Tidelands 6/26

[Big Wave Dave]

Tried out tidelands for the first time today. Fished the end of the incoming tide, the slack, and the bite picked up on the outgoing tide. Never fished this area, so didn't really know where to go. Caught most of them around the bridge, (75 feet away of course). Here's a pic of the biggest one. All caught and released. I've never eaten a spottie. Do they taste good?

[MrM]

Nice catch! I enjoy them. I won't keep one unless I'm eating it that night, though. 7 times out of 10 I'll throw it back.

[Ggiannig89]

That's a chunker! I eat them on occasion and they taste pretty good. Just like any other bass type to me.

[mtnbykr2]

Not too hip on the Spotties, have eaten them, would rather have Sandies though

[stephenG]

That's a toad spottie ! Nice fish. I could be wrong but I think when the lower jaw is lit up yellow like that it means they are in the middle of spawning. Calico do a similar color change when it's spawning season.

[taggermike]

I grew up eating spotties. They taste about like the other bass. They have super firm meat; firmer the sandies or calis imo. Its good poached and then flaked in a fish salad or cocktail. Mike

[Amish Ed]

Nice piggie!

[Yakly]

Very nice!!!!!! Can't wait to try that area myself...

[Hobie-Pedaller]

man, that is one TOAD of a Spottie for SD Bay. more like the spots often found in Missn Bay.
excellent job for anyone, let alone a first time Tidelander. ;)

i have fished Tidelands around 50+ times in past 10 years.
i often catch MANY spots there, but i don't think ever caught one 16 inches long at Tidelands.

the best areas i find there, are all up & down the deep channel.
i just drift in or out, with the incoming or outgoing tide, and work plastics or gulp shrimp on lead heads, bouncing along bottom.


PS - for "eating", i am not a bass fan at all. i C&R 100% of the bass i have caught for past decade. many other fish out there taste way better to me than any species of Bass. my "eating fish" consist of Halibut, YT, WSB, Sheepshead, Ling Cod, and most rock fish. IMHO - ALL of these blow away Bass, as a tasty meal. :)
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