BEST BAITS FOR SOCAL SALTY ANGLERS

Author Bill Schaefer’s son Bricen caught this nice dog shark on bait. Saltwater anglers armed with a variety of live and cut bait can enjoy a productive day on Southern California bays for several different species.

(BILL SCHAEFER)

HOOK UP IN THE HARBOR

BAIT ANGLERS CAN SCORE VARIETY OF SPECIES ON SAN DIEGO, SOUTHLAND SALTWATERS

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

The lower half of San Diego Harbor – below the bridge, as the locals know it – can be the most productive place to fish when it comes to different species.

If you’re the type of angler who just likes to catch something – no matter what it is – then this is the place for you. Whether it’s halibut, sand dabs, bass, corvina, bonefish, or various rays and sharks, this is the spot to catch them.

At 4 to 5 miles long and a mile across at its widest point, this area is only about 10 to 15 feet deep and holds all of those fish and more. Yes, large schools of baitfish do make it

Ghost shrimp is a popular bait choice and is versatile enough to catch many different fish, including diamond turbot like this one caught by Dean Mitchell. (BILL SCHAEFER)

down to this end of the bay, where they wake up everything in the long list of species to catch. As the tidal flow washes across the flats, it energizes predatory fish to feed, and you can take advantage of that by baiting up your hook.

CHECK YOUR CHARTS

One thing to remember is that the tide plays a big part in the feeding of the fish in the bay. I like a medium amount of movement – about 3 to 4 feet going in or out – but any time the water is moving will do the trick.

A meter or fish locator is a must as well, even a cheap one. The inexpensive units of today carry so many more features than those of the past. You want to be able to spot those schools of fish on the bottom and stay on top of them. It really will help you.

Remember when you get a bite to go back up and drift that zone again. Schooled-up fish will stay in an area together, and that is key to getting multiple bites. Schools of most every species of fish that live in the bay will bite over and over again. Whether it’s the contour of the bottom or a weedline or a sunken boat, something will hold those fish on that particular spot. That’s what the fish locator is for, helping you recognize the bottom shapes and what is holding the fish in an area. LESS WEIGHT, MORE FISH

Let’s talk tackle. And the talk from many anglers is that lighter is better than heavier. Therefore, I tend to go with spinning tackle for bait throwing. I use a Daiwa 6½- to 7-foot spinning rod with a Tatula 2500-size reel, which is loaded with 25-pound braided line up to the swivel.

I will run either a ¼- to ½-ounce lead sinker, with the line through the sinker to a swivel. Tied to the other side of the swivel is an 18- to 20-inch leader of Maxima 10- to 15-pound fluorocarbon to the appropriate size hook I’m using for a particular bait or species I’m chasing. The braid as well as the fluorocarbon line will give me a better feel for the bait when bit.

You can use casting gear if the fish you are after are a little larger than the norm, like rays or sharks. You may even want to use a wire leader if after sharks; you know they have a lot of sharp teeth. But from the swivel forward, you will use the same weight and leader. You might want to go up to a 7- to 8-foot trigger stick – something with a little more backbone – along with a round-type reel, so you have extra line to play the larger fish out.

BAIT OPTIONS PLENTIFUL

Some of the baits you can use include ghost shrimp, worms, cutbait like anchovies or mackerel, or various clams (hooks will size up with the bait you choose, as I mentioned). The weight to get to the bottom isn’t that heavy – usually about ¼ to ½ ounce – since, again, the bay is only about 12 to 15 feet deep.

The hooks will run from size 4 up to 2/0. Circle hooks almost always get a hookup and come out easily for quick release of the fish. Little fish peck at the bait, so you need to be quick on the hookset for larger fish. They will pull all of a sudden and harder than the little fish pecks.

TACTICAL TALK

Now for the fishing techniques. Let’s say that you want to fish ghost shrimp; you will pull up all types

of species with them. From bass to bonefish and everything in between, ghost shrimp are like candy for all the fish, and they eat them regularly. A size 4 hook threaded through the bait will do nicely. I would start about halfway down the bay, right in the middle, and drift with the tides.

If you are going for a little larger prey – think sharks or rays – then use either cut anchovies or cut mackerel on a larger 2/0 hook. The sharks love the smelly bait, so throw on a cut piece of mackerel and it’s like catfishing until you hook one. They fight a little harder and don’t give up until landed on your boat. Watch out for the teeth some of the sharks have, as well as the stinger on the rays.

If you find yourself getting bit off a lot, then go with the wire leader I

Yellowfin croaker often school up with bonefish and are frequently caught together in Southland harbors and bays. (BILL SCHAEFER)

mentioned above. About 6 to 8 inches of single-strand piano wire in about 22-pound test will do the trick. You wrap it back over itself after passing it through the hook and swivel. This should end any more bite-offs by the larger sharks or big halibut. Premade wire leaders can do well also for those who can’t make their own.

PICK YOUR SPOT

Since the water is uniformly deep all across the bay and for its entire length, you can start fishing almost anywhere. If you want more bass, then go to the edges of the bay where there are more weeds; if you want more halibut, I would fish around the small island on the west side.

Croaker, bonefish, corvina and some schooled-up bass live in the center of the bay. There’s always room to fish down here, as it’s never overcrowded with boats. And as you fish the bay, you will learn what species hangs out where and where the hot spots are.

There you have it. There are miles and miles of water to fish in the saltwater, plus hundreds of species to take advantage of and enjoy. Just soak some bait and you’ll catch something.

If you love just fishing and getting your line tugged on, then go fish some bait. And it will work in many of the bays of Southern California; I just used San Diego’s harbor as an example. Whether anchoring up or drifting, you can just relax with your family or friends. Toss out a line and see what eats your bait. It can be a fun time for all. CS