Mission Beach/La Jolla March 1-4

Hey Y'all, I'm heading down south for a few days in early March. Lookin' for some local knowledge and would welcome anyone who wanted to join in. Any help/guidance would be appreciated. Thanks

I'd check out this guy...

   http://www.kayakfishingmafia.com/smf/index.php/topic,2765.0.html

That looks like a pretty good deal on the guide service for down there. <Might just have to hit him up when I run down there this year for sure!

PM deepdvr (Eric) he lives down there and is a great guy. Make sure you have the new MLPAs in your GPS.  The shelf, NW corner and half are open but surrounded by SMRs as is scripts canyon. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/scmpas_list.asp

Here are some good articles. April to May are good months.
http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-template/spring-dsh-kayak-dsh-seabass/Page

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-template/spring-dsh-kayak-dsh-yellowtail/Page

for a guide in la jolla I would look up the dark horse, (josh pruitt) he's consistently put more people on bigger fish that anyone. you'll have to search bigwatersedge for his contact info. Do you have a bait tank? (you'll need one), how about a cart? how much time are you looking to spend on the water each outing? I only ask because I know those waters like the back of my hand, and fished the big bay weekly until aug '11 when i mover up north. give me a little more info and I'll tell you every thing I know. What part of town are you staying in? I'll draw up some maps if I can figure out google earth for you too.

@ Danglin, thanks for the reference. I like that guy you can tell he loves what he's doin'. I'll call him for sure.

@ Great Bass 2, great idea I'll PM deepdvr asap! I found a great web link at DFG that shows your current location overlaid on the closure maps using your phone browser. It can be found at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/m/mpa/Map . I didn't get a chance to read the articles yet but I'll do that later, thanks.

@ jbaker, thanks for the heads up regarding Josh, I'll give him a ring. I do have a tank and a cart. I'm thinkin' I'll fish all day thursday hopefully get a shot at the WSB in the morning and evening and work the YT in between. Probably fish 10-3 friday and saturday (again chase the YT). And then another full day on sunday (same plan as thursday).

WSB and YT might be scarce that time of the year, theres always the home guards but you'll never hear if theres a bite till its over. La Jolla has gotten pretty tight lipped lately. There should be some halibut moving it to the bay to spawn tho. march was always a good time for them in the big bay. I always liked launching shelter island around 5am, paddling out to the bait barge for a scoop, then out to zuniga jetty for day break. drifting around the end of the jetty to the channel marker was always productive for halls. Also the jetty its self is like an aquarium, you never know what you'll hook up. you used to be able to paddle all the way around point loma to the kelp beds but thats now an mlpa. you can do almost the same paddle at mission bay, hit the bait barge then out the mouth. I know theres some nice sheepshead on the tips of the jetties. If La Jolla looks like a bust when you head down just keep in mind you have options. hell theres even bone fish in the back bay.

+1 on everything jbaker said. If you want big game hire Josh Pruitt. March can be tough fishing down there as far as YT and WSB. Bring a jig stick, swim bait rig and kelp cutter.

Alright, thanks for all the help. I've got Josh booked on the 1st and Kevin on the 4th. Both of them feel like it's perfect timing, we'll see. I'll go it alone on the 2nd and 3rd, maybe just bass and halibut in the bay. Still open to anyone joining in. Looks like it's gonna be great!

I know that both guides would like all there clients to keep quiet about what they learn for the sake of there business. but it would be interesting to see what the difference in their tactics and teachings is like.

@ jbaker - Yep, Josh kinda swore me to secrecy. Gotta respect his wishes. Having grown up in the party/commercial fishing industry I know how a little slip up can shut down a bite if not an entire fishery. But maybe we'll fish together down there sometime and you can glean for yourself what I may pick up...

I used live in Mission Beach.

No need for a guide. Just fish Mission Bay or San Diego Bay with Fish Traps on the drift. You will catch Calico and Sand Bass all day long. Launch at Crown Point or Shelter Island for San Diego Bay. 

Inland lakes are Killer for bass. San Vicente, Otay, El Capitan and Barrett are all near byl. 

Pablo, Thanks man, I'll give Mission Bay a shot while I'm there. Any suggestions with regards to halibut? Is there a bait boat/barge in Mission Bay?

Both bays have a bait barge. San Diego bay is better for Butts but both have them.

This sounds like a great trip. One of my nieces is getting married down in Orange Co. in late July so I think I will try to book one of these guys. I would love to get out in Southern CA. salt. .  I won't thread jack here so I will seek advice later. Thank you!