Mission Beach 9/3 - 9/4
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2025 9:39 am
Another messy couple of sessions for me at south and north Mission Beaches. Can't have the good ones without the bad, right?
My son and I went out to south Mission beach Friday evening, arriving around 5:00. Walked north to T-11 or so, and were snagging massive piles of grass on every cast. The tide was in far and the surf was rough. We didn't waste much time before deciding to just drive over to the bay side. Having never fished anywhere in the bay prior to that day, I wasn't sure where to start but figured Mariner's Cove was close and the daylight was quickly waning so it'd have to do. It was obviously significantly calmer, and I actually managed a first - a tiny barred sand bass (pic below for confirmation of species). I'm not too familiar with what all is in the bay but this is what my phone (and nearly 16-year-old) tells me it was. I had a couple bites prior to snagging this tiny guy on salted clam.
I returned to Mission Beach Saturday morning, arriving super early to check the crab situation under Cyrstal Pier. I'd forgotten there was a race on the beach that morning so the lots were mostly blocked off but it was early enough that it was a non-issue. And yes, plenty of crabs to be found under the pier including many with roe.
Unfortunately, the fish must've gotten the memo that I did not about the beach fun run, high swells and tides, and just stayed away because I was skunked. No seaweed or grass, so that was nice, but the surf was really strong and I was battling all morning keeping my line in front of me, and my bait was frequently washing up behind where I was standing, which was already much farther up the shore than any typical morning out there. I was pretty far south of the start of the race, maybe T-19 or so. I was wandering a bit throughout the morning.
I had a feeling the conditions would be rough considering the morning and evening tides were about the same, and I'd seen the forecasted 5' wave heights, but it was the only time I had. Next weekend appears to be a bit more normal.
Nothing to report on the salted clams or Fishbites bag o' worms bloodworms. Can't blame the bait(s) for my lack of catching anything, although I was getting nibbles on the clam in the bay. Also had my very first encounter with a disgruntled surfer who felt the need to inform me that I was fishing in "surfing territory" (the ocean?), despite 1) not casting anywhere near where people surf, 2) always reeling in (or refraining from casting) when surfers are entering/leaving the water, and 3) being extra careful about any line maintenance while out there, but considering this was the first negative experience of the entire summer I'll chalk it up to someone just having a bad day
For the most part, everyone out there in the mornings is friendly and chill.
My son and I went out to south Mission beach Friday evening, arriving around 5:00. Walked north to T-11 or so, and were snagging massive piles of grass on every cast. The tide was in far and the surf was rough. We didn't waste much time before deciding to just drive over to the bay side. Having never fished anywhere in the bay prior to that day, I wasn't sure where to start but figured Mariner's Cove was close and the daylight was quickly waning so it'd have to do. It was obviously significantly calmer, and I actually managed a first - a tiny barred sand bass (pic below for confirmation of species). I'm not too familiar with what all is in the bay but this is what my phone (and nearly 16-year-old) tells me it was. I had a couple bites prior to snagging this tiny guy on salted clam.
I returned to Mission Beach Saturday morning, arriving super early to check the crab situation under Cyrstal Pier. I'd forgotten there was a race on the beach that morning so the lots were mostly blocked off but it was early enough that it was a non-issue. And yes, plenty of crabs to be found under the pier including many with roe.
Unfortunately, the fish must've gotten the memo that I did not about the beach fun run, high swells and tides, and just stayed away because I was skunked. No seaweed or grass, so that was nice, but the surf was really strong and I was battling all morning keeping my line in front of me, and my bait was frequently washing up behind where I was standing, which was already much farther up the shore than any typical morning out there. I was pretty far south of the start of the race, maybe T-19 or so. I was wandering a bit throughout the morning.
I had a feeling the conditions would be rough considering the morning and evening tides were about the same, and I'd seen the forecasted 5' wave heights, but it was the only time I had. Next weekend appears to be a bit more normal.
Nothing to report on the salted clams or Fishbites bag o' worms bloodworms. Can't blame the bait(s) for my lack of catching anything, although I was getting nibbles on the clam in the bay. Also had my very first encounter with a disgruntled surfer who felt the need to inform me that I was fishing in "surfing territory" (the ocean?), despite 1) not casting anywhere near where people surf, 2) always reeling in (or refraining from casting) when surfers are entering/leaving the water, and 3) being extra careful about any line maintenance while out there, but considering this was the first negative experience of the entire summer I'll chalk it up to someone just having a bad day
For the most part, everyone out there in the mornings is friendly and chill.
Little sand bass... No skunk and a new species, so that's cool.. You'll run into the occasional jerk surfer... Just like you'll run into a jerk anywhere... Good attitude on your part... Keep up the reports.. And keep that nearly 16-year-old handy for identifications. 
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