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.

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

12-13-2011, 09:54 PM	#2
lowprofile #1 on fishstick's hitlist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,477	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.