San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

First time launching the float tube out of the Coronado Cays was an absolute blast. By 5:30am, another float tube and I were out on the water and right away the bite was on. I've heard people say they’ve had incredible days out in the South Bay with almost 100 bass caught but I didn’t really believe it until I saw it.

The bass were just about guaranteed to bite any small bait near the bottom such as a ned rig or 3 inch curly tail grub. The Zman TRD was my go to plastic as they hold up really well even after catching a dozen spotties. I threw most of the tackle box at them just to see what they would and wouldn't go for. To my surprise I found they loved a 1/6 ounce thomas bouyant, hitting it before it even had a chance to fall to the bottom. Not much luck with spinner baits and crankbaits.

I ended up with about 50 spotties, would have had more if I had just stuck with the little ned rig. The other guy had 75 plus a very nice barracuda that took him for a ride. Most of the bass were small but it didn't really matter when you were never going more than five minutes without another fish on.

Had to pull the tube out and patch a hole after reeling in a bass a bit too ambitously. I sometimes forget how sharp their spines can be.
More or less the route we took while riding the tides

Nice float... Gotta watch those bass... I've poked a few holes in myself handling them... Very good #s...
Butch

If you're in the South bay in winter and there's a lot of water movement and you can move around (not locked into a shore spot), it can be stupid easy.

Ignore that other guy. He's a carpetbagger and a dog thief.

Sounds like a great time. I may have to spend some time in that area you were fishing next time I’m out.

Caught most of them on some ball jig heads Carpkiller gave me (he will probably ask for them back now) and cheapo 4" curly tail grubs that I buy by the 100 pack from Lockett lures. Lost about 2 heads and 6 tails so my cost was about $1 in lures.

Ned rig did not work as well as the ballhead and curly tail grub although the barracuda went for the Ned. Last week on the opposite side of the bay the Ned was much better than the curly tail/ballhead. Whatever, I don't argue with fish, just give them what they want.

Exact count was 1 barracuda, 1 bonefish, 1 smelt and 73 spotties.

Gotfish? wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:03 pm Caught most of them on some ball jig heads Carpkiller gave me (he will probably ask for them back now) and cheapo 4" curly tail grubs that I buy by the 100 pack from Lockett lures. Lost about 2 heads and 6 tails so my cost was about $1 in lures.

Ned rig did not work as well as the ballhead and curly tail grub although the barracuda went for the Ned. Last week on the opposite side of the bay the Ned was much better than the curly tail/ballhead. Whatever, I don't argue with fish, just give them what they want.

Exact count was 1 barracuda, 1 bonefish, 1 smelt and 73 spotties.

Ah didn’t realize it was you out there, small world of sdfish

Great job. I’ve only been out on the bay a couple times this year. It’s usually my winter jam. The South Bay is one of the best fisheries anywhere. Z-man plastics are the way to go. I used to roll with Keitech but the spotties just tear the tail off.

Gotfish? wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:03 pm Caught most of them on some ball jig heads Carpkiller gave me (he will probably ask for them back now) and cheapo 4" curly tail grubs that I buy by the 100 pack from Lockett lures. Lost about 2 heads and 6 tails so my cost was about $1 in lures.

Ned rig did not work as well as the ballhead and curly tail grub although the barracuda went for the Ned. Last week on the opposite side of the bay the Ned was much better than the curly tail/ballhead. Whatever, I don't argue with fish, just give them what they want.

Exact count was 1 barracuda, 1 bonefish, 1 smelt and 73 spotties.

You're a spotty catching machine!