Need some SoCal fishing intel

I am going on a group camp out at San Clemente State Beach (Just north of Camp Pendelton Marine Corps Base) next week.

 - Is the fishing good in that area for a beach launch and 2-3 miles of transit around?
 - Anyone have any numbers for a rock pile in that area around the pier?
 - What is off limits for that area? (I will check the regs, but cliff notes would be appreciated)
 

I can't help with regulations, so it's a good idea to check for yourself. 

I've dove off a friend's boat a few times at the kelp beds in about 50'-60' of water off the coast from the state beach.  It's definitely close enough for a kayak.  I was just south of the pier and north of a surf spot called Trestles.   The kelp bed area is called cotton's and south of that is called The Barn (guess that kelp is straight off the coast from an old barn).  You'll be closer to Cotton's. 

The few times I've dove there I've seen Black seabass, shot White seabass, shot at but missed BEEEEG yellowtail.  I was under gunned.  A friend on another boat that was out the same day ended up shooting a bluefin tuna in the high teens.  He said he saw a school come by the kelp bed.  So, that place can be very very good.  If the big name fish aren't around, you can try for "ho hum" socal species of calico, sandbass(deeper) in the kelp or bonito and barracuda off the kelp.

I've never launched a kayak from the beach though so I don't know how difficult it could be. 

Good luck,
Nate

I appreciate the names. Now I can hone in on the set ups a little more.

I don't care if everything you typed was a lie! Now I actually want to go on this camping trip!

I appreciate the names. Now I can hone in on the set ups a little more.

I don't care if everything you typed was a lie! Now I actually want to go on this camping trip!

Man, that would suck if someone did that, give a false report like that.  But it is all true.  That area (Trestles) is known to have GWS.  The guy I went out with reported a gnarly shark sighting.  He took another friend out and they were hunting YT.  That friend shot 2 YT and was swimming back to the boat with the fish at the end of his floatline.  He felt a tug on his line and thought some seal or sea lion was pestering him, so he gave his line a good hard yank and continued back to the boat, all the while still hunting.  Almost to the boat, he felt a yank again and this time harder, so he yanked back and started to pull in line to get the fish closer as well as poke off the seal or sea lion.  As he pulled closer, he saw a big shape following his fish.  It turned out to be a big hammerhead shark.  One of his YT was bitten cleanly in half.  Luckily he was close enough to the boat to turn on the turbos and beat it back to the boat.  He pulled his line from the boat and was able to salvage 1 1/2 fish.  Exciting stuff. 

It's trestles I'd be more worried about surf nazis then the land lord. If your there next weekend the 22nd cruise down to Oceanside Harbor and hit up the bass and brew event. Launch at dawn in the harbor and paddle with everyone out to the artificial reefs. At noon everyone is going to Aztec brewery in vista for festivities. Oceanside is just the other side of Pendleton from you. I've heard of people fishing out there and surf launching but it can be really big surf, like world title event surf, so be carefull. Its fully doable but be ready to get wet. A short drive north from there would put you in Dana point, extent fishing and easier launch. Or Even Carlsbad lagoons to the south there's lots of places to fish close by. Off the beach I would say bring a light trout rod and some gulp camo sand worms. The 6" ones, break off about 2" and put it on a #6  hook, 1/2 oz sliding sinker (Carolina rig). cast right in to the surf not past it. Halibut, perch, leopard shark, corvina, ect. I've caught legal halibut 3' from my ankles in 2' of water. Look at the surf and spot the holes, places where the waves don't break evenly or run parallel to the shore that's where the fish hide. I'm leaving Thursday night for 2 weeks In SD I'm stoked!

It's trestles I'd be more worried about surf nazis then the land lord.

Yeah but I figured he wouldn't travel to a known surf spot to launch a kayak.  At least I hope he knows not to. 

Living in Santa Cruz, I know all too well about the surfer's with attitude issue. THe last two years I have gone to the camp out at San Clemente State beach, at 5 or 6 in the morning, the beach launch is easy and flat. (Who really ares if you yard sale coming in). A shark sighting would suck.

Won't be able to get with the group while I am there, but that sounds pretty cool.