La Jolla Report July 1, 2, 3 and 5

My wife and I have some spare time this summer and are considering visiting friends in San Diego. Of coarse, with my one track fishing mind, Ill be bringing my kayak and gear. I would appreciate some advise about where to launch, where to fish, and what to target.
Also, as it will be my birthday, I've been given the greenlight to schedule a charter.  Id love to hear your thoughts/advise if you have local knowledge.

Forgive me for I am biased... ...I wouldn't even bring the yak unless I was going to have a lot of free time to myself or the yellowtail bite was wide open off la jolla. 

If you're going to steal away for a morning or afternoon to slip in some fishing, I'd just replace the yak trip with a half day trip. Better odds at seeing some action as you won't be fishing randomly at a spot you need to figure out first. 

Not sure if the mrs. gave you the green light for an overnight trip but that's what I'd look for...and I'd book now cause available dates are gettin scarce.  If its a no go, full day trips may be getting into the action as well.  The san Diego just posted a bunch of pics of fish from 100-170lbs from a full day trip. 

   

If you bring the yak there is La Jolla and the beach launch there. It’s a big area with lots to learn and figure out. I’ve gone there a few times and have yet to catch a yellowtail. There is also the bay for halibut and bass.

There are several guides that do kayak trips down there, which would greatly shorten the learning curve.

As for big boats if you have the time the longer the trip the greater your likelihood of getting into a better grade of fish. Ill be doing a full day on the San Diego in 2 weeks and will try to post a report about it.

I'd definitely give La Jolla a shot for YT.  I've yet to successfully land one lol, but its pretty awesome to hook into a big yellowtail on the yak.  Getting towed into the kelp beds...not so much haha. 

Besides, you don't want to listen to that guy with a handle like "ex-kayaker"  .   

Joking aside, he's right though. Its all a matter of how much time you have.  If you want to make it easy on yourself, booking a full day/overnight trip would be ideal, but only thing is you don't really know how/where the tuna bite will be in 2 months.     


   

Thank you very much for the advise. I figured La Jolla was going to be the go to kayak spot. Our friends house is a reasonable distance from there, so Id like to give it a try. It looks like the Matlahuayl SMR starts south of the Scripps pier, and is a no fishing area. The La Jolla Shores Beach looks to be the easiest access point, but is well inside this SMR.  Where do anglers typically park and launch to fish the Scripps SMCA and other legal areas? 
As recommended, I like to hire a kayak guide to get an intro to this area. Any recommendations on good guides?  Ill have all my own stuff, just need some local knowledge.

So the launch is at the dead end of Avenida De La Playa. If you get there early enough you should be able to find street parking near the launch or maybe on Camino Del Oro. There is an unloading zone at the end of Avenida De La Playa. You could unload and park in the large parking lot to the north (Kellog Park). I’ve been able to find parking the few times I’ve gone.

It’s a bit of a cruise to get out of the MPA, but it isn’t too bad. I’ve had the best luck finding bait around the end of the pier, and then booking it across the MPA to the outside edge of the kelp.

That is of course if you plan to fish live bait. Bring the usual sabiki and live bait tank. I have never caught anything there in live bait, the sea lions always eat my bait. 

Lure wise I had a blast using krocodile spoons and catching Bonito, swimbaits in the kelp for Calico bass, and jigging spoons for sand bass, halibut, whitefish, and more calicos.

When is your trip? I’m talking myself into wanting to go fish down there!

Oh, bring a mask and snorkel. Google La Jolla leopard sharks. So cool to swim with! Also make sure you wear water shoes and “shuffle” as you come through the surf zone. Multiple occurrences of stingray stings on people walking in the water there.

Excellent John! thank you so much.  We are going to be there 6/28 -7/7 (ish).  It would be cool to have a partner out there.  Ive been driving up and down the area via Google Street View.  Parking looks pretty simple if you get there early, as you said.  Im getting pumped now. This should be good!

Anyone have experience with San Dog Kayak Adventures?  He advertises a discounted rate if you have your own gear. Jim Sammons has a huge reputation, but is more expensive.

https://sandogkayakadventures.com/

http://lajollakayakfishing.com/

Im booked for a guided yak trip out of La Jolla on 7/1, and a 1.5 day trip on the party boat Mustang from 7/3 - 7/5.  I'm optimistic I might get my first YT, and possible YF. Cant wait!!!  It will be a much needed escape from all the septic BS I've been bitching to you about.

Hell yeah...good luck and go get em!  Sounds you definitely need a break away from that madness.

sounds like a great birthday adventure my dude!
 

If you have a guided trip, you will likely catch one or more YT.
I had a guided trip with Sea Samurai (he is not guiding anymore) and I landed two YTs.  It was 12 hours of fishing.  Make sure to wear long shirts and pants to protect from sunburn.  Bring enough water and food to last you all day.  If you get there early, you should be able to find parking spaces in the large lot. 

When you get a bite, make sure to wait 6-8 seconds patiently before you set the hook.

You can see my video of landing YTs.


Paul

Thanks for the timely thread.  Going to San Diego in mid June.

Thanks for the timely thread.  Going to San Diego in mid June.

Dude same! im looking for a day trip on June 18th, maybe the producer out of HandM.

Unfortunately the San Diego out of seaforth is booked for for Saturdays the entire month, but I might be able to get on it for fathersday the 19th if your interested in any of those trips. Only spending 2 weeks down there for work.