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Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2026 7:36 am
by Gotfish?
Have others noticed the bay seems a lot murkier with less eelgrass than previous years?
Lack of eelgrass can decrease water clarity since the roots hold in sediment that is otherwise stirred up by the tides. And there is a positive feedback mechanism in that poor water clarity reduces the maximum depth eelgrass can survive in.
Yesterday, the water temperature got to 68F at Coronado bridge. 68F is supposed to be the upper range for optimum temperature for eelgrass and it is only going to get warmer in the summer. Pretty warm for what was officially the 1st day of spring (vernal equinox).
Less eelgrass isn't good for fishing, at least for most species (maybe not mud marlin).
https://www.google.com/search?q=eelgras ... e&ie=UTF-8
FYI, I had 19 spotted bay bass, 1 corvina, 3 short halibut and 2 lizard fish yesterday, launching from Bayside in my tube. Slower than most years. Got a lot of short strikes, maybe a good year for lizard fish.
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2026 7:37 am
by Gotfish?
Correction, I launched from Tidelands.
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2026 8:23 am
by inthedeep2
Yes, eelgrass makes a difference. Lizardfish are everywhere in large numbers. I wonder how the influx of lizardfish has been on all the juvenile bass and other fish in the bay. I have had some pretty crappy days throughout the bay fishing for bass my last 6 or so outings.
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2026 10:34 am
by kastmaster
I have noticed a lot more turbidity, less eelgrass, and a huge drop in spotted bay bass action at Coronado Cays. The invasive Caulerpa seaweed is also a factor in decimating eelgrass
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2026 5:00 pm
by risentidefishing
I’ve noticed similar issues with water clarity in the back bay, particularly off the Cays and up along the Silverstrand near Fiddlers. Bass bite has been in a little bit of a funk with all the hot weather
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2026 10:20 am
by professionull
The urban run off that gets pushed into the back bays after storms contributes to the dirty water which doesn't help with eel grass growth not to mention we're getting a head start on algae blooms since our inshore and offshore waters rarely dipped below 60 degrees this winter.
There is a new hybrid type of eel grass that can survive in murky water but I think it's still only in Mission Bay and we need that eel grass so the bass spawn can survive
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2026 8:05 pm
by Bendo
The Tides have been fairly mellow the last few days, that will put a dent in the Bass numbers. Clarity can be Algae growth, Silt getting stirred up from big Tides, or a ton Mullet stirring up the mud in the shallows. The biggest weapon is to change up tactics and find new areas that are holding the fish. I’ve been on a lot of bass on the Channel Edges in 25 feet of water. Had to bump up to a 3/8 Jighead to stay in contact with the bottom using 10 pound line. I’ve been fishing Bait Schools more than Meter Marks to get on the most Bass with some bonus Halibut.
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2026 3:12 pm
by Gotfish?
When it gets slow, I resort to long lining swimbaits or grubs on 3/8 or 1/2 ounce heads in deeper water. Haven't had to do that yet in 2026 but getting close. I have a pair of 45 degree rod holders on opposite sides of my float tube so I can long line 2 rods at once (usually letting line out on one while retrieving the other).
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2026 8:12 pm
by galen
Fished today, south of the bridge still very turbid. My ff topped out at 72 degrees. We got a dozen fish.
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2026 7:11 pm
by JWall
Not sure if this is on point, but the bay doesn’t seem near as good numbers-wise the last 2-3 years. Before then it was always stupid easy and now its work.
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2026 9:30 am
by Dfishin
Point taken.
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2026 6:55 am
by vito1023
After reading this I had to wonder about one of the workers at Dana Bait and Tackle about three weeks ago I stopped in to check the tackle ( as if I need any ) and asked how the bays have been lately and he told me to find dirty water that’s where the fish were, so I’m a little confused.
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2026 12:25 pm
by risentidefishing
That was probably referring to Mission Bay
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2026 7:08 am
by vito1023
risentidefishing wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 12:25 pm
That was probably referring to Mission Bay
I thought that’s what we were talking about the Bays?
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2026 7:36 am
by risentidefishing
I’m pretty sure most are referring to San Diego Bay in this post. Mission Bay tends to run clearer than San Diego Bay so finding the dirty water might be a viable strategy there. The dirty water in the South Bay, especially once the wind kicks up, is like 1-2ft visibility and not great for the fishing lately
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2026 12:22 pm
by Socalspartan
risentidefishing wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2026 7:36 am
I’m pretty sure most are referring to San Diego Bay in this post. Mission Bay tends to run clearer than San Diego Bay so finding the dirty water might be a viable strategy there. The dirty water in the South Bay, especially once the wind kicks up, is like 1-2ft visibility and not great for the fishing lately
Well thats a bummer. I've been struggling at Hodges so I was headed to South Bay tomorrow.
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2026 5:03 pm
by risentidefishing
Socalspartan wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2026 12:22 pm
risentidefishing wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2026 7:36 am
I’m pretty sure most are referring to San Diego Bay in this post. Mission Bay tends to run clearer than San Diego Bay so finding the dirty water might be a viable strategy there. The dirty water in the South Bay, especially once the wind kicks up, is like 1-2ft visibility and not great for the fishing lately
Well thats a bummer. I've been struggling at Hodges so I was headed to South Bay tomorrow.
There’s still fish to be had I would just stick to the channel edges along the Sweetwater Shoal and then fish your way up towards the bridge
Re: Water clarity and eelgrass
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 7:47 am
by Gotfish?