San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

I have the chance to fish Sunday, long drive from Phoenix, I noticed that the tide swing looks small, would that negatively affect fishing? I am still a tide newbie, but just wondering if I should wait until another weekend. Thanks for any tips. I always like reading and learning from the folks on here.

How and where are you planning on fishing and for what species? San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, Ocean? Shore, boat, float tube or kayak?
What species?

The tide has probably the biggest effect on bay fishing. But those of us that fish there still go out even if the tide swing is small. Fishing for spotted bay bass (most common species in the bays) is slower during small tides but doesn't shut down completely. You might catch half as many with a really slow tide (<2' swing) compared to >5' swing. And sometimes the really big tides (>7') don't produce as well as we would expect. But there is so much variation in the bite from week to week that tides are just one of the factors.

Thanks gotfish. I would like to hit SD south bay, would be for spotties and fingers crossed for a bonefish. I usually fish a small plastic on a jighead. Every species in the salt is cool for me.

Fish the South Bay flats, they don't seem as affected as much by tide swings. Hard to beat a jig head with a curly tail grub or a Ned rig, drag across the bottom. Small plastic and small hook (1/0 or smaller, even #4 is OK) is right for bonefish, they have small mouths. You might get corvina and halibut too.

The spots with eelgrass have been doing well for me the last few months: https://coronadotimes.com/news/2021/08/ ... -eelgrass/ , typically 6-10' depths.

Gotfish? wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2026 6:57 pm Fish the South Bay flats, they don't seem as affected as much by tide swings. Hard to beat a jig head with a curly tail grub or a Ned rig, drag across the bottom. Small plastic and small hook (1/0 or smaller, even #4 is OK) is right for bonefish, they have small mouths. You might get corvina and halibut too.

The spots with eelgrass have been doing well for me the last few months: https://coronadotimes.com/news/2021/08/ ... -eelgrass/ , typically 6-10' depths.

Thanks for the link very interesting

Thanks again guys, not sure if I am going to head that way or stay here in AZ to fish this weekend. Appreciate the knowledge though.

Phxangler wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2026 6:04 pm Thanks gotfish. I would like to hit SD south bay, would be for spotties and fingers crossed for a bonefish. I usually fish a small plastic on a jighead. Every species in the salt is cool for me.

I was down there Wednesday. Overall the numbers were not good. But, landed 3 bonefish and lost 2-3. Was awesome on bfs.