Wdn1955
Loc: Southern California Coast
Heading for a few days fishing out of Morro Bay. Have not fished there except with charter boat. Taking my boat there for the first time. Any hints would be helpful.
Keep GPS records, data from day conditions and take those fabulous pics!
Wdn1955 wrote:
Heading for a few days fishing out of Morro Bay. Have not fished there except with charter boat. Taking my boat there for the first time. Any hints would be helpful.
I usually go north a few miles to the kelp beds , excellent fishing there, if you go south use you your Fishfinder to read the bottom and you'll find rockpiles excellent bottom jigfishing, good luck and tight lines,, p.s. I catch baitfish right around the park area with Sabiki rigs you can't miss it it's right by the launch area ,,
Check your charts. Any kelp bed or rocks and you should find fish. Remember, the charter boats need big areas that produce quantity over quality without loosing gear. After getting to a general area, use your fish finder to locate small spots of rough bottom that look like they are just waiting to snag and steal your gear. The charter boats will not fish them, but if you know what you are doing and reel in or let out constantly to avoid snags, you may find some real quality fish. Remember, when rock fishing, 10 vertical feet can make the difference between awesome and skunked even 200 feet down. Leave a track on your gps , mark your target (I use MOB as it is faster than waypoint to mark the spot) Then go back over the track so you can get right over the spot. If you catch fish, save the MOB as a waypoint. Drift from shallow to deep when possible. Another advantage you have over the heads boats is that you can put one side of your boat right against the bull kelp inwater as shallow as 15 or 20 feet. That allows you to get into water that bank fishermen can not reach and big charter boats don't dare fish. I also like, on near slack tide, to get right into the kelp with the boat . I drop a jig (usually a round head jig with currly tail 4 inch gulp chartruce grub strait down in an opening stopping it and jiggining it about every 5 feet until it hits bottom. I then reverse and jig it up. If no fish, I do the same thing in another opening. If you get a chance, go to the Monterey Aquarium and just sit watching the location of fish in the large bull kelp tank. Note the location of the varried fish, then figure out how you would present a bait to them. Use heavy braid in the kelp as you will snag alot or potentially hook a very large fish. With heavy line, you can often pull free of the kelp. Always keep in mind that the next bite might be a halibut or thirty pound ling, even in 15 feet of water. Good luck! Note: 1. Ling cod love eels, including the gulp alive version. 2. Greenling are great eating and easy to filet.
Bapa he's fishing Morro Bay , Monterrey is about 2 1/2 hrs away .
Wdn1955
Loc: Southern California Coast
Thanks for the tips, as I fish more locations I find each area has itโs own skill set
Wdn1955 wrote:
Thanks for the tips, as I fish more locations I find each area has itโs own skill set
Wdn 1 thing I always do before I head out of Morro Bay is check in the harbormasters office for weather and winds , i've always noticed winds begin picking up about 2pm out there .I take out a 23' Seaswirl Striper and she can handle waves and wind ok, but ive seen guys in smaller craft struggle with the winds take care and Good luck,
Jarheadfishnfool wrote:
Bapa he's fishing Morro Bay , Monterrey is about 2 1/2 hrs away .
I understand that. The kelp beds are fished the same way and for the most part, have the same fish (like in most things, there are no absolutes in fishing). If you reread my response, I said if you get the chance. A trip to Monterey is always a week end well spent, especially if it is to rough or windy to go fishing. Take every opportunity you can to learn your target.
Thanks as always, Bapa and Jarhead for the great fishing and boating info.
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