Walleye Fishing in San Diego Bay

When I tell people that we fish San Diego Bay very similar to Walleye fishermen in the Great Lakes, people think I am a taco shy of a combo platter. But, when I said this to Mark and Drake, they took to it, and showed me just how close to accurate my statement is.

We started out in the morning knowing that the tides were going to be lazy, but also knowing that there was a chance at some Bonefish. I told Mark and his son Drake, that there were some to be had, but that we may have to weed through some Yellow Fin Croaker to get them. They didn't mind, and in fact did something I had not seen before. Fishing and guiding San Diego Bay, I've had first cast hookups before. And, I've had many double hook ups. But, this trip started with a first cast double. How awesome was that? 

It didn't take long before Drake got that drag zinging pull on the little Quantum spinning combo that we all love to hear. It was a nice one too. This little Bonefish had to go an easy two pounds. Not to be out done by that, Mark got in on the action with more Yellows. Then Drake surprised us all with a small Sand Shark, later followed up by a medium Sand Shark while Mark reeled in a small spotted Bay Bass. This was just another of the many doubles these two shared. It wasn't long after that, then Drake caught another Bonefish. This one just a little bigger than the first one. Mark was happy for his boy, I could tell, but still eager to get one of his own.

We had ran out of all but the last Ghost Shrimp, when Drake so kindly let the old man use it. Good thing too, because that was the one, and it no sooner hit the water than zing .... and he was on. Mark got his first Pacific Bonefish, and the fish was as happy as Mark - judging by the smile in the picture, anyway.

With all the live Ghost Shrimp gone, we usually will start drop shotting Berkley Gulp baits. And we did that to a degree. But, it was when Mark saw me pull out the 4" Big Hammer swim tail that he started to get excited. "I wanna throw that" he said. And I was more than happy to let him do it. Noticing that the bait had a bit of a citrus smell to it, lead us to lather it well with Uni-Butter. A good choice too, because Mark got a Halibut on the first cast with it. In fact, he went to town on that thing. That did not stop Drake however, who seemed to be working on his fish of San Diego Bay check list. He soon followed his father's catch with a Halibut of his own, and later with a sculpin and several bass.

Mark was the man with the swim tail though, and caught several Sand Bass, Bay Bass, and Halibut on it. It wasn't long before he got Drake into using it.

It was fun having these two along, and seeing them share a competitive, yet supportive manner towards each other was rewarding to be a part of. There were many doubles, and on the times that I had a line in, even a few triples. Fishing San Diego Bay is awesome right now, and when the waters aren't churned by storms, it can make you wonder why you would ever want to fish anywhere else.

Keep checking the reports, and don't give up on the Halibut bite. From the guys I know who target them only, it should be one great season for fantastic Halibut fishing. Remember, when all else is failing, pretend that you are on one of the Great Lakes Walleye fishing.

Good luck, and thank you for reading,

James