My San Diego Trip

I just returned from a trip to San Diego, and want to thank Auburntroutfisherman and SlayRide for their suggestions and help with the local ways.  SlayRide, hope the foot is getting better.

During my 10 day trip, I got on the ocean three times in my T15 and 4 times in my sister’s 36’ Navigator.  It was a good trip. 

On my T15, I launched at La Jolla shores where you are allowed to drive onto the beach, unload, and then go park your car.  That was so cool, and there were always folks ready to help load/unload the yak.  Eye candy was everywhere.  The water temp was a comfortable 72 degrees – no wetsuits required here.  On my first outing, I landed a 20” white sea bass using a fresh Spanish mackeral. It put up a nice fight, and I had to pull it out of the kelp.  Size limit needed to be 28”, so released it.  Second trip yellowtail were running – bait fish were flying out of the water around me.  That was serene.  I hooked into a monster that took me into the kelp, which I lost after about 15 minutes of fighting – broke the line right at the hook.  Never saw color, but dove like a yellowtail. I know, doesn’t count. On my third outing, I used strips of Bonita belly and caught a calico on my first troll – 15 inches, but released it.  Hooked into another, but lost it in the kelp.  There was no problem making bait, mostly Spanish mackerels, using my homemade sabiki rod.  The locals favored the pedaling Hobies, probably 3 out of 4.

On my sis/bro-in-law’s boat we mostly hung around the Point Loma and La Jolla kelp beds.  We caught plenty of bait with the sabiki’s. We pulled in a 21” white sea bass and I landed another calico - released them.  And then, we finally hit gold 6 miles out.  On Sunday, the bonita were running and I landed two of the boat’s six, all around 9 lbs.  OMG, those were fun to bring in.  There’s nothing that gets my adrenaline going like the sound of that clicker screaming without relent.  Clicker off, bam, and the fight is on!  My 16 year old daughter landed her first fish this day (15 minutes), and retired afterwards with quivering muscles.  She did an awesome job hanging in there. Same with my 7 yo nephew.

On my drive home, I took Mooch’s advice and stopped by  Hook1 in Capistrano Beach to visit with owner Mark.  He was a good host, sold me some nice accessories and threw in a little schwag.  Really nice guy, with great yak stories.  If I weren’t on a schedule, I could have stayed all day.  He should open a beer bar.  Anyway, good guy and great prices, Hook1.

Pic's are too large to attach - suggestions?  Hope to see you OTW soon.

Tom

  Great report!  We are planning on 1 or 2 days in San Diego on our way to Mulege/East Cape in December!  Can't wait. 

Hope the pics came through this time.  I reduced in size.

That is one beautiful fish! Thanks for the report!

Thanks for the report Sirius, you found the ONLY thing i miss from my days growing up down there......the incredible summer and fall fishing!!  Sweet......

Norm