First time to La Jolla questions - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

hiramehunter · 09-06-2018, 04:06 PM

Hey guys,
I think I'm ready to go try out La Jolla!
I've been kayak fishing Redondo for about 5 years and I need a change of scenery. But i had some questions before I head down there...

1. Is fall a good time to fish down there?
2. I have an OK Trident 13 but no bait tank. I was thinking of making bait and having a fly line setup ready to go. Can i try targeting YTs with just irons?
3. Should i have frozen squid for backup?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Ed

TJones · 09-06-2018, 04:35 PM

to fish LJ and there is nothing wrong with trying to hit it in the fall season. try to piece together a bait tube though so you will have a few spare pieces of bait. strictly irons and no bait would be more associated with winter home guards, but yellows will inhale an iron year round. its never a bad idea, especially when making a long journey to have a backup plan like dead sticking a squid tipped iron. this is a very effective technique. keep a posted how you do.

tacmik · 09-06-2018, 05:19 PM

Trident 13 is an awesome kayak for La Jolla. Go and make a bait tube. I use mine out there a lot and if you put a 10 ft. line, it will track behind the yak and not affect the tracking, will keep bait alive almost all day. Anytime you get out on the water is the correct time to go fishing. Good luck and let us know how you did. There is a learning curve so don't get to disappointed if you don't get your yt.

hiramehunter · 09-06-2018, 06:41 PM

Thanks guys! It sounds like a diy bait tube is in order.
How are you guys targeting YT when they’re holding like at 120’?
Dropped loop with a greenback? Long leader?

TJones · 09-07-2018, 09:08 AM

nose hooked greenback. ringed hook to match bait appropriately. 1/0 - 2/0 would be my choice. short top shot of floro with some 50 - 65 lb braid. standard kelp cutter rig. high probability you will need it. 25- 30 lb floro is a safe bet. so cal fish are a whole different breed of yellows are and super finicky. Carolina rig is a good rig or dropper style setup will work also.

hiramehunter · 09-07-2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJones

nose hooked greenback. ringed hook to match bait appropriately. 1/0 - 2/0 would be my choice. short top shot of floro with some 50 - 65 lb braid. standard kelp cutter rig. high probability you will need it. 25- 30 lb floro is a safe bet. so cal fish are a whole different breed of yellows are and super finicky. Carolina rig is a good rig or dropper style setup will work also.

Perfect! Thank you for your response!

hiramehunter · 09-07-2018, 10:54 AM

How much of a pain is it if I bring a kayak trailer?
I'm assuming I'll need to park further away and roll down to the launch.
Also, how wide is the beach? cause i don't have those cool Wheelez cart.

YakDout · 09-07-2018, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiramehunter

How much of a pain is it if I bring a kayak trailer?

I'm assuming I'll need to park further away and roll down to the launch.

Also, how wide is the beach? cause i don't have those cool Wheelez cart.

Theres usually enough room at the launch to bring your trailer down. Way easier than rolling your kayak especially if you don’t have a cool wheeleez cart. I wouldn’t even attempt it unless you have 4 by though .

TJones · 09-07-2018, 02:37 PM

1st and 3rd thursday restricted, and 2nd and 4th Thursday restricted. read sign carefully. don't show up on a Saturday at 10:00 am during summer and expect to find parking. they also have a free public parking lot couple hundred yards from launch. definitely going to need wheels. lot hours are 04:30 am - 10:30 pm. correct me if I am off slightly?

hiramehunter · 09-07-2018, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJones

they also have a free public parking lot couple hundred yards from launch. definitely going to need wheels. lot hours are 04:30 am - 10:30 pm. correct me if I am off slightly?

This is great! I checked it out on Google Maps. This helps with knowing all of my options.

I'll also probably spend the night at my brothers house in Encinitas and hopefully launch at first light. Most likely will be over the weekend since i got a 8x5 job.

hiramehunter · 09-07-2018, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YakDout

I wouldn’t even attempt it unless you have 4 by though .

Unfortunately my suburban is 2wd!

YakDout · 09-07-2018, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiramehunter

Unfortunately my suburban is 2wd!

With a trailer, that’s asking to get stuck.

TJones · 09-07-2018, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YakDout

With a trailer, that’s asking to get stuck.

I have also pulled vehicles out with my truck. I have even helped push them out with a few other able body's. well, you know the horror stories.

. the worst thing to do, is stop on the soft sand. air down and keep the vehicle moving. stop only on packed sand. oddly enough, heavy vehicles could have more trouble without 4 wd locked in. a small trailer on back might put just the right amount of weight over back axle? hard to say. I would play it safe and get some wheels.

09-06-2018, 04:06 PM	#1
hiramehunter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Near Palos Verdes Posts: 198	First time to La Jolla questions Hey guys, I think I'm ready to go try out La Jolla! I've been kayak fishing Redondo for about 5 years and I need a change of scenery. But i had some questions before I head down there... 1. Is fall a good time to fish down there? 2. I have an OK Trident 13 but no bait tank. I was thinking of making bait and having a fly line setup ready to go. Can i try targeting YTs with just irons? 3. Should i have frozen squid for backup? Any guidance would be much appreciated. Ed

09-06-2018, 04:35 PM	#2
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	any day is a good day to fish LJ and there is nothing wrong with trying to hit it in the fall season. try to piece together a bait tube though so you will have a few spare pieces of bait. strictly irons and no bait would be more associated with winter home guards, but yellows will inhale an iron year round. its never a bad idea, especially when making a long journey to have a backup plan like dead sticking a squid tipped iron. this is a very effective technique. keep a posted how you do.

09-06-2018, 05:19 PM	#3
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	Trident 13 is an awesome kayak for La Jolla. Go and make a bait tube. I use mine out there a lot and if you put a 10 ft. line, it will track behind the yak and not affect the tracking, will keep bait alive almost all day. Anytime you get out on the water is the correct time to go fishing. Good luck and let us know how you did. There is a learning curve so don't get to disappointed if you don't get your yt. __________________

09-07-2018, 09:08 AM	#5
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	fly line nose hooked greenback. ringed hook to match bait appropriately. 1/0 - 2/0 would be my choice. short top shot of floro with some 50 - 65 lb braid. standard kelp cutter rig. high probability you will need it. 25- 30 lb floro is a safe bet. so cal fish are a whole different breed of yellows are and super finicky. Carolina rig is a good rig or dropper style setup will work also.

09-07-2018, 02:37 PM	#9
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	lots of parking on surface streets 1st and 3rd thursday restricted, and 2nd and 4th Thursday restricted. read sign carefully. don't show up on a Saturday at 10:00 am during summer and expect to find parking. they also have a free public parking lot couple hundred yards from launch. definitely going to need wheels. lot hours are 04:30 am - 10:30 pm. correct me if I am off slightly?

09-06-2018, 06:41 PM	#4
hiramehunter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Near Palos Verdes Posts: 198	Thanks guys! It sounds like a diy bait tube is in order. How are you guys targeting YT when they’re holding like at 120’? Dropped loop with a greenback? Long leader?

09-07-2018, 10:54 AM	#7
hiramehunter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Near Palos Verdes Posts: 198	How much of a pain is it if I bring a kayak trailer? I'm assuming I'll need to park further away and roll down to the launch. Also, how wide is the beach? cause i don't have those cool Wheelez cart.