Kayak fishing off Ventura in December 2014

Folks,

Planning a trip to visit the GF's family in Ventura. Will bring the kayak this time... welcome comments regarding species, depths, bait/jigs, other launch areas (vs. Ventura Harbor), have read about the Rincon Island, etc. Fished the pier & jetties last year, and it sucked. Will throw an invite out to folks once we settle on dates for anyone in the area (week before X-mas?). Thanks!!

Fishing is sort of slow via kayak around Ventura.  You can certainly hit Rincon/Arco Island and bounce some swimbaits around for some rockfish/calicos and sandbass.  Better fishing is usually south of Ventura around Leo Carillo/Malibu area.  Another option would be to launch at night and hit the breakwall and hoop for lobsters.  If you use the launch ramp you need to pay for parking

Channel Islands Harbor is another option...I use to prefer fishing out of here.  You can launch for free at the Kiddie beach.  Within the Channel Island harbor drift the front area with live bait for Halibut.  You can hit the breakwall (I think they are dredging now) and fish the outer side for rockfish...I've gotten a few nice cabezons off the outside wall.

Let me know if you have any other questions, this was my old stomping grounds

liverbass pretty much said it all. Arco Island is sometimes good for bonita & barracuda.

be sure to hit Pepe's at Silverstrand beach for some killer fish tacos & burritos.

Thanks guys, big help indeed. I'll keep you posted. A first for me in the area, but two days of paddling in So. Cal and not catching anything can't be too bad...

I saw some great yellowtail pics from the other day, but figure the charter boats are going way out and working kelp paddies for those. Otherwise it was all rockies and lings.

You should contact Rhyno via rhynobar.com (Jeff Krieger)

He's total OG pro and lives close by (Simi Valley).  Back of his hand knowledge of the whole south coast.

Bushy