Going to launch at La Jolla Shores first time

[Steve92004]

Hi, new here
I'm pretty new to kayak fishing but have been fishing the LA Jolla kelp for some time from boat with live bait.
I'm planning launching at La Jolla Shores this weekend or the next, I'm keeping an eye on the buoy charts and the webcam.
If I go I'll probably be by myself. You think there will be people there that will help a new guy out or let me tag along?
I guess I'll have to make bait or jig.
I'm fishing out of an Oldtown Topwater 120 PDL. I've been fishing the bays on it and the spottie action has died off so I'm looking for something else. I put a Lowrance on it out of a previous boat It's big but I'll have charting and sonar to help me out.
Thanks I'd appreciate your thoughts or help
Steve

[baileybikes]

I am a newbie in that i have been out there nearly every weekend since August but...
Launching is easy assuming less than 2ft swells - bigger is ok if the period is long - some say 4x the height so 3feet with 12 second period to give you time to get moving and go through the waves. Study them for a bit and you will see the calm period. I have gone out in 4ft+ but it took me 30 minutes to figure out the wave pattern.

As for fishing - going north of the pier is productive for bait - a lot of guys go straight out past the no-fish zone and do ok but I always struggle making bait. North of the pier you can see them boiling.

A lot of folks do great around the kelp which is more straight off la jolla cove and south - I have probably caught most of my fish there but i am still searching for yellows which most say you cruise the edge of the patties freelining but i have yet to hook up there.

I always seem to do ok going for bottom fish with a dropper loop in 200'+ water near the canyon but they aren't fun like bonito or more gamey fish.

I'll be out there sat - one of the only guys with the trimirand Hobie Tandem Island so stop by and say hi.

Originally Posted by Steve92004

Hi, new here
I'm pretty new to kayak fishing but have been fishing the LA Jolla kelp for some time from boat with live bait.
I'm planning launching at La Jolla Shores this weekend or the next, I'm keeping an eye on the buoy charts and the webcam.
If I go I'll probably be by myself. You think there will be people there that will help a new guy out or let me tag along?
I guess I'll have to make bait or jig.
I'm fishing out of an Oldtown Topwater 120 PDL. I've been fishing the bays on it and the spottie action has died off so I'm looking for something else. I put a Lowrance on it out of a previous boat It's big but I'll have charting and sonar to help me out.
Thanks I'd appreciate your thoughts or help
Steve

[AlwaysFishing]

Cool another Topwater 120 PDL owner!! Good luck out there this weekend.

[Jxjones]

Beach launched for the first time last weekend. Was too intimidated prior to that. Surf was low, so no problem launching. You’ll be just fine.

I may be out on Saturday morning. Good luck!

[Scoot]

Unfortunately I physically can’t fish from a
Kayak anymore, but I still lurk on here!
Fished Tuesday morning, we got it to go WFO
with bait but there was a lot of fish inside! 50’
of water. Bass and cuda! Hope that helps

[vincentek9]

I no longer have a kayak at the moment, but here is what i found out about la jolla kelp...

* great idea to stand and check the timing of the waves. see how the timing of the swell is.
* dont bring too much gear with you for the first time
* latch everything down. i even lay my rods down and tie them to the yak in case something happens.
* REALLY secure everything when you are about to go into the waves when heading in. this is where most people lose tackle.

aside from that, its basically like fishing from a skiff with the benefit that there is no kelp too thick for you to fish in from a kayak. goodluck, and make sure to stay safe.