FISHING
LIVE THE PIPE DREAM POPULAR MAN-MADE STRUCTURE AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER GOOD FOR ROCKFISH, HALIBUT By Capt. Bill Schaefer
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write a lot about fishing deepwater structure this time of year – both the man-made and natural varieties. And one such place that has always produced well is the area known as the “Pipe” that’s located off the southern San Diego coast, just north of the Mexican border. It’s an outlet pipe constructed to help the border city of Tijuana, Mexico deal with its sewage issues. The Pipe comes out from under the sand at about 70 feet deep and runs another mile out to 90-plus feet deep and then forms a Y on the end, with two extension pipes running north and south for about 100 or so yards.
ON THE ROCKS The Pipe is covered with giant Volkswagen-sized boulders to protect it. This bodes well for anglers, as the location has slowly become an artificial reef over the years, with everything from rockfish to bass to yellowtail living around it. Halibut lie along the sandy sides and are a regular catch. In the giant cracks and crevasses between the rocks lurk giant lingcod and even black sea bass. I think I have caught just about everything you can out of this area. This spot can be good year-round, but the end of winter and spring can
Author Bill Schaefer shows off a nice halibut taken off the side of the “Pipe,” a man-made offshore structure near the U.S.-Mexico border that’s a prime spot to catch flatties, rockfish and other species. Schaefer advises anglers to always drift and fish a bit past the target. (BILL SCHAEFER) calsportsmanmag.com | FEBRUARY 2021 California Sportsman
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