New to the board - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

erinoo · 01-13-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surf Hunter

Hey all-
New to this board but a member of Nor-Cal Kayak Anglers.
the wife and I are going to be planning a trip to San Diego in August. We are thinking of staying a week and fishing both La Jolla and Mission Bay during the week days.
I have been reading any article I could find and hope to glean some info from you guys and gals.

Do you think it would be advantageous to hire a guide for one day to do La Jolla or should we just research adn make the run?

We will be bringing our two X-13 kayaks, all our gear etc. Just need to find a cheap hotel (should be easy in that area) and we are set.

Fair warning, please be on the lookout for stoopid rookie questions as we have never fished So-Cal on the kayaks and want to make the most of our trip.

Now, gotta start looking for bait tanks. Ug.

Call The Darkhorse.......you will be glad you did....

Surf Hunter · 01-13-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erinoo

Call The Darkhorse.......you will be glad you did....

Yup, so I hear. I sent him an email today.

Jason · 01-13-2010, 03:49 PM

Just a thought, but you might want to consider camping as well. Campland on the Bay is on Mission Bay and very close to LJ. San Elijo and Carlsbad campgrounds (State Beaches) are right on the ocean and about 40 minutes North of LJ. If that is something you might consider, I would look into making reservations now. With the money you save on a hotel, you could hire a guide.

Jason

Surf Hunter · 01-13-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

Just a thought, but you might want to consider camping as well. Campland on the Bay is on Mission Bay and very close to LJ. San Elijo and Carlsbad campgrounds (State Beaches) are right on the ocean and about 40 minutes North of LJ. If that is something you might consider, I would look into making reservations now. With the money you save on a hotel, you could hire a guide.

Jason

i saw that place, do you know if they do tent camping or is it all RV's? I could not really tell by the website.

Jason · 01-13-2010, 04:12 PM

I've never been there, so I couldn't tell you first hand. I do know the other two campgrounds I mentioned allow both.

miguelitro · 01-13-2010, 05:39 PM

^ better advice than mine! The San Elijo campground is no more than 1/2 hour from the LJ launch, 40 to mission bay, and you could still launch right there and hit the kelp beds if you dont want to drive and the surf is smallish.

Lots of good restaurants within 10 minute drive north and south, and bring bicycles if you ride them, easy way to get around that area.

hmmm....might have to make a reservation for myself

dsafety · 01-13-2010, 06:57 PM

A few things about fishing in San Diego. First of all, there are tons of fish, just about everywhere. Unfortunately, they can be tough to catch if you don't know what you are doing.

I have fished all my life. As a kid I fished La Jolla from a small boat all the time and never went home empty handed. As I grew older, I switched to fly fishing for bass and trout for many years and when I came back to the ocean in a kayak, I could not catch a cold.

I have paid my dues for the past two years and am now moderately successful on most trips. This is mostly due to listening to advice from others more experienced than I. This forum and the many friends I have made as a result of hanging around deserve most of the credit for my maturation as a kayak fisher.

As mentioned before earlier in this thread, there are some shortcuts. You can hire a guide. The Darkhorse is a friend of mine and one of my mentors, so I am probably a little prejudiced on his behalf. There are other excellent guides but none better than Josh. If you have the time, (a day with Josh can be sunup to sundown), and the jingle, you will learn more in one day than most of us learn in a year.

The other option is trial and error. This is that path that most of us have taken. There is a part of me that hopes you go this route. Rookie mistakes can be very entertaining to watch. We have all made them, whether we want to admit it or not. It is always nice to have new blood screwing up so we, the "seasoned veterans", can smugly smile at someone else's misfortune.

That said, I can tell you with the utmost certainty that if you find yourself in a tough spot, virtually every one of this region's kayak fishers will immediately come to your aid.

I hope that your trip exceeds your expectations. See you on the water.

Bob

01-13-2010, 06:57 PM	#7
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	A few things about fishing in San Diego. First of all, there are tons of fish, just about everywhere. Unfortunately, they can be tough to catch if you don't know what you are doing. I have fished all my life. As a kid I fished La Jolla from a small boat all the time and never went home empty handed. As I grew older, I switched to fly fishing for bass and trout for many years and when I came back to the ocean in a kayak, I could not catch a cold. I have paid my dues for the past two years and am now moderately successful on most trips. This is mostly due to listening to advice from others more experienced than I. This forum and the many friends I have made as a result of hanging around deserve most of the credit for my maturation as a kayak fisher. As mentioned before earlier in this thread, there are some shortcuts. You can hire a guide. The Darkhorse is a friend of mine and one of my mentors, so I am probably a little prejudiced on his behalf. There are other excellent guides but none better than Josh. If you have the time, (a day with Josh can be sunup to sundown), and the jingle, you will learn more in one day than most of us learn in a year. The other option is trial and error. This is that path that most of us have taken. There is a part of me that hopes you go this route. Rookie mistakes can be very entertaining to watch. We have all made them, whether we want to admit it or not. It is always nice to have new blood screwing up so we, the "seasoned veterans", can smugly smile at someone else's misfortune. That said, I can tell you with the utmost certainty that if you find yourself in a tough spot, virtually every one of this region's kayak fishers will immediately come to your aid. I hope that your trip exceeds your expectations. See you on the water. Bob Last edited by dsafety; 01-13-2010 at 08:50 PM.

01-13-2010, 03:49 PM	#3
Jason Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 80	Just a thought, but you might want to consider camping as well. Campland on the Bay is on Mission Bay and very close to LJ. San Elijo and Carlsbad campgrounds (State Beaches) are right on the ocean and about 40 minutes North of LJ. If that is something you might consider, I would look into making reservations now. With the money you save on a hotel, you could hire a guide. Jason

01-13-2010, 04:12 PM	#5
Jason Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 80	I've never been there, so I couldn't tell you first hand. I do know the other two campgrounds I mentioned allow both.

01-13-2010, 05:39 PM	#6
miguelitro Team Bad Habits Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 119	^ better advice than mine! The San Elijo campground is no more than 1/2 hour from the LJ launch, 40 to mission bay, and you could still launch right there and hit the kelp beds if you dont want to drive and the surf is smallish. Lots of good restaurants within 10 minute drive north and south, and bring bicycles if you ride them, easy way to get around that area. hmmm....might have to make a reservation for myself