Although the wind was up a bit, the surf was very small. I made it out without hitting a swell. The water was clear and not too cold. I peddled to the kelp and worked the beds with a scampi. It was pretty dead. I did manage to catch one small rock fish but that was the end of the action.

The wind and current made it difficult to stay on a spot. Although the fishing was slow, it was such a pretty day that I did not care. After a while I was joined by two pairs of dolphin who were foraging in the kelp. I have never seen dolphin swimming deep in a kelp forest before. They were fun to watch. Maybe they scared away the rest of the fish. My poor luck could not have have any relationship to my poor fishing skills... could it?

Cardiff may not have the bounty that we expect in La Jolla, but for those of us who live in North County, it is a good second choice with easy access and a short paddle, (or peddle) to the beds. I spent a few hours on the water and headed in for an uneventful landing. Life is good.

If anyone has tips on how to coax a few fish out of this location, I would love to hear suggestions.

Bob

dos ballenas · 02-04-2009, 11:23 AM

Cardiff can get hot, La Jolla may be more consistent, but also more crowded. There is a lot of diversity in terms of structure in between the cardiff kelp and seaside... Work outside the kelp around 90- 115 with a big greenie and eventually you will come to love Cardiff.

Bait is usually easy in between the pipe and the kelp or out deeper in 100 ft of water I always find macs on the bottom. Drag one deep and maybe you will find halibut land

j mo · 02-04-2009, 11:53 AM

Don’t worry it will be a matter of time before someone shoves a bar of wax in the machine- Free parking....

Try the campground area midway between the shore and kelp on a rising tide. There is a lot of good structure in less than 20' of water- which will yield you bass o plenty and as pointed out in other posts larger model flatys.

As far as plastics go- I’ve stuck with scampi (root beer & green/tan glitter) over the years- if it isn’t broke.... It may take you a while to figure out your retrieve but once you do, easy pickings.

I’ve been spending a lot of time in LJ with another buddy since I got my Kayak. I’d say too much time as I haven’t got much to show for it

(I can make bait like a pro!) He’s been right, no need to overlook what’s right in your backyard.

These conditions have been epic for launching too; the only real problem with the area. I put on an amazing "yard sale" show for the lunch crowd at The Chart House when I first got my kayak in 3' surf. Broken rods stuff floating everywhere and my fishing buddy laughing at me ( that was the worst part).

It would be cool to fish it up with a few North County guys

Best,
Josh

1Flatfish · 02-04-2009, 01:25 PM

Hey Bob and Josh. Look for the North County Kayak Anglers to put together a fishing get-together for Cardiff soon. Come fish with us. It will most likely be posted on Meetup.com first, then make it's way to theses sites. Join us through Meetup.com (easy and free) and you will always be notified when we have a fishing group get together. I just got back from speaking with Nate Clookie and he's gonna post it up soon I hope.

Wayne

j mo · 02-04-2009, 01:54 PM

will do

Quilted Germ · 02-04-2009, 02:53 PM

Hey Josh, thanks for the memories. I'm sure those at The Chart House won't forget that day either. I look forward to the North County Kayak Anglers showing me how to fish our local grounds....

dsafety · 02-04-2009, 04:22 PM

Hey Wayne,

I went to meeting.com but could not find your group listed under "North County Kayak Anglers. Only Plastic Navy show up in north county. Is that the same group? Please send me the link so I can get on the mailing list.

Bob

j mo · 02-05-2009, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quilted Germ

Hey Josh, thanks for the memories. I'm sure those at The Chart House won't forget that day either. I look forward to the North County Kayak Anglers showing me how to fish our local grounds....

Hey Gregg,
Do you know what I remember most- you catching 0 fish, again....

ZING!

