Cambria 8/1/20 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

roby · 08-08-2020, 11:04 AM

I went camping and kayak fishing with Ericko and John Ruiz this past weekend. It was a relaxing and fun trip with some rock fish, beautiful scenery, and tater-tots. We camped at a private campsite a couple of miles from the launch, since all the public campgrounds were filled. Most mornings were foggy with plenty of wind and sun in the afternoon. Our afternoon sessions were wet and wild with 15+mph winds. We caught a variety of fish from reds, blues, blacks, cabezon, and a few short lings. I was mainly using swim-baits and hook-up baits. The fellas used some plastics too and squid. The biggest rockfish came in at 5lbs or so. The high spots out in deeper water were not producing and most of the quality fish were caught in the kelp, which seems healthy and thick in certain areas. We tried shore fishing from the rocks and poking around with squid but didn't get anything. I'll have to put some more effort into shore fishing next time since it looks like there's fish to be caught. Great trip and I'm already planning the next one...

FISH11 · 08-08-2020, 02:06 PM

Looks like a great trip and good fishing. Some nice rock fish there. That first picture reminds me of when La Jolla used to have kelp beds like that, now they are just a memory. Thanks for sharing Roby, hope to see you out at La Jolla one on these days.

ekkoa · 08-08-2020, 03:09 PM

Looks great

chris138 · 08-10-2020, 09:29 AM

Tasty looking stringer! Cool trip thanks for posting.

lbsurf2ca · 08-10-2020, 12:08 PM

Anyone have an idea of the best option on campgrounds up there, public or private regardless of being full or not?

ProfessorLongArms · 08-10-2020, 12:28 PM

Thanks for sharing the stoke!
I'm starting to pack my stuff for a San Simeon trip this weekend!

SoCalEDC · 08-10-2020, 12:40 PM

looks like a blast. Nice quality fish, and the shore fishing in the rocks looks like it could be a really fun time.

jruiz · 08-10-2020, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbsurf2ca

Anyone have an idea of the best option on campgrounds up there, public or private regardless of being full or not?

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=590

kayakfisherman · 08-10-2020, 05:18 PM

Wow Roby, there's the whole package. Looks like so much fun!!!

roby · 08-10-2020, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbsurf2ca

Anyone have an idea of the best option on campgrounds up there, public or private regardless of being full or not?

1) San Simeon Creek Campground

2) Morro Bay State Park Campground

3) Islay Creek Campground

Harry Hill · 08-10-2020, 06:30 PM

Has anyone camped at El Charo on Highway 1 between SLO and Morro Bay? It isn't far to Morro from there and it seems like it would be less crowded or do they even have camping there?

jruiz · 08-10-2020, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

Has anyone camped at El Charo on Highway 1 between SLO and Morro Bay? It isn't far to Morro from there and it seems like it would be less crowded or do they even have camping there?

El chorro has overnight and day use. It's not as close to kayak launch locations as the other campgrounds suggested. IIRC, it can also get pretty hot there in the summer.

Harry Hill · 08-10-2020, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jruiz

El chorro has overnight and day use. It's not as close to kayak launch locations as the other campgrounds suggested. IIRC, it can also get pretty hot there in the summer.

thanks, I was just thinking if the better ones were full it might be an option. I know Morro Bay has some pretty good halibut spots and the launch isn't too far from El Chorro. I worry about leaving my stuff in camp anymore. I guess living in SoCal has got me paranoid about thieves.

jruiz · 08-10-2020, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

thanks, I was just thinking if the better ones were full it might be an option. I know Morro Bay has some pretty good halibut spots and the launch isn't too far from El Chorro. I worry about leaving my stuff in camp anymore. I guess living in SoCal has got me paranoid about thieves.

As far as theft is concerned, the campgrounds to the north of SLO don't have much of a problem in that regard. Campgrounds in Pismo, Oceano, and SLO can sometimes have homeless encampments nearby where you might end up with a bicycle or propane tank missing after leaving camp for the day.

Harry Hill · 08-11-2020, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jruiz

As far as theft is concerned, the campgrounds to the north of SLO don't have much of a problem in that regard. Campgrounds in Pismo, Oceano, and SLO can sometimes have homeless encampments nearby where you might end up with a bicycle or propane tank missing after leaving camp for the day.

Normally when we go up the coast we stay at a motel in Cayucas. I haven't pulled the kayak up there yet. If it was me I would just tent camp but my wife wants a room with a bath. I can lock up my fishing gear but the kayaks will be on a trailer, I just have to take anything loose inside with me.

