La jolla Thursday and friday - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Mr. Adventure · 12-13-2011, 08:48 PM

Going down to La Jolla for the first real fishing trip there, figure this will be my only chance to fish the MLPA areas. I don't have a fish finder or GPS and am still a fishing newb so I wanted to run some things by you guys.

All I've ever caught are mackerel and I'd love to just even pull up rockfish. I have my reel spooled with 30lb spectra and was figurin I'll just do a dropper loop with two hooks on it and pin frozen squid/ shrimp and drop it down to the bottom around promising areas, move every 15 minutes if no bites. Jig a saki for bait while I'm at it.

Never been around the point anywhere in particular I should be looking? I'd love to hook up on a yellowtail of course but I'm probably nowhere bear ready for that.

Recommendations on hooks and line test? Should I get a heavy jig to pin squid two and work that while I soak stuff? Probably wouldn't hurt to do that to even practice casting, I still get my daiwa wavmaster all tangled anytime I try casting it.

Thanks again! Maybe I'll see some of you out there, help will be returned with beer!

lowprofile · 12-13-2011, 09:54 PM

your not going to stay still on the water, you'll drift. so set a drift from just outside the boueys to the squid grounds. make bait, then drift outside and in between the commercial lobster pots. you should pick up rockfish and calicos in there. they're plentiful. then go ahead and try the kelp. use a 3 or 4oz weight to hit bottom quick while you drift through holes. let it set and drag for a few seconds and dodge the kelp stringers the best you can (you need to be looking into the water at all times, they pop out of no where) and just keep dropping as you find a clear spot. dont be afraid to drop in a small spot where theres only 10ft between stringers. if you can hit bottom quick enough, a few seconds is all it takes to get bit.

Mr. Adventure · 12-13-2011, 10:51 PM

Thanks, I've never made squid before. Should I invest in a squid jig or will a sabiki work? Are the squid grounds just off the point?

The only experience I've had in la jolla is making it out past the buoys making mackerel and dropping them only to have my buddy get violently sea sick and have to turn in. Is making squid a before the sun rises kind of thing?

Super appreciate the info, I have been looking forward to this trip for a few weeks. Going to be a good one in my new x-13.

I was thinking of tying off to the kelp but pot hole drifting sounds like a whole lot more fun.

eertkao · 12-13-2011, 11:05 PM

Hey guys! I'm in the same boat as you are mr.adventure

Although I have yet to rig my kayak, I'm going to plan a LJ trip soon and would like to know the answers to your questions.

I look forward to some good info!

T Bone · 12-14-2011, 03:20 AM

Squid will hit a sabiki quite well.just reel them up slow.

grey zone · 12-14-2011, 12:53 PM

You should hire a guide or at least get some basic saftey equipment like a GPS and a compass. I think your underestimating what your getting into.

james92026 · 12-14-2011, 01:15 PM

Well.....not knowing your experience, I can only relate to my own.

I thought I was confident in my abilities, I seemed to handle most basic maneurvers, I had confidence in the stability of my Cobra Navigator, so...I foolishly ventured out of Oceanside Harbor (alone) about 1/2 mile and found myself swimming unexpectedly. Many reasons, (as depicted in earlier post "Impromptu Ocean Swim"), but the point is, it happened so fast and unexpected I am hesitant to go out again until I practice re-entry several times in warmer water. I now have proper attire and while I am confident that it would be different, I dont feel ready......yet!

Good luck, BUT DO NOT GO ALONE!

PescadorPete · 12-14-2011, 01:40 PM

Keep an eye on the wind:

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST

COASTAL WATERS FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
151 PM PST WED DEC 14 2011

SAN MATEO POINT TO THE MEXICAN BORDER OUT 60 NM

PZZ700-150600-
151 PM PST WED DEC 14 2011

.SYNOPSIS FOR FAR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST...
AS WEAK HIGH PRESSURE BRIEFLY BUILDS OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
TONIGHT...EXPECT DRY CONDITIONS WITH A LIGHT OFFSHORE FLOW. ON
THURSDAY A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE APPROACHING FROM THE NORTH WILL
BRING STRONGER ONSHORE WINDS IN THE AFTERNOON...AND A CHANCE FOR
LIGHT SHOWERS THURSDAY NIGHT. DRY OFFSHORE FLOW DEVELOPS FRIDAY
BEHIND THE DEPARTING COLD FRONT AND WILL CONTINUE INTO THE WEEKEND.