02-04-2009, 10:29 AM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	Cardiff Reef Report Tuesday was another beautiful day, (just like Monday and most of the last week). I had not been out on my kayak for over a month so I decided to give Cardiff a try. The bad news is that someone has put up a parking meter in the former Charlie's parking lot. They want $5 to park there these days. The lot, of course, was empty. Let's hear it for good old fashion American greed. The good news is that there was plenty of parking on Coast Hwy south of the restaurants. Although the wind was up a bit, the surf was very small. I made it out without hitting a swell. The water was clear and not too cold. I peddled to the kelp and worked the beds with a scampi. It was pretty dead. I did manage to catch one small rock fish but that was the end of the action. The wind and current made it difficult to stay on a spot. Although the fishing was slow, it was such a pretty day that I did not care. After a while I was joined by two pairs of dolphin who were foraging in the kelp. I have never seen dolphin swimming deep in a kelp forest before. They were fun to watch. Maybe they scared away the rest of the fish. My poor luck could not have have any relationship to my poor fishing skills... could it? Cardiff may not have the bounty that we expect in La Jolla, but for those of us who live in North County, it is a good second choice with easy access and a short paddle, (or peddle) to the beds. I spent a few hours on the water and headed in for an uneventful landing. Life is good. If anyone has tips on how to coax a few fish out of this location, I would love to hear suggestions. Bob

02-04-2009, 11:23 AM	#2
dos ballenas Vampyroteuthis infernalis Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 585	Cardiff can get hot, La Jolla may be more consistent, but also more crowded. There is a lot of diversity in terms of structure in between the cardiff kelp and seaside... Work outside the kelp around 90- 115 with a big greenie and eventually you will come to love Cardiff. Bait is usually easy in between the pipe and the kelp or out deeper in 100 ft of water I always find macs on the bottom. Drag one deep and maybe you will find halibut land __________________ ____________________________________________

02-04-2009, 11:53 AM	#3
j mo Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Encinitas Posts: 600	Don’t worry it will be a matter of time before someone shoves a bar of wax in the machine- Free parking.... Try the campground area midway between the shore and kelp on a rising tide. There is a lot of good structure in less than 20' of water- which will yield you bass o plenty and as pointed out in other posts larger model flatys. As far as plastics go- I’ve stuck with scampi (root beer & green/tan glitter) over the years- if it isn’t broke.... It may take you a while to figure out your retrieve but once you do, easy pickings. I’ve been spending a lot of time in LJ with another buddy since I got my Kayak. I’d say too much time as I haven’t got much to show for it (I can make bait like a pro!) He’s been right, no need to overlook what’s right in your backyard. These conditions have been epic for launching too; the only real problem with the area. I put on an amazing "yard sale" show for the lunch crowd at The Chart House when I first got my kayak in 3' surf. Broken rods stuff floating everywhere and my fishing buddy laughing at me ( that was the worst part). It would be cool to fish it up with a few North County guys Best, Josh Last edited by j mo; 02-04-2009 at 08:12 PM.

02-04-2009, 01:25 PM	#4
1Flatfish Wayne Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 98	Cardiff Hey Bob and Josh. Look for the North County Kayak Anglers to put together a fishing get-together for Cardiff soon. Come fish with us. It will most likely be posted on Meetup.com first, then make it's way to theses sites. Join us through Meetup.com (easy and free) and you will always be notified when we have a fishing group get together. I just got back from speaking with Nate Clookie and he's gonna post it up soon I hope. Wayne

02-04-2009, 01:54 PM	#5
j mo Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Encinitas Posts: 600	will do

02-04-2009, 02:53 PM	#6
Quilted Germ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cardiff, Ca Posts: 185	Hey Josh, thanks for the memories. I'm sure those at The Chart House won't forget that day either. I look forward to the North County Kayak Anglers showing me how to fish our local grounds....

02-04-2009, 04:22 PM	#7
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	Hey Wayne, I went to meeting.com but could not find your group listed under "North County Kayak Anglers. Only Plastic Navy show up in north county. Is that the same group? Please send me the link so I can get on the mailing list. Bob