Air: cold (for San Diego anyway) with a slight chance of rain.
Water temp: warm.
Fishing: warmer.
Crowd: gone!
Enter classic Fall conditions: The Summer circus has left the building and the fishing has been good to great. Depending on who you talk to, of course. Somehow, someway, there's been no reports of local Yellowtail being caught in ages. Or, White Sea Bass for that matter. This, mind you, after the 'post your reports on time revolution' and all. Oh, the irony!
There's been bait 'o plenty in local waters, though. And regardless of the inclement weather the water temps have held their ground. Along with your odds of success on any given day. The typical traffic on the water has been, well, who are we kidding---null and void. Just classic Fall conditions.
For some reason every year, as soon as the slalom course of commercial Lobster traps come into play two things happen. The fish move around a bit (so the random lucky catches come to a grinding halt) and the ambulance chasers quit fishing. The reels go in for service after all the wet launches; and wetter landings. The hoop nets come out in full force and the sabiki-rod becomes the go-to rig. With a lighter Bass set-up following a very close second. The boards are all the buzz with bugs, bugs and more um, bugs. Keep in mind, though, this is the time when a dialed-in angler can have the Jewel to himself. More often than not you'll be fishing all by your lonesome. And go ahead and get used to that for the months to follow, too. If you're looking for a glimpse back to the good 'ol days, well, this is as close as you're going to get!
Barring the minuscule shot of a, wide-open squid bite, being leaked on the internet, of course. Which does happen on occasion---albeit highly unlikely. Certainly not something I'd recommend holding out for. Just, um, don't hold your breath. My advice doesn't alter as the leaves start to turn; it's the same advice I'd give you in Summer as a matter of fact: go fishing if and when you get a chance. Anyway, just thought I'd throw out a reminder of the obvious: The Pacific Ocean is big. And if we're talking about Southern California in particular, quite healthy and full of life. If you find the time you might want to take a long look around.
Regardless of the species that wets your whistle, I can assure you, they're swimming in local waters. Maybe keep a yo-yo iron set up on board when you're out catching Lobster bait. And keep your eyes open. Wide open. Who knows, while Summer is quickly fading away in the rear view mirror---it just might be your lucky day.
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Did I mention that the rock-fishing has been off the chain?
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For the ambulance chasers, yes, the photo is from today. Catching Yellowtail is easy---chasing Yellowtail that are already dead, now, that's another story.