San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Not sure if “peak” is the right term, but my son and I hit up Mission Beach to try fishing the extreme low tide of this weekends King tides.

We tripped over some really large clams that were getting exposed in the water, but the fishing was about as I’d normally expect; handful of perch of various sizes on lugworms and Gulp camo worms. The only difference was the incredibly long walk back to our setup in the sand to re-bait, etc.

Not sure what I expected to happen, and of course one experience does not apply to all, but it was nice to see that those times are still fishable, with an added bonus of getting to see “underneath” all of the usual spots for holes, troughs, etc. It looked fairly level as far as I could see in either directions at middle/north Mission Beach so perhaps the storms flattened everything out, or maybe just the tiniest little hiding spots are all the fish need to stalk their prey. I’ll be curious to see how things look by next weekend when the tides return to their more normal levels.

Based on my very limited surf reading I feel MB and pb are very uniform. At least in comparison to other beaches I go to so it doesn't surprise me to hear that it's flat when exposed

Nice to get out with your son.. Also cool to “see” the structure… I only fish those beaches in the late spring (Memorial Day weekend), and usually find some decent structure… Maybe the spring storms sculpt the beach more than the early season storms..
Butch

Have walked PB down to the MB jetty many times during these king tide periods in past winters to find the same beach topography conditions . . . generally flat as a board. But, you can find some exposed inner & outer trough areas to target during normal high tide periods. Got to agree with Butch though, bigger & closer in holes seem to start appearing in early Spring to present better prospects for all species.

When I finish Mission Beach I usually look for rip currents and white water. Seem to have better luck.

Sounds like the consensus is out on Mission Beach. It’s just stays flat most of the time.

With that said, what beaches within the SD area are best to fish? Of course, excluding the MLPA beaches and areas.

Luc42 wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 9:53 pm Sounds like the consensus is out on Mission Beach. It’s just stays flat most of the time.

With that said, what beaches within the SD area are best to fish? Of course, excluding the MLPA beaches and areas.

I like Mission Beach. And PB. Because I grew up in that area.

Luc42 wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 9:53 pm Sounds like the consensus is out on Mission Beach. It’s just stays flat most of the time.

With that said, what beaches within the SD area are best to fish? Of course, excluding the MLPA beaches and areas.

Do some homework on the MPLA system as far as regs , there are a number of the areas that allow Shore Based hook and line fishing for FINFISH that are quite good . Just remember that Finfish means exactly that , no gathering of natural bait , sand crabs Etc . Swamis SMCA is a very good one to start your search . A hand held GPS or good GPS app for the phone will keep you out of trouble . Good luck !

Luc42 wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 9:53 pm Sounds like the consensus is out on Mission Beach. It’s just stays flat most of the time.

With that said, what beaches within the SD area are best to fish? Of course, excluding the MLPA beaches and areas.

For me, its whatever beach I'm at

Mission Beach and Pacific Beach have been good for me despite it being flat. They are also the most convenient since I live in La Mesa area, so its a straight shot on the 8 to get to them. The handful of times I've gone up to Solana Beach have been good. South Carlsbad State beach is where I started in 2025. So I take that to mean they're all good for catching something, just gotta look for different things at different beaches.

The only place that has given be "consistent" trouble, and I say that loosely because all my experiences are still a relatively small sample size, is Coronado. I've just found it to be incredibly grassy every time.

Perch killer wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 10:10 am Have walked PB down to the MB jetty many times during these king tide periods in past winters to find the same beach topography conditions . . . generally flat as a board. But, you can find some exposed inner & outer trough areas to target during normal high tide periods. Got to agree with Butch though, bigger & closer in holes seem to start appearing in early Spring to present better prospects for all species.

You have given me great advice on areas to target

I have definitely seen structure especially closer to the jetty at South Mission, I was just surprised to see how flat Mission Beach actually, though I guess it makes sense because for the past month or so, everywhere I've walked on the beach in the morning has looked mostly the same. Choppy, some currents here and there, but no obvious structure.

jwacky wrote: Mon Jan 05, 2026 8:12 am

Luc42 wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 9:53 pm Sounds like the consensus is out on Mission Beach. It’s just stays flat most of the time.

With that said, what beaches within the SD area are best to fish? Of course, excluding the MLPA beaches and areas.

