Is it just me or is San Diego Bay really hard to fish?

[littleitaly]

I’ve been fishing SD bay fairly consistently for about a year now but still really struggle to catch anything. If I had to guess, I’d say I probably catch a fish every 8 hours of fishing, on average, so I get skunked a majority of the time. Based purely on this abysmal rate, I figure I must be doing something wrong, but at this point I’ve done a good amount of research and feel like I’m doing everything properly.

I pretty much exclusively fish the northern part of the bay around Downtown, Harbor/Shelter Island, and Liberty Station (always from shore), which I’ve read tend to be pretty good areas. I mainly use 3-5” paddletails in dark-ish natural colors, usually with an underspin, and the occasional curltail grub on a drop shot. I use a simple, slow retrieve along the bottom, with the occasional pause or twitch. I’ll usually try to go around sunrise or sunset, but don’t ever schedule my sessions around the tides. I try to fish structure if there is any around, and stay pretty mobile. I’m generally targeting spotties and halibut, the latter of which I have never managed to catch.



All of this is to say that I’m following all of the supposedly tried-and-true advice I’ve seen on here or other places online. Despite this, though, I have had very little luck and am growing a bit frustrated. Is there something obvious I’m doing wrong? Should I schedule my sessions around the tide rather than the sun? Should I keep hunting for better spots? Am I using the wrong techniques/lures? Or is fishing from shore in the bay so tough that this is typical? I’d love to hear some advice from any shore-based anglers who manage to consistently catch in the bay. Or anyone who is also struggling as bad as I am lol

[Nelson 1]

I think you need to get out on the water. I do alot of shore fishing it can be tough. Got me a canoe, big game changer. I only fish Mission Bay.
I would try Gulp baits, they catch fish.

[kastmaster]

https://www.sdfish.org/viewtopic.php?t=735

[Bendo]

What do they say about trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result? Change it up, try new spots. Get a Float Tube and get out on the water. Fish with others that you will meet, half of us are really friendly. You will soon be rewarded.

[fglover]

I'm also still definitely a beginner to San Diego, having fished it for a pretty small amount of time. Still, I can see improvement in my catch frequency so here's some tips that maybe will help you like they helped me.

1. Cover water. Covering more water has significantly changed how much I catch. I find that fish usually dont really come to you very often (they can, but I really wouldn't count on it). Changing the lures and tackle I use to heavier stuff to get that extra casting distance really helped me get more out of my spots (BIG fan of casting jigs but to each their own). Particularly covering more of the column has also helped. Fish can be everywhere in the column but it can be really productive to work as much of it as possible. Make sure your setup is really going to get you the proper distance you want.

2. Spot selection. I've never really had a "tried and true" fishing spot (at least from my searches ). Some days a spot can be great and some days the same spot can be a dud. Just gotta make the best out of it.

3. Fish where your tackle supports. If your bait is just getting hung up in salad every cast, its probably in your best interest to either swap baits to something that can handle the conditions, or just move along until you find a less weedy place. This isn't to say that you shouldn't avoid salad entirely, it creates good cover for fish after all so it can be productive, but if you can its usually better to target edges and move along to a place where your lure is active for nearly 100% of the cast.

As for tides and whatnot? I usually go when the tide lines up but I've had bites when it made sense for the tide and also when it hasn't. In my opinion, just go fish.

Yet again, I'm in no way a hyper experienced fishing veteran and I'm also someone who was struggling a lot just like you starting out. Take the tips with a grain of salt and happy fishing

[Gotfish?]

This time of year from a float tube, I average about 3-4 spotties an hour and an occasional halibut, maybe a legal every 2-4 trips. A kayak or tube makes a big difference. Winter time is usually even better. I see a lot of shore fishermen when I am fishing from the float tube. I don't think I have ever seen one hooked up although I know some catch fish.

Once you have a tube or kayak, the tips at https://www.sdfish.org/viewtopic.php?p= ... ips#p19483 should work for you. It helps a lot to fish with others who know how to catch fish. There are people who do fish from the shore and catch fish, you should try to find one of them and learn. From what I know, they are more likely to use jerkbaits (to stay above the grass) or natural baits (ghost shrimp, frozen squid, supermarket shrimp) or even Gulp.

