San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Bay Fishing: The Ins and Outs to Fishing Mission Bay, By DJ Thrillz

Before we really start diving into everything, I found a map that may be very helpful as you read through this article. If it isn’t clear enough, here’s a link to download the full-size file.


Mission_Bay_Fishing_Map_.jpg ...

Got out for a slow but consistent day in the back bay. Thought with the really low tide the fish would be pushed towards the deeper water. Not sure if they were but there was a decent bite on small to average sides spotties, 1 bone fish, 1 halibut and 1 Midshipman. Not sure why but that fish looks ...

Cap and the fresh water’s been fun, but I decided to close to home today. I honestly had a bit of a rough session to start. Forgot my trolling motor battery at home, so had to put in the workout on my tube today. Then got on the water and realized I forgot my sunglasses in the car. To top it off, I ...

On the kastmaster, what else? Mission Bay from shore.

Hi all!

2025 was the my first year of surf fishing after many, many years of fishing freshwater around San Diego. It all started on a camping trip at South Carlsbad State Beach before Memorial Day Weekend. I'd joked that I was just going to eat what I caught, and brought a couple small poles and ...

Personal best jacksmelt! Glassy gentle conditions from 0645 to 0820. Salad become moderate to heavy halfway into session. A few perch bites, one dink landed. All action on the chrome and orange kastmaster.

I am going to design and market a 21 inch cooler. :)




I was out there this morning, too, but I must’ve been a bit north of you as I didn’t see anyone else fishing at all.

Agreed on conditions. Pretty calm as the morning high tide receded. Little bit of a northward current but it didn’t ...

Nice conditions this AM notwithstanding a fairly strong surge from the SW swell. I'd like to think it was responsible for the lethargic activity. Just a lot of taps & bait stealing from dinks in the nursery. Could not get a decent hit on mussel meat, dried lugs nor Gulp sand worm. Picked off a ...

Got guitarfish, small ray, and legal hali on Torrey Pines today, everything on LC 110.
Guitarfish was pulling like a freight train, took good 5 minutes of fighting to land.

On the water before sunrise, there was already someone fishing in front of the lagoon. I worked my way north of the inlet, chucking the blue and chrome kastmaster into gentle rollers. Shivered my way through some missed bites, no waders today I decided. Doh! Missed a bite then lost a hooked fish ...

You ever have luck fishing the inlet? Ive seen rays and big corbina from the bridge swimming there but never get anything to bite. Usually have best luck fishing in front of the bathrooms by the parking lot.


I never really fish the inlet or outflow itself. The area north of the bathrooms is ...

Today was raining jaksmelt day, a new species for me. Got like 5, all in 1ft range, decent fighters. Everything on LC110.

Thanks for the report! Good to know some halibut are in the neighborhood.

Sounds familiar from a few others; tough to connect seems to have been a common theme. A few good hook ups for a some will bring you back.

What is the buy in. And can you use any bait or only honey badger..

$20 buy in open to anybody. Any legal means to fish. Bait is also legal. I have fun meeting people from all over the coast. Larry sets the tournament up and he runs a great show. My Partner caught the Halibut.

Nice early corbina... Can't wait until they come out in force... Good effort..
Butch

Tamarack 3-22-26. 1 8" BSP on the c-rig grub. I hooked something so large I could not pull it in and then it shook the hook.


Same happened to me last week, C-Rig Gulp worm, thought I snagged as couldn't pull the line, but then felt some head shakes and line started zipping from the reel, I ...

Half of the Anglers didn't catch anything. It was slow although great looking water. The Raffle is great and its really a fun tournament. Good People just creating memories.

Great Report...Thank you!