For me, its whatever beach I'm at

Mission Beach and Pacific Beach have been good for me despite it being flat. They are also the most convenient since I live in La Mesa area, so its a straight shot on the 8 to get to them. The handful of times I've gone up to Solana Beach have been good. South Carlsbad State beach is where I started in 2025. So I take that to mean they're all good for catching something, just gotta look for different things at different beaches.

The only place that has given be "consistent" trouble, and I say that loosely because all my experiences are still a relatively small sample size, is Coronado. I've just found it to be incredibly grassy every time.

MB & PB are most convenient for me as well Joe as live in Del Cerro. Overall, these beaches have been the most consistent for quality catches of corbina & spot fin croaker from late March through October. Slab perch can be good also during spawning months. Yellow fins not so good, at least that's been my experience. I like Solana and going to make an effort to fish it more this coming season. Coronado is an enigma. I've only fished the beach there from the Del up to dog beach. Some big perch & good size yfc's near the rocks by the Del, During covid, had a 3 large corbina session near dog. Agree on the salad conditions, it can get brutal at times, particularly when the swell is coming in from the SW. Then again, I've found when conditions are crappy at MB & PB, it can be ideal at Coronado. One last thing, for whatever reason, I've seldom found sand crabs at the stretch of beach I fished at Coronado. The sand there seems to be heavier in texture & very dark. Strange.

Perch killer wrote: Mon Jan 05, 2026 10:27 am

jwacky wrote: Mon Jan 05, 2026 8:12 am

Luc42 wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 9:53 pm Sounds like the consensus is out on Mission Beach. It’s just stays flat most of the time.

With that said, what beaches within the SD area are best to fish? Of course, excluding the MLPA beaches and areas.

For me, its whatever beach I'm at

Mission Beach and Pacific Beach have been good for me despite it being flat. They are also the most convenient since I live in La Mesa area, so its a straight shot on the 8 to get to them. The handful of times I've gone up to Solana Beach have been good. South Carlsbad State beach is where I started in 2025. So I take that to mean they're all good for catching something, just gotta look for different things at different beaches.

The only place that has given be "consistent" trouble, and I say that loosely because all my experiences are still a relatively small sample size, is Coronado. I've just found it to be incredibly grassy every time.

MB & PB are most convenient for me as well Joe as live in Del Cerro. Overall, these beaches have been the most consistent for quality catches of corbina & spot fin croaker from late March through October. Slab perch can be good also during spawning months. Yellow fins not so good, at least that's been my experience. I like Solana and going to make an effort to fish it more this coming season. Coronado is an enigma. I've only fished the beach there from the Del up to dog beach. Some big perch & good size yfc's near the rocks by the Del, During covid, had a 3 large corbina session near dog. Agree on the salad conditions, it can get brutal at times, particularly when the swell is coming in from the SW. Then again, I've found when conditions are crappy at MB & PB, it can be ideal at Coronado. One last thing, for whatever reason, I've seldom found sand crabs at the stretch of beach I fished at Coronado. The sand there seems to be heavier in texture & very dark. Strange.

We're neighbors. I say "La Mesa area" because not everyone knows San Carlos neighborhood and it gets confusing with San Carlos, CA, up in the bay area. I'm just a couple blocks south of the back entrance to Cowles Mountain. But yes, straight shot to MB/PB means less drive time, more fishing time! My family would be more upset if they knew I went to Solana Beach without them, haha.

And also agreed with the lack of sand crabs where I've been in Coronado, which is in-between the Del and the military area, in front of those condos. I'll see a million crabs in Ocean Beach and then the very same day, nothing in Coronado. Weird.

You guys all have a lot more experience fishing SD beaches than I do... Pacific Beach/Mission Beach, Carlsbad and San Onofre are about it for me... I do want to fish south Camp Pendelton, but have only fished the north end... In other words I can't help with locations or conditions, but enjoy the info...
Butch

Midnightpass wrote: Mon Jan 05, 2026 11:59 am You guys all have a lot more experience fishing SD beaches than I do... Pacific Beach/Mission Beach, Carlsbad and San Onofre are about it for me... I do want to fish south Camp Pendelton, but have only fished the north end... In other words I can't help with locations or conditions, but enjoy the info...
Butch

Hope we can connect on the sand Butch when you're at PB in May

I fish PB MB and just north of Solana beach. I have not fished mission or Pacific during peak season because I like to stick to my northern spots. But yes during season I would say it's most important to know if utilizing sand crabs for bait is legal. Other than that it's pretty standard beach reading. That and I tend to sort beaches based on conditions mainly tide state