San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

I been hitting the Harbor hard this year as Puddingstone was tough early in the season and been closed to fishing for many weeks. Those who fish the Harbor know the bite centers on the Tides. The more moving water the better although not necessarily the biggest tide of the day. I try to hit good moving water, launch where it will wash me along the areas I like to fish, the Tide turns around and brings me back to my get in spot. I have been mentoring my young friend Jake in the ways of Bass fishing both fresh and salt. Here are a couple of Spotted Bay Bass we got on his first couple Float Tubing Trips. We got all our fish on 1/4 oz Lunker City Jigheads and ZMan Chattershads in Bad Shad.

Nice job!
Looks like a fun time.
Thanks for sharing

Good for you on getting Jake out… Nice SBB too.. I don’t tube at all, and don’t fish the bays as much as I used to, but they can really produce… Nice fishing for you two..
Butch

Orange County seems to be very anti-fishing. In the last few years they took Float Tubing and Kayaking completely away from us in the freshwater lakes. We have plenty of water. Siphon, Rattlesnake, Oso, Laguna, Irvine, Peters Canyon, Santa Ana River Lakes. No Tubes or Kayaks. Now, vandals broke into an Electrical Box at Puddingstone, my closest Lake, so they closed the Lake to Fishing altogether. For months. The Harbors are all we have left. Luckily, Newport is on fire with the biggest Spotties I’ve caught in 20 years and lots of bonus big, thick Halibut and Calicos and Sand Bass. The Harbor has been loaded with bait size Lizardfish, and everything is spitting them up. So, with a Truck that gets 10 miles to the Gallon, I do the 40 mile round trip often. Plus free parking and launching if you are savvy. These were skiff Pics but I do as well on my Yak and Tube, just tougher to get good pics.

Very nice bay fish... Maybe I should give Newport a try... I don't do kayaks or tubes, but there is always the shoreline...
Butch

Butch-
Before all the floaties, I fished the shore for 10 years. First thing to remember is you can access any beach below the high tide line. You will get people coming out threatening to call the Police on you. Tell them to please be quiet and go ahead. You are fine. There are long stretches that you can wade at high tide and walk on when the tide is lower. Casting between the docks will put you on fish you may not be able to handle without braid and heavy leader. The pilings are rough. Still I’ve caught plenty of Bass, Halibut, and some monster Yellowfin Croaker from the shoreline areas. Balboa Island and Little Island, as well as the area from 24th street to the Wedge are good areas. Be nice, stay happy, don’t engage with the nuts and you will be fine. All you need is a pocket full of 1/4 oz. Jigheads and some 4-5 inch Swimbaits. You will have a blast.

Thank you for all of that advice… Lottsa good info there… Have fun on your floaties, and tight lines…
Butch

It’s my “Back Yard”. You ever want to go, I’ve got an extra Hobie Float Tube. So much less walking! We launch at half tide, let the current float us along the docks, take 5 at the peak, let the current wash us back to the get out spot. Then we eat because there is no better food than after Tubing Food!

Bendo wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 5:24 pm It’s my “Back Yard”. You ever want to go, I’ve got an extra Hobie Float Tube. So much less walking! We launch at half tide, let the current float us along the docks, take 5 at the peak, let the current wash us back to the get out spot. Then we eat because there is no better food than after Tubing Food!

Thank you... That is a wonderful offer... I will decline it though.. I need the exercise of walking, and really to old and beat up to start tubing... If I get over to your neck-o-the-woods, I''l give you a PM about maybe a meet up... Thanks again for the offer..
Butch

Ya Butch, you sit in a comfortable seat, out of the water, and cast to the most awesome spots, where you just know you re going to get bit. We don’t wear waders in the Summer, just a pair of old shoes and some strap on fins. Catch some fish, and leave when you are done. Don’t get me wrong, launching at Pigs, and kicking to the back of Hauser is like running a 10k. You can get a great workout if you want.
(Barrett talk). I’m 64, with Three healed Spinal Fractures, plus got ran over by a Landscaping Trailer last year on my Bicycle. Still go once or twice a week. They are Hobies, well made and no leaks, plus a PFD clipped to your seat. It’s all free, my favorite part. Just sayin’…
( Funny the extent of my walking is pushing the Cart around the Supermarket. I can and do ride my Bike 100 miles twice a year)

Bendo wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2025 1:39 pm Ya Butch, you sit in a comfortable seat, out of the water, and cast to the most awesome spots, where you just know you re going to get bit. We don’t wear waders in the Summer, just a pair of old shoes and some strap on fins. Catch some fish, and leave when you are done. Don’t get me wrong, launching at Pigs, and kicking to the back of Hauser is like running a 10k. You can get a great workout if you want.
(Barrett talk). I’m 64, with Three healed Spinal Fractures, plus got ran over by a Landscaping Trailer last year on my Bicycle. Still go once or twice a week. They are Hobies, well made and no leaks, plus a PFD clipped to your seat. It’s all free, my favorite part. Just sayin’…
( Funny the extent of my walking is pushing the Cart around the Supermarket. I can and do ride my Bike 100 miles twice a year)

Thanks again, but my 77yr old knees and lack of balance says no thank you… I do appreciate the offer… I can put one foot in front of the other and walk the beach, but don’t think the legs would like the kicking, and my balance isn’t what it used to be.. I’d look awfully funny setting upside down in that thing, like a duck digging in bottom. …
Butch

Would be a great picture!