Water clarity and eelgrass

[Gotfish?]

Have others noticed the bay seems a lot murkier with less eelgrass than previous years?

Lack of eelgrass can decrease water clarity since the roots hold in sediment that is otherwise stirred up by the tides. And there is a positive feedback mechanism in that poor water clarity reduces the maximum depth eelgrass can survive in.

Yesterday, the water temperature got to 68F at Coronado bridge. 68F is supposed to be the upper range for optimum temperature for eelgrass and it is only going to get warmer in the summer. Pretty warm for what was officially the 1st day of spring (vernal equinox).

Less eelgrass isn't good for fishing, at least for most species (maybe not mud marlin).

https://www.google.com/search?q=eelgras ... e&ie=UTF-8

FYI, I had 19 spotted bay bass, 1 corvina, 3 short halibut and 2 lizard fish yesterday, launching from Bayside in my tube. Slower than most years. Got a lot of short strikes, maybe a good year for lizard fish.

[Gotfish?]

Correction, I launched from Tidelands.

[inthedeep2]

Yes, eelgrass makes a difference. Lizardfish are everywhere in large numbers. I wonder how the influx of lizardfish has been on all the juvenile bass and other fish in the bay. I have had some pretty crappy days throughout the bay fishing for bass my last 6 or so outings.

[kastmaster]

I have noticed a lot more turbidity, less eelgrass, and a huge drop in spotted bay bass action at Coronado Cays. The invasive Caulerpa seaweed is also a factor in decimating eelgrass

[risentidefishing]

I’ve noticed similar issues with water clarity in the back bay, particularly off the Cays and up along the Silverstrand near Fiddlers. Bass bite has been in a little bit of a funk with all the hot weather

[professionull]

The urban run off that gets pushed into the back bays after storms contributes to the dirty water which doesn't help with eel grass growth not to mention we're getting a head start on algae blooms since our inshore and offshore waters rarely dipped below 60 degrees this winter.

There is a new hybrid type of eel grass that can survive in murky water but I think it's still only in Mission Bay and we need that eel grass so the bass spawn can survive

[Bendo]

The Tides have been fairly mellow the last few days, that will put a dent in the Bass numbers. Clarity can be Algae growth, Silt getting stirred up from big Tides, or a ton Mullet stirring up the mud in the shallows. The biggest weapon is to change up tactics and find new areas that are holding the fish. I’ve been on a lot of bass on the Channel Edges in 25 feet of water. Had to bump up to a 3/8 Jighead to stay in contact with the bottom using 10 pound line. I’ve been fishing Bait Schools more than Meter Marks to get on the most Bass with some bonus Halibut.