July 7-9 Cachuma & Santa Barbara

[hobieuser]

Seeking some help on fishing trip.
I'm hitting Santa Barbara area on the second week of July.
Never fished up there and hoping to get some help.
I will be camping at the Lake Cachuma but hoping to spend a day at Santa Barbara ocean water.

I'm seeking where is the best place for park and launch, and what area should be fished? I hear about Naples reef and Goleta beach area.
I've been kayak fishing for 10 years. Any help would be appreciated.

Happy yaking!

[Denis_Ruso]

I was looking at fishing Lake Cachuma a couple of months ago on a last minute trip. In my research I found the following:

"Cachuma Lake Given Maximum Protection from Invasive Species: Santa Barbara County Extends Vessel Quarantine to 30 Days.The County of Santa Barbara Community Services Department Parks Division has received Board of Supervisor’s approval to increase protection from aquatic invasive species at Cachuma Lake. Staff will be enforcing a 30 day vessel quarantine on all trailered vessels entering Cachuma Lake, which is an extension of the current 14 day quarantine period. A longer quarantine period provides additional protections against the invasive species. There are two exceptions to the new quarantine policy: 1) Vessels that already have a Cachuma Lake boat launch security tag will not have to be inspected, and 2) kayaks and canoes will be allowed to launch after passing the inspection program and power wash. With more stringent quarantine protocols the lake can continue recreational boating."

Just a heads up. I haven't fished Santa Barbara so hopefully someone else can help you out on that.

[2-Stix]

Naples reef is protected and off limits. MPA. I fish Gaviota. Get off the water by 11:00. Winds can go 75+mph up there.

[radastaff]

just south of Naples reef
Bacara hotel
park at tennis courts
need yak cart

must haves...
compass for fog
gps to see mlpa boundries
wd40 for tar balls

[jpp9565]

Drove past Cachuma a couple months ago- there is probably more water in your bathtub. Made me sad. Spent many camping/fishing trips up there with the wife and kids. Still time for El Niño to fix it a bit.

[ashmoz]

Refugio state beach is nice. You can park, launch easily (weather permitting), and don't have to go far to hit kelp and get on big lings. I don't fish much plastics, but large pink gulp did magic both times I fished there. Warbaits weedless is a must. I got big lings in 30' of water in thick kelp. Good luck.

[hobieuser]

Thanks for all infos.

[ghotion]

Just had a tournament there this weekend (16th & 17th). I did not fish, but saw on TV that they planted at least 6000 lbs of trout.

[hobieuser]

Yeah, I noticed that. Thanks.

[dphuntnfish]

I yak'd cachuma this past weekend 16/17th. Bass was on fire with cranks 20+ fish days. Bass range 1-3lbs. The process will take about a hour from front gate to wash to launch. Focus on cliffs for bass. Bulk of the trout are at the dam but can be found everywhere. Water temp was 62/63°.