La Jolla/South Tourmaline for Halibut ????? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Caseym · 06-01-2015, 10:37 PM

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!

mclanea · 06-02-2015, 12:14 AM

If it's flat you might be able to sneak out through the surf?

I see smaller boats in the entrance channel, you could always launch at Aqua Adventures and then make the long paddle out and around?

I go surf fishing a bit in OB. There just doesn't seem to be many opportunities. I wonder if you could launch at dog beach then get over to the jetty and walk your yak around past the waves?

YakDout · 06-02-2015, 04:48 AM

Quote:

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 · 06-02-2015, 09:16 AM

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 · 06-02-2015, 10:14 AM

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 · 06-02-2015, 11:04 AM

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 · 06-02-2015, 04:31 PM

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.

Batmann · 06-04-2015, 07:22 AM

I agree a launch a mariners basin probably makes more sense and is a much shorter round trip.

I'm curious about your thoughts once you exit the channel and the general fishing conditions in the area?

Kayak_Bernie · 06-04-2015, 09:57 AM

I've Launched at Dana Marina, loaded up on bait and paddled out the bay channel, while the weekends this is not a good idea, during the week when the swell isn't too bad the bay channel isn't bad at all. I fished down to the OB pier and back, with several small butts and one nice keeper butt and a few very aggressive sandies. The biggest halibut I've caught was in the channel on the way back in thought. I need to get out there again! Dana is the way to go though if your planning on a long paddle, might as well get as close as you can. Tight Lines!!!

Batmann · 06-04-2015, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayak_Bernie

I've Launched at Dana Marina, loaded up on bait and paddled out the bay channel, while the weekends this is not a good idea, during the week when the swell isn't too bad the bay channel isn't bad at all. I fished down to the OB pier and back, with several small butts and one nice keeper butt and a few very aggressive sandies. The biggest halibut I've caught was in the channel on the way back in thought. I need to get out there again! Dana is the way to go though if your planning on a long paddle, might as well get as close as you can. Tight Lines!!!

Bernie,

What is the main difference between the swells on weekdays and weekends? It's it the increased boat traffic through the channel?

YakDout · 06-04-2015, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batmann

Bernie,

What is the main difference between the swells on weekdays and weekends? It's it the increased boat traffic through the channel?

Pick you days and choose your conditions. Ride the Tide and you will be fine. Meaning if you are launching at 6AM make sure the Tide is going down and coming back up when you come back through the channel.

Honestly I've fished this area frequently and have never seen the channel bad enough to not want to go through it. Once you are in open waters, its good to go. Don't let people scare you.

sdfishin..alex · 06-04-2015, 09:03 PM

Im down to go whenever if u need a fishing buddy!

MrPatrick · 06-04-2015, 02:35 PM

Boats make the channel really choppy. You get reflected waves every which way.

06-01-2015, 10:37 PM	#1
Caseym Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Temecula Posts: 194	La Jolla/South Tourmaline for Halibut ????? 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!

06-02-2015, 10:14 AM	#5
mbsurf Junior Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 24	Tourmaline 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.

06-04-2015, 09:57 AM	#9
Kayak_Bernie Live Watersports ProStaff Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Rolando Village Posts: 224	I've Launched at Dana Marina, loaded up on bait and paddled out the bay channel, while the weekends this is not a good idea, during the week when the swell isn't too bad the bay channel isn't bad at all. I fished down to the OB pier and back, with several small butts and one nice keeper butt and a few very aggressive sandies. The biggest halibut I've caught was in the channel on the way back in thought. I need to get out there again! Dana is the way to go though if your planning on a long paddle, might as well get as close as you can. Tight Lines!!! __________________ Heroes on the Water SoCal Chapter Safety Director

06-02-2015, 12:14 AM	#2
mclanea Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rolando Posts: 85	If it's flat you might be able to sneak out through the surf? I see smaller boats in the entrance channel, you could always launch at Aqua Adventures and then make the long paddle out and around? I go surf fishing a bit in OB. There just doesn't seem to be many opportunities. I wonder if you could launch at dog beach then get over to the jetty and walk your yak around past the waves?

06-02-2015, 09:16 AM	#4
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	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

06-02-2015, 11:04 AM	#6
Caseym Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Temecula Posts: 194	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

06-02-2015, 04:31 PM	#7
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	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.

06-04-2015, 07:22 AM	#8
Batmann Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 117	I agree a launch a mariners basin probably makes more sense and is a much shorter round trip. I'm curious about your thoughts once you exit the channel and the general fishing conditions in the area?

06-04-2015, 09:03 PM	#12
sdfishin..alex Banned Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 182	Im down to go whenever if u need a fishing buddy!

06-04-2015, 02:35 PM	#13
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	Boats make the channel really choppy. You get reflected waves every which way.