San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Just a heads up for those who fish Mission & Pacific beaches. Was out late yesterday to SMB for an evening sunset session. Water was warm, would say about 60, but kaka . . . chocolate milk & puke green foam. Red tide conditions looked like to me. It was everywhere from jetty to half way up to Belmont Park. I bailed after doing the walk. Don't know about BP & north as no parking available to check out. Thought I might get lucky and find a spot at the usual places I park when at PB in the AM but no such luck so don't know about that area.

I’ve been surfing Law St and Tourmaline the last 3 days, water has been murky but not red tide conditions up that way. Yesterday, while sitting in the line up around Law St, the remains of 2 sand crabs floated by, good size for bait. The right size crabs are out there somewhere. Surf app says water is 62 degrees but felt colder to me.

I can’t speak for others but I have not had any luck with SMB even when the conditions are right. Is this place just extremely hit or miss ? Or is it just the basic layout that makes it not so appealing for decent fishing? To me is just seems flat all around.

I have had better luck in the north county area

Flat as a pancake no structure fairly typical during winter. Dink perch mostly which is why I don't fish it that time of year. I'm just getting back into it this month, more recon looking for new holes/troughs to target hali's around grunion runs. Always have a 2nd rod c rigged for the unexpected corbina or croaker that might be holding in a hole.

Overall, Mission and PB are great late spring/summer time beaches for corbina, croaker & other species. They should start showing in greater numbers as water warms and sand crabs appear.

Just an update, got out to Mission 2 days ago. Water conditions real good, sand crabs showed up finally. Lot of small perch, a few larger 8-10 models. Only slabs caught that I was aware of were by-catches from guys tossing LC's for hali's. Water 60+ and with crabs now showing, won't be long for reports of corbina and croakers.

Perch killer wrote: Sun Apr 27, 2025 11:27 am Just an update, got out to Mission 2 days ago. Water conditions real good, sand crabs showed up finally. Lot of small perch, a few larger 8-10 models. Only slabs caught that I was aware of were by-catches from guys tossing LC's for hali's. Water 60+ and with crabs now showing, won't be long for reports of corbina and croakers.

This helps..

https://hdontap.com/stream/018408/scrip ... ve-webcam/