Mr. Adventure · 12-14-2011, 02:03 PM

Just got my waders and compass, have a pfd will head in if the conditions get too sketchy. I've been out a good number of times now and have not flipped but have practiced re-entry enough to feel safe. I checked the weather conditions it all looks okay. The wind forecast looked pretty moderate.

Are there guides for La Jolla this time of year? Any anyone recommends? I know it can get hairy out there real quick, I have no problem heading back in when I know I'm out of my element.

coxtanker421 · 12-14-2011, 02:34 PM

made squid just fine. would like to post all my true feelings but some members may frown . lots of black sea bass hooked and released. did not see anybody bring in the right kind. PM if you would like all the dirty details.

lowprofile · 12-14-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Adventure

Just got my waders and compass, have a pfd will head in if the conditions get too sketchy. I've been out a good number of times now and have not flipped but have practiced re-entry enough to feel safe. I checked the weather conditions it all looks okay. The wind forecast looked pretty moderate.

Are there guides for La Jolla this time of year? Any anyone recommends? I know it can get hairy out there real quick, I have no problem heading back in when I know I'm out of my element.

the kid is a guide there. if you really want to get put on fish then go for it, but if you like to adventure and not really care if you have a full stringer at then end then go solo. ill be out there sat. and i've been in 13mph winds 5ft swells with no problem. well. it was a bit of a problem, but nothing you cant handle by just paying attention to your surroundings and keep moving. you may want a drift sock and kelp clip as well.

driftwood · 12-14-2011, 08:25 PM

The forcast calls for foggy conditions and windy. make sure your GPS has fresh batteries.

Mr. Adventure · 12-16-2011, 04:26 AM

Got out on the water at 2:30Pm yesterday and paddled out to the kelp and potholed for about 20 minutes and just scouted stuff out. Now to go have a wonderful day out there

12-13-2011, 08:48 PM	#1
Mr. Adventure Damn Hippy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 311	La jolla Thursday and friday Going down to La Jolla for the first real fishing trip there, figure this will be my only chance to fish the MLPA areas. I don't have a fish finder or GPS and am still a fishing newb so I wanted to run some things by you guys. All I've ever caught are mackerel and I'd love to just even pull up rockfish. I have my reel spooled with 30lb spectra and was figurin I'll just do a dropper loop with two hooks on it and pin frozen squid/ shrimp and drop it down to the bottom around promising areas, move every 15 minutes if no bites. Jig a saki for bait while I'm at it. Never been around the point anywhere in particular I should be looking? I'd love to hook up on a yellowtail of course but I'm probably nowhere bear ready for that. Recommendations on hooks and line test? Should I get a heavy jig to pin squid two and work that while I soak stuff? Probably wouldn't hurt to do that to even practice casting, I still get my daiwa wavmaster all tangled anytime I try casting it. Thanks again! Maybe I'll see some of you out there, help will be returned with beer!

12-14-2011, 03:20 AM	#5
T Bone Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 871	Squid will hit a sabiki quite well.just reel them up slow. __________________ Barachit Baralah,Elohim-In the beginning,God-Genesis 1:1 "Who among you,if your son asked for a fish would give them a serpent " Jesus Matt. 7:10

12-14-2011, 02:34 PM	#10
coxtanker421 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 270	Just got back made squid just fine. would like to post all my true feelings but some members may frown . lots of black sea bass hooked and released. did not see anybody bring in the right kind. PM if you would like all the dirty details.