As far as tides, current helps a lot. Best time is about 1 hour after slack tide but sometimes it will be good as long as the water is moving. It often dies at slack tide but not always.

[Spektrum]

The problem is fishing from shore. It’s an entirely different experience once you have a way to get out onto the water.

[littleitaly]

This time of year from a float tube, I average about 3-4 spotties an hour and an occasional halibut, maybe a legal every 2-4 trips. A kayak or tube makes a big difference. Winter time is usually even better. I see a lot of shore fishermen when I am fishing from the float tube. I don't think I have ever seen one hooked up although I know some catch fish.

Once you have a tube or kayak, the tips at https://www.sdfish.org/viewtopic.php?p= ... ips#p19483 should work for you. It helps a lot to fish with others who know how to catch fish. There are people who do fish from the shore and catch fish, you should try to find one of them and learn. From what I know, they are more likely to use jerkbaits (to stay above the grass) or natural baits (ghost shrimp, frozen squid, supermarket shrimp) or even Gulp.

As far as tides, current helps a lot. Best time is about 1 hour after slack tide but sometimes it will be good as long as the water is moving. It often dies at slack tide but not always.

Will definitely look into getting one, thanks for the response

[littleitaly]

I'm also still definitely a beginner to San Diego, having fished it for a pretty small amount of time. Still, I can see improvement in my catch frequency so here's some tips that maybe will help you like they helped me.

1. Cover water. Covering more water has significantly changed how much I catch. I find that fish usually dont really come to you very often (they can, but I really wouldn't count on it). Changing the lures and tackle I use to heavier stuff to get that extra casting distance really helped me get more out of my spots (BIG fan of casting jigs but to each their own). Particularly covering more of the column has also helped. Fish can be everywhere in the column but it can be really productive to work as much of it as possible. Make sure your setup is really going to get you the proper distance you want.

2. Spot selection. I've never really had a "tried and true" fishing spot (at least from my searches ). Some days a spot can be great and some days the same spot can be a dud. Just gotta make the best out of it.

3. Fish where your tackle supports. If your bait is just getting hung up in salad every cast, its probably in your best interest to either swap baits to something that can handle the conditions, or just move along until you find a less weedy place. This isn't to say that you shouldn't avoid salad entirely, it creates good cover for fish after all so it can be productive, but if you can its usually better to target edges and move along to a place where your lure is active for nearly 100% of the cast.

As for tides and whatnot? I usually go when the tide lines up but I've had bites when it made sense for the tide and also when it hasn't. In my opinion, just go fish.

Yet again, I'm in no way a hyper experienced fishing veteran and I'm also someone who was struggling a lot just like you starting out. Take the tips with a grain of salt and happy fishing

Interesting, thanks for the advice!

[DarkShadow]

I think the consensus is in! You need to get off the shore.

I have a motto, especially when fishing in California. If you're close to where you parked, you ain't gonna catch much.

Mathematically speaking, easy and accessible spots are hit the hardest. If you can get a tube or kayak or SUP, or a floating unicorn, getting on the water now puts you at the advantage of targeting less pressured areas.

The only thing I can say that would help your shoreline attack is to scout from the sky. Zoom out and start trying to figure out choke points, current lines, channel breaks, and all that fun stuff that fish will relate to. See if there is parking near by and somewhere you can walk to it.

Get away from the crowds and you'll find fish more willing to eat.

Of course, find how fish are moving in relation to the tides, the season and the weather. All that homework will put you at an advantage.

[Carpkiller]

Shore fishing can be tough.
Some guys consistently do well dragging a grub that's texas-rigged behind a bullet weight...right through the grass. Seems like mornings are better.
You might also find areas where you can move around along the shore, and that eliminates a lot of San Diego Bay.

Since the water's warm, now would be an ideal time to try float-tubing; you can get away with trunkin' it. Ask to tag along with someone on the float tube board. Lots of people have spare float tubes that don't leak too much air too fast...and they might have spare fins as well.

Be advised, though...before you ask, be ready to go when THEY want to fish. If they like sunrise sessions, or a certain tide, there are good reasons for it.