Salt Creek Beach - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Montesdad · 12-01-2011, 01:21 PM

I've launched a couple of times from the Salt Creek area to get to the kelp beds. One needs to roll down towards the west end of the beach and launch / land there. It is one miserable trip back up that steep hill to the parking lot and you probably should take a few breaks or have a friend help you up.

I was stopped last time by a newer female ranger who indicated I should not be launching and landing there. Told her I've launched and landed at San Clemente pier, Doheny, Crystal Cove etc. and could not find anything preventing a launch and landing there. Mentioned that I went way out of the way of any potential watergoers. She pulled out her book of regs and could not located anything specific preventing a kayak (as it's not a boat) from launching and since it's not an SUP, (as I mentioned to her) is classed like a surfboard.

Anyway, got down and launched early before the lifeguards even set up and you gotta land somewhere. After a couple of times doing that, now I take the long way around from the marina.

taggermike · 12-02-2011, 01:14 PM

X2 with Montesdad. I've dealt with the "Authority" mind set around there too. YOU CAN'T, oh wait maybe you can. At fisherman"s Cove I had an 18 year old, very young any way, life guard demanded to see my fishing license. I'm sure she had zero authority to do that but I figured if I refused she'd get on the radio to some one who did and have them grill me for a while. I paddled out at 1 foot Doho and after landing through the "pounding" ankle high waves I got a lecture from the life guard that I was unsafe and could have lost control of my kayak and injured some one. I even stayed as far to the jetty side and as far away from the surfers as possible and I still got the authority lecture. I had some real trouble keeping a civil tonge in my head. Mike

MVC · 12-03-2011, 03:44 PM

Fished Dana Point today. Reset the trip meter on my GPS and launched from Baby Beach to the bait barge and out to the kelp about 1 mile north of the red marker. The round trip mileage was 9 miles. Not too hard on a Hobie. The trip paid off with a 34 inch halibut. I will post a pic once I get them downloaded. Did not see any other kayakers out.

12-01-2011, 01:21 PM	#1
Montesdad Grey Haired Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: So. Orange County Posts: 53	I've launched a couple of times from the Salt Creek area to get to the kelp beds. One needs to roll down towards the west end of the beach and launch / land there. It is one miserable trip back up that steep hill to the parking lot and you probably should take a few breaks or have a friend help you up. I was stopped last time by a newer female ranger who indicated I should not be launching and landing there. Told her I've launched and landed at San Clemente pier, Doheny, Crystal Cove etc. and could not find anything preventing a launch and landing there. Mentioned that I went way out of the way of any potential watergoers. She pulled out her book of regs and could not located anything specific preventing a kayak (as it's not a boat) from launching and since it's not an SUP, (as I mentioned to her) is classed like a surfboard. Anyway, got down and launched early before the lifeguards even set up and you gotta land somewhere. After a couple of times doing that, now I take the long way around from the marina. __________________ - - - "I'm fishing as hard as I can" - - -

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-02-2011, 01:14 PM	#2
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	X2 with Montesdad. I've dealt with the "Authority" mind set around there too. YOU CAN'T, oh wait maybe you can. At fisherman"s Cove I had an 18 year old, very young any way, life guard demanded to see my fishing license. I'm sure she had zero authority to do that but I figured if I refused she'd get on the radio to some one who did and have them grill me for a while. I paddled out at 1 foot Doho and after landing through the "pounding" ankle high waves I got a lecture from the life guard that I was unsafe and could have lost control of my kayak and injured some one. I even stayed as far to the jetty side and as far away from the surfers as possible and I still got the authority lecture. I had some real trouble keeping a civil tonge in my head. Mike

12-03-2011, 03:44 PM	#3
MVC Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Costa Mesa Posts: 278	Fished Dana Point today. Reset the trip meter on my GPS and launched from Baby Beach to the bait barge and out to the kelp about 1 mile north of the red marker. The round trip mileage was 9 miles. Not too hard on a Hobie. The trip paid off with a 34 inch halibut. I will post a pic once I get them downloaded. Did not see any other kayakers out.