Newport, 9-14-17
 

Launched solo at about 6:45 this morning. No wind, cloudy skies, and coolish. Water was very clear and 66º and change.

Started on the buoy line and got 4 (1 legal) in 20min. The sun hit the water and the bite died. Lots of floating eel grass was annoying. Moved towards the bait barge and picked off one on the buoy line by the swim only beach. Moved to the bait barge, there was so much eel grass and no bites that I left. Hit the moored boats for nothing, but there was zero current. So, not to surprising. Moved across the channel where the boats were all pointed south (still no wind), so I figured there must be some water moving. Wasn't much though. But, I did pick up another 2 spotties, one legal. Then as I hit the end of the boats I got hit good, set the hook and had a really good fight on my hands, thought it was a legal butt the way it ran for open water with big head shakes. Turned out it was a huge calico that was barely hooked. Got it yak side, laid it out, touched the hook and off it went. Not sure on the weight since I didn't get to hold it, but it looked like a 5lber. Easily the biggest harbor bass I've caught. By this time it was about 9am and decided I'd head in, I had stuff to do and my back was giving me fits.

Only used 2 baits. 1/2oz Coolbaits plain underspin with a 5" Zman Paddlerz in smokey shad and 1/2oz Coolbaits chart/white underspin with a chartreuse copper flake 4" Kalin grub. Though about 1/2 way through the day I had to bite off an inch as the head tore. No sauce today.

This was my last week day outing and I will definitely miss that, there was no other anglers and very few boats moving around. Missed have Steve with me too, but there's always next week.

Newport
 

Nice write up

Nicely done, Ed.

Way to squeeze out a few fish in the tough conditions. Always a sign of a great angler... :cheers:

Thanks guys.

Hell yeah Ed! Thanks for the report :cheers1:

why no more week days?

Got a new job. M-F, 8:30am-5-30pm. I'll be fishing on Saturdays now.

well good luck on the new job. It looks like you had a good last weekdays fishing.

Nice job on the harbor checker!

Nice outing Ed. Very nice bay checker.

Thanks guys. I still can't believe that calico.

Nice! I'm new to this forum (and kayak fishing). I am taking my kayak out on its maiden voyage on Saturday and hope to catch some spotties in Newport Harbor. Any advice for me?

3/8 or 1/2oz (depends on current) underspin with a shad profile trailer......

Cool, thanks. Any tips on spots to fish in the harbor?

I've never fished there, but this advice was infinitely useful for me to learn how to fish in SoCal harbors...

It's all about current and moving water. Find where the moving water meets structure or cover (know the difference between the two) and you've found a fishy spot. Vary your retrieve until you find what is working and you're golden. If you are having a hard time finding the bite, slow down. Most of my biggest bites in MDR have been from a dead-stick (non-moving) bait.

If you don't have a graph, you can fish rock walls, pilings, slips, moored boats, kelp, eel grass all the same way.

Thanks for the great advice! Since I don't have any electronics, I will focus on structure this Saturday. I will also be on the lookout for moving water. Thanks again for your help.

I'll add that a lot of my fish have come while pausing the retrieve on the underspin.

Are you fishing tomorrow? I am going to try and launch at 6. Have never fished Newport before. Figured its about time to branch out from Dana Point hah.

No fishing tomorrow. back is really sore from work. Probably hit the Pipe next Saturday.