The homeless problem is everywhere now and where they are thefts are going to happen. Down here it just seems like it isn't just homeless, there are people who go to campgrounds just looking for the opportunity to steal something,

stevie951 · 08-11-2020, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

Down here it just seems like it isn't just homeless, there are people who go to campgrounds just looking for the opportunity to steal something,

Thieves

Hang em High

lbsurf2ca · 08-11-2020, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roby

1) San Simeon Creek Campground

2) Morro Bay State Park Campground

3) Islay Creek Campground

Thanks Roby

roby · 08-11-2020, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

Normally when we go up the coast we stay at a motel in Cayucas. I haven't pulled the kayak up there yet. If it was me I would just tent camp but my wife wants a room with a bath. I can lock up my fishing gear but the kayaks will be on a trailer, I just have to take anything loose inside with me.

The homeless problem is everywhere now and where they are thefts are going to happen. Down here it just seems like it isn't just homeless, there are people who go to campgrounds just looking for the opportunity to steal something,

There are private campgrounds with showers and running water. It's a good blend of tent camping with a few conveniences. Google private campgrounds since there is a large variety depending on your equipment whether you own a tent, RV, trailer. There are even teepees and yurts you can rent out. For example, some one rents out their driveway for $25 a night a mile from the Cambria launch, but it's only for RVs.

Check out www.hipcamp.com

JohnMckroidJr · 08-12-2020, 11:28 AM

Lots of nice pictures! Thanks for the report.

Fishon14 · 08-14-2020, 03:30 PM

great report looks like a good time

08-08-2020, 11:04 AM	#1
roby CEO of Team Roby Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 905	Cambria 8/1/20 I went camping and kayak fishing with Ericko and John Ruiz this past weekend. It was a relaxing and fun trip with some rock fish, beautiful scenery, and tater-tots. We camped at a private campsite a couple of miles from the launch, since all the public campgrounds were filled. Most mornings were foggy with plenty of wind and sun in the afternoon. Our afternoon sessions were wet and wild with 15+mph winds. We caught a variety of fish from reds, blues, blacks, cabezon, and a few short lings. I was mainly using swim-baits and hook-up baits. The fellas used some plastics too and squid. The biggest rockfish came in at 5lbs or so. The high spots out in deeper water were not producing and most of the quality fish were caught in the kelp, which seems healthy and thick in certain areas. We tried shore fishing from the rocks and poking around with squid but didn't get anything. I'll have to put some more effort into shore fishing next time since it looks like there's fish to be caught. Great trip and I'm already planning the next one...

08-08-2020, 02:06 PM	#2
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Looks like a great trip and good fishing. Some nice rock fish there. That first picture reminds me of when La Jolla used to have kelp beds like that, now they are just a memory. Thanks for sharing Roby, hope to see you out at La Jolla one on these days. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

08-10-2020, 12:08 PM	#5
lbsurf2ca Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Encinitas Posts: 395	Anyone have an idea of the best option on campgrounds up there, public or private regardless of being full or not? __________________

08-10-2020, 12:40 PM	#7
SoCalEDC Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 609	looks like a blast. Nice quality fish, and the shore fishing in the rocks looks like it could be a really fun time. __________________ IG: @blackflag_fishing Youtube: Blackflag Fishing 2014 Ocean Kayak T13 SOLD 2020 Hobie Outback SOLD 2021 Stealth Fisha 500 #StealthTribe

08-10-2020, 06:30 PM	#11
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	Has anyone camped at El Charo on Highway 1 between SLO and Morro Bay? It isn't far to Morro from there and it seems like it would be less crowded or do they even have camping there? __________________ you can't eat it if you release it

08-08-2020, 03:09 PM	#3
ekkoa Banned Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 6	Looks great

08-10-2020, 09:29 AM	#4
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	Tasty looking stringer! Cool trip thanks for posting.

08-10-2020, 12:28 PM	#6
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 401	Thanks for sharing the stoke! I'm starting to pack my stuff for a San Simeon trip this weekend!

08-10-2020, 05:18 PM	#9
kayakfisherman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 715	Wow Roby, there's the whole package. Looks like so much fun!!!

08-12-2020, 11:28 AM	#19
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,945	Lots of nice pictures! Thanks for the report.

08-14-2020, 03:30 PM	#20
Fishon14 Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Huntington Beach Posts: 50	great report looks like a good time