San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Hey John, just seeing this post. We were out there the same day! Interesting experience for us as well -- the spotties were oddly few and far between. We had some variety though -- caught quite a few smelt, a small flounder, a large ray, a few small halibut, and this one -- just an inch under a ...

JWall wrote: Thu Feb 20, 2025 12:48 pm That’s a beaut!! Good job fighting thru what was a slower day for myself and others!

For us it was a decent day -- especially if I don't read the forums where folks are catching 50+ solo! We caught around 20 total and had a blast

Makes me peel pine...

https://youtu.be/bAUoVjnDqZU

Hey all,
I headed out last Sunday to Mission Bay with the hopes to make a video about making lure fishing easier. I wanted to showcase 3 baits that are easy for anyone to catch fish with on the bay. The first was the chatterbait. I used both the traditional bigger bait ...

Got down to Shelter Island before sunup. The last few weeks I haven’t been able to buy a bite. A guy and his son I’ve ran into a few times showed up, we’re chatting and I got what felt like a huge bump, rod bendo, felt like it was glued to the bottom and there was zero fight, just dead weight. I ...

I went out with the Mrs. this morning. Her first fish was a nice little butterfly ray, her first. A few fish here and there. We headed back down toward J Street around 11:30 and drifted in front of the Cays. She figured out what they wanted (3” Big Hammer) and proceeded to catch 15 fish over the ...

Typical session this morning catching spotties then snagged a monster. Was thinking hali at first but after awhile it became dead weight. Towed me around Mariners and finally was able to beach and land the huge mud marlin on 10 lb. Was a fun surprise. Thanks

Lots of brands will work fine. I use 8 lb Gliss for spinning and 6 lb Ande mono for baitcasting (but have one reel with 10 lb for heavier lures). For leader, I just use 6 or 10 lb Vanish fluorocarbon, typically only 1-2' long. J-braid is nice for spinning too. I rarely get broken off even though ...

Float tube:
Medium action baitcast rods, 80 size reels, 6 lb. Izorline XXX mono. When I tie a separate leader (with a swivel), 8 lb. flouro. This is for throwing 1/4 ounce lures.
Medium spinning rods, 2000 size reels, 4 lb Izorline XXX Mono. For hardbaits.

Shore fishing:
Same setups, but...
might ...

6lb to 10lb straight mono.

From my float tube I’m running 10lb braid to a 6lb leader. Sometimes flouro, sometimes mono, I’m not 100% sold on which I prefer. You can get away with light line in a float tube by keeping your drag light. Let the fish run. If it gets into structure, just sit on top of the fish and it’ll swim out ...

I use on my baitcasters 20 lb braid to 12 lb. Fluorocarbon.

Just my two cents... Maxima "Ultragreen." (my fav) No leader necessary unless targeting toothy critters.

:) I’ve been working my way up. I mostly fish 30 braid, with 15 pound Flourocarbon or Maxima Clear for Topwater. I was just sick of getting my ass kicked by the big fish I hook often enough to start fishing bigger. Now I land the big Halibut, the occasional Angel Shark, and White Seabass that range ...

I was on the water at 6:30 am. Caught 2 Bass the first hour. Then nothing for the next 2 hours. My shoulder was starting to hurt. Since it was a nice day out. Like summer, I decided to do some trolling around the bay. Caught 4 more on the troll. Off the water by 11:00 am.

FYI, you should consider physical therapy. I had some surgery on my shoulder a few years ago, went to physical therapy and regained full range of movement. Then a few months later, started hurting and went to physical therapy again and with a few exercises, problem went away in a few days.

I have ...

Rented a Skiff out of Coronado and fished the bay. Caught a legal Halibut [no picture as she wasn't cooperating] a sick Sculpin several deep spotties and a skiff pulling batray....We were looking for sand bass but to no avail.

The Sandies are usually farther down the harbor and fairly deep in the channel. We drift 1/2 leadheads, with the Tide. All White for Halibut/Sandies, Green/Red for Sandies, Spotties, Sculpin. They are on the bottom, stay in contact with it.

JWall wrote: Tue Oct 28, 2025 10:18 am

Midnightpass wrote: Sun Oct 26, 2025 8:47 am

Bendo wrote: Sat Oct 25, 2025 9:57 am 64 sure is fun….whats next?

77 ...
Butch

If you are lucky!!

Well I’m lucky…I guess. ….
Butch

Midnightpass wrote: Tue Oct 28, 2025 2:50 pm

JWall wrote: Tue Oct 28, 2025 10:18 am

Midnightpass wrote: Sun Oct 26, 2025 8:47 am

Bendo wrote: Sat Oct 25, 2025 9:57 am 64 sure is fun….whats next?

77 ...
Butch

If you are lucky!!

Well I’m lucky…I guess. ….
Butch

Knock on wood