12-13-2011, 09:54 PM	#2
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,476	your not going to stay still on the water, you'll drift. so set a drift from just outside the boueys to the squid grounds. make bait, then drift outside and in between the commercial lobster pots. you should pick up rockfish and calicos in there. they're plentiful. then go ahead and try the kelp. use a 3 or 4oz weight to hit bottom quick while you drift through holes. let it set and drag for a few seconds and dodge the kelp stringers the best you can (you need to be looking into the water at all times, they pop out of no where) and just keep dropping as you find a clear spot. dont be afraid to drop in a small spot where theres only 10ft between stringers. if you can hit bottom quick enough, a few seconds is all it takes to get bit.

12-13-2011, 10:51 PM	#3
Mr. Adventure Damn Hippy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 311	Thanks, I've never made squid before. Should I invest in a squid jig or will a sabiki work? Are the squid grounds just off the point? The only experience I've had in la jolla is making it out past the buoys making mackerel and dropping them only to have my buddy get violently sea sick and have to turn in. Is making squid a before the sun rises kind of thing? Super appreciate the info, I have been looking forward to this trip for a few weeks. Going to be a good one in my new x-13. I was thinking of tying off to the kelp but pot hole drifting sounds like a whole lot more fun.

12-13-2011, 11:05 PM	#4
eertkao Steve-O. Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: North OC Posts: 120	Hey guys! I'm in the same boat as you are mr.adventure Although I have yet to rig my kayak, I'm going to plan a LJ trip soon and would like to know the answers to your questions. I look forward to some good info!

12-14-2011, 12:53 PM	#6
grey zone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 158	You should hire a guide or at least get some basic saftey equipment like a GPS and a compass. I think your underestimating what your getting into.

12-14-2011, 01:15 PM	#7
james92026 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Escondido CA Posts: 114	Well.....not knowing your experience, I can only relate to my own. I thought I was confident in my abilities, I seemed to handle most basic maneurvers, I had confidence in the stability of my Cobra Navigator, so...I foolishly ventured out of Oceanside Harbor (alone) about 1/2 mile and found myself swimming unexpectedly. Many reasons, (as depicted in earlier post "Impromptu Ocean Swim"), but the point is, it happened so fast and unexpected I am hesitant to go out again until I practice re-entry several times in warmer water. I now have proper attire and while I am confident that it would be different, I dont feel ready......yet! Good luck, BUT DO NOT GO ALONE!

12-14-2011, 01:40 PM	#8
PescadorPete Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leucadia, CA Posts: 261	Keep an eye on the wind: COASTAL WATERS FORECAST COASTAL WATERS FORECAST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA 151 PM PST WED DEC 14 2011 SAN MATEO POINT TO THE MEXICAN BORDER OUT 60 NM PZZ700-150600- 151 PM PST WED DEC 14 2011 .SYNOPSIS FOR FAR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST... AS WEAK HIGH PRESSURE BRIEFLY BUILDS OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TONIGHT...EXPECT DRY CONDITIONS WITH A LIGHT OFFSHORE FLOW. ON THURSDAY A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE APPROACHING FROM THE NORTH WILL BRING STRONGER ONSHORE WINDS IN THE AFTERNOON...AND A CHANCE FOR LIGHT SHOWERS THURSDAY NIGHT. DRY OFFSHORE FLOW DEVELOPS FRIDAY BEHIND THE DEPARTING COLD FRONT AND WILL CONTINUE INTO THE WEEKEND.

12-14-2011, 02:03 PM	#9
Mr. Adventure Damn Hippy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 311	Just got my waders and compass, have a pfd will head in if the conditions get too sketchy. I've been out a good number of times now and have not flipped but have practiced re-entry enough to feel safe. I checked the weather conditions it all looks okay. The wind forecast looked pretty moderate. Are there guides for La Jolla this time of year? Any anyone recommends? I know it can get hairy out there real quick, I have no problem heading back in when I know I'm out of my element.

12-14-2011, 08:25 PM	#12
driftwood Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 1,086	The forcast calls for foggy conditions and windy. make sure your GPS has fresh batteries.

12-16-2011, 04:26 AM	#13
Mr. Adventure Damn Hippy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 311	Got out on the water at 2:30Pm yesterday and paddled out to the kelp and potholed for about 20 minutes and just scouted stuff out. Now to go have a wonderful day out there