La Jolla/South Tourmaline for Halibut ?????

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by Caseym

Does anyone have any experience fishing and more importantly launching from somewhere near mission beach. I'm looking at a fishing chart and there appears to be tons of artificial reefs, rock piles, a ship etc all right off the crystal pier and mission beach area. Really want to try for halibut and of cours YT out there, but don't know where to launch. I see Tourmaline St. as a Kayak Area, but want more info....if u know clue me in!!! Thanks!

I've launched at Dana landing quite a few times to fish all the areas you just spoke of plus more. There is a huge kelp southwest from the end of OB pier. It's a little bit of a paddle. But if the surf is up, you can still get out plus hit the barge for sardines. Have caught yellowtail there. Lots of halibut in the area as well.

[taggermike]

It depends on surf conditions and your surf launch confidence. But you can launch at tourmaline street. Or you used to any way. I'll say that its not ideal and and an absolute PITA in the summer. some times. Launching early is easy but Landing later through a pack of grump surfers on the out side, kids on buggie boards on the in side, then finally the crowd frolicking in waist to knee deep water is no fun. Getting across the crowded beach sucks and you might get a lecture from the life guards. This a worst case scenario. And launching there puts you just minutes from where you want to be. Mike

[mbsurf]

I used to surf Tourmaline all the time, and I have launched my yak there a couple of times. The good news is that in the summer, south swells do not break on the north end. This is where you would likely be launching, as the surf lineup will be denser right in front of the lot. When there is surf on the north end's reefs, a low tide is better for you. The inside can be deadly on a higher tide. The north end fills in with sand on the summer, but is surprisingly rocky with difficult footing north of the lot in winter. Full disclosure: I have flipped my yak there, but on the right day in the summer I think you'd find it to be no big deal. You have the lifeguard's driveway ramp to bring the yak down, no rocks.

[Caseym]

This is all great info, much appreciated. I saw that "Dog Beach" area just inside the harbor, seems like it wouldnt be too far of a paddle, at least comparing it to the normal La Jolla Shores routine to go outside when the YT's are biting the Yo Yo. Just wondering, always looking fir a "new" less popular thing to do, try or pioneer

[GregAndrew]

You can launch at the park at the South end of Mission Beach on the bay side. Check the tides to find outgoing when you launch and incoming when you land or slack either way. Don't use the middle of the channel and expect wakes though.

[Caseym]

Thanks Greg. If youre ever heading that way and want co. Give me a shout, id like to learn from the master.
Casey

[Batmann]

I have often wondered why folks don't load up on bait at the barge in Mission Bay and head out through the channel more often.

I took a few minutes and plotted the reef points as listed by DFG on a map. The distance from launch to the end of the channel is just under 3 miles. The distance from the end of the channel to the two furthest points are 1.13 miles to the El Rey and 1.2 miles to the NOSC tower.

Has anyone fished these locations by kayak?

I am also curious about any good locations south of the channel entrance. I have heard that there is some good fishing in the vicinity of the Ocean Beach pier as well as at the start of the kelp line south of the pier.

I know LJ gets a lot of attention but I am curious why this area is not mentioned more.