Newport Harbor, 1/1/2016 - 1/2/2016 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

miteofthesun · 01-01-2016, 07:43 PM

Happy New Year everybody!

I got to the USCG station just before 6am, on the water shortly thereafter. I spent most of my time near some moored boats SE of the Coast Guard station, where I caught my first spottie. Saw a few decent sized fish boiling before the sun came up. Missed a few other bites. Decided to head North to the Balboa Island bridge. Caught another spottie on my first cast near the bridge. Worked the North side of the bridge for two sandies. All fish safely released.

It was a beautiful morning! Very calm and quiet.

Used 3" Big Hammers on the 3/8 oz. lead heads that I make. With Hot Sauce.

I'll be out there tomorrow and likely Sunday as well, taking advantage of the long weekend. I'll be trying to hook one of the bigger guys I saw jumping this morning

If anybody has any tips/areas they recommend, I'm all ears! Saltwater bass fishing is new to me.

If anybody wants to meet up, let me know! I'll be arriving around 6am tomorrow morning, USCG station. Red Malibu X13.

Harry Hill · 01-01-2016, 08:08 PM

I wonder if those bass will go for a surface plug?

tamddo714 · 01-02-2016, 03:02 AM

Doubt in this cold weather

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

miteofthesun · 01-02-2016, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamddo714

Doubt in this cold weather

We've got it good here in So Cal man! It's not like it's freezing

I do get cold pretty easily. I just layer up.

Though I do want to get something to keep my feet warm. My toes get cold.

Amish Ed · 01-02-2016, 06:17 AM

Pretty good winter fishing for Newport. Thanks for the report. I might end up there on Friday, depends on the weather window. If it looks like the wind will be down I'll hit Dana, if not Newport.

miteofthesun · 01-02-2016, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amish Ed

Pretty good winter fishing for Newport. Thanks for the report.

Thanks Ed! I've learned a lot from your reports. I think I'll have to give the Paddlerz a try soon.

Hopefully I see you out there sometime!

miteofthesun · 01-02-2016, 12:40 PM

Got to the USCG around 5:45 this morning, on the water just after 6. Another wonderful morning on the water. Water was smooth, and no wind.

Fished near some moored boats early on for a baby spottie and a small sandie. Missed a bunch of bites! They weren't sticking.

Moved towards the Balboa Island bridge after the bite seemed to slow down. These past two days, it's been slowing down just after the sun comes up.

Caught another small spottie. Also hooked into something more substantial. After it hit the swimbait, whatever it was clung down on the bottom after. I kept pressure on the line, but it came off. Bummer.

Bite seemed to shut off as the tide went slack, like yesterday.

I'm going to get out tomorrow as long as the weather/wind is decent. Tomorrow's forecast is showing a bit more wind, but it shouldn't kick up till after noon.

Amish Ed · 01-02-2016, 02:47 PM

Thank you. Glad I could help. If you can, try a trip out at night. This time of year it can be really good (as you noticed, the sun shuts it down a lot). If you're ever free on a Thur or Fri hit me up.

miteofthesun · 01-02-2016, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amish Ed

Thank you. Glad I could help. If you can, try a trip out at night. This time of year it can be really good (as you noticed, the sun shuts it down a lot). If you're ever free on a Thur or Fri hit me up.

I could do a night session next Friday! Let me know if you want to go that night.

Amish Ed · 01-02-2016, 03:32 PM

For night fishing I have thursdays and Saturdays available. Have to be at work at 6am on saturdays.

miteofthesun · 01-02-2016, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amish Ed

For night fishing I have thursdays and Saturdays available. Have to be at work at 6am on saturdays.

Got it. Let me know if you want to go next Saturday night! I'm free on the weekend.

I get out as much as I can, weather permitting.

Amish Ed · 01-03-2016, 08:44 AM

Let's watch the weather and figure it out later in the week.

miteofthesun · 01-03-2016, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amish Ed

Let's watch the weather and figure it out later in the week.

Sounds good.

Caught only two spotties this morning. Sure beats a skunk though.

Weather was nice. Wind picked a bit later in the morning.

01-01-2016, 07:43 PM	#1
miteofthesun Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: HB Posts: 33	Newport Harbor, 1/1/2016 - 1/2/2016 Happy New Year everybody! I got to the USCG station just before 6am, on the water shortly thereafter. I spent most of my time near some moored boats SE of the Coast Guard station, where I caught my first spottie. Saw a few decent sized fish boiling before the sun came up. Missed a few other bites. Decided to head North to the Balboa Island bridge. Caught another spottie on my first cast near the bridge. Worked the North side of the bridge for two sandies. All fish safely released. It was a beautiful morning! Very calm and quiet. Used 3" Big Hammers on the 3/8 oz. lead heads that I make. With Hot Sauce. I'll be out there tomorrow and likely Sunday as well, taking advantage of the long weekend. I'll be trying to hook one of the bigger guys I saw jumping this morning If anybody has any tips/areas they recommend, I'm all ears! Saltwater bass fishing is new to me. If anybody wants to meet up, let me know! I'll be arriving around 6am tomorrow morning, USCG station. Red Malibu X13. Last edited by miteofthesun; 01-02-2016 at 12:41 PM. Reason: updated report

01-02-2016, 06:17 AM	#5
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	Pretty good winter fishing for Newport. Thanks for the report. I might end up there on Friday, depends on the weather window. If it looks like the wind will be down I'll hit Dana, if not Newport. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

01-02-2016, 12:40 PM	#7
miteofthesun Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: HB Posts: 33	Update: 1/2/2015 Got to the USCG around 5:45 this morning, on the water just after 6. Another wonderful morning on the water. Water was smooth, and no wind. Fished near some moored boats early on for a baby spottie and a small sandie. Missed a bunch of bites! They weren't sticking. Moved towards the Balboa Island bridge after the bite seemed to slow down. These past two days, it's been slowing down just after the sun comes up. Caught another small spottie. Also hooked into something more substantial. After it hit the swimbait, whatever it was clung down on the bottom after. I kept pressure on the line, but it came off. Bummer. Bite seemed to shut off as the tide went slack, like yesterday. I'm going to get out tomorrow as long as the weather/wind is decent. Tomorrow's forecast is showing a bit more wind, but it shouldn't kick up till after noon. Last edited by miteofthesun; 01-02-2016 at 03:07 PM.

01-02-2016, 02:47 PM	#8
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	Thank you. Glad I could help. If you can, try a trip out at night. This time of year it can be really good (as you noticed, the sun shuts it down a lot). If you're ever free on a Thur or Fri hit me up. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

01-02-2016, 03:32 PM	#10
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	For night fishing I have thursdays and Saturdays available. Have to be at work at 6am on saturdays. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

01-01-2016, 08:08 PM	#2
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	I wonder if those bass will go for a surface plug?

01-02-2016, 03:02 AM	#3
tamddo714 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 273	Doubt in this cold weather Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-03-2016, 08:44 AM	#12
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	Let's watch the weather and figure it out later in the week. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!