San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Only took 5 years but i finally landed a bonefish- kinda
Day1- Fished with Chris, the current was flowing and the spotties were biting for me , everything biting for him
Me: Loads of spotties, 1 missed bonefish at the board
Chris: Spotties, corvina, halbut, bones
Decided i needed to get back out and try again so i went solo a few days later and the bite was much slower, and almost no current movement. Each time the water would move the fish would bite, including 1 not so smart bonefish that made its way onto my board but didnt stick around long enough for a photo.

Landed in my book! Congrats on the bone.

Congrats.. Just a quick release...
Butch

Nice report and catch! Bonefish and shortfin corvina are 2 of my goals for the bays next year

foulhook wrote: Tue Dec 16, 2025 11:09 am Nice report and catch! Bonefish and shortfin corvina are 2 of my goals for the bays next year

I got through phases with the corvina but im still hooked on the bones

They reminded me of giant Sardines…it took me 10 dedicated trips before I landed 3 in 30 minutes.

That’s a catch for sure.
This bonefish is probably my biggest from a month ago. Bit a 4” white swimbait on a Warbaits Neckbreaker of all things. Barely had it hooked with their smaller hard mouth.

Thanks for the post! I was going to write my own but I will just add to this one. That was an epic day on the water and not even half of the fish we caught made my video. I can't wait to get out there again soon. Cheers!

Looks like fun guys. How deep is the water you are fishing?

Super fun! 10ft on avg.

Pourboy wrote: Sat Dec 20, 2025 9:55 am Super fun! 10ft on avg.

Good view of your new tube Chris, looks fantastic!! On the big eye underspins, what weight? I bought a box of miscellaneous colors a while back at 1/8oz I believe. Do you need more weight like 3/16th with all that tide moving? Thx

And I always marvel at McQuade’s balance and stamina standing up all day!!

Good job guys!

I have fished Mission bay. I'm going have to try San Diego bay. I will bring 1 bigger rod to try for a bat ray or something that will tow me around.

Dfishin wrote: Sun Dec 21, 2025 8:13 am I have fished Mission bay. I'm going have to try San Diego bay. I will bring 1 bigger rod to try for a bat ray or something that will tow me around.

Personally Dfishin I think you will be a quick convert to the Big Bay. I always do better there.

I use to take my bass boat out in the bays and float tube about 20 years ago. I do want to get back out there. I'm working on picking up a different trolling motor for salt water. The trailer will die a faster death, but that's the way it goes.

JWall wrote: Sun Dec 21, 2025 2:24 pm

Dfishin wrote: Sun Dec 21, 2025 8:13 am I have fished Mission bay. I'm going have to try San Diego bay. I will bring 1 bigger rod to try for a bat ray or something that will tow me around.

Personally Dfishin I think you will be a quick convert to the Big Bay. I always do better there.

I really like Mission bay. Smaller area but on calm days it lends some great fishing and bigger fish

Dfishin post - I take my pressurized Bug Spray Squirter with me. Add a couple drops of detergent to break up the water tension and spray my Trailer after I park it. Takes two minutes. I have 100,000 miles on it, and thousands of trips. A little rust. Once a year I knock down any rust I see, and hit it with Cold Galvanizing Spray from Home Depot. And follow up with Rust Oleum Black Spray Paint. Looks like new.

JWall wrote: Sat Dec 20, 2025 10:02 pm

Pourboy wrote: Sat Dec 20, 2025 9:55 am Super fun! 10ft on avg.

Good view of your new tube Chris, looks fantastic!! On the big eye underspins, what weight? I bought a box of miscellaneous colors a while back at 1/8oz I believe. Do you need more weight like 3/16th with all that tide moving? Thx

And I always marvel at McQuade’s balance and stamina standing up all day!!

Good job guys!

Thanks! I was going between 1/8 and 1/4 depending on the weight of the line that I was using. With 5lb the 1/8 was fine but with 8lb the 1/4 was better.

With the rain like mission bay will the bacteria be a problem ?

Dfishin wrote: Wed Dec 24, 2025 7:53 am With the rain like mission bay will the bacteria be a problem ?

only if you drink it