First time in Huntington Harbor - Skunk

[goldenglory18]

Wifey and I hit Huntington Harbor for the first time on Saturday. We got on the water right as the marine layer started to break. Tide was super low, and the fishing was super slow.

I came armed with what has been working on Marina Del Rey, but it wasn't the ticket for HH. The water in HH is much clearer than MDR, and I was totally under prepared. I threw three different color hard jerk baits, and two different colored 4" swimbaits and didnt even get a bump. I eventually switched to a drop shot rigged with a 4" jackall bait, but at that point we needed to start paddling back so I didnt get a chance to really slow down like I think I needed to.

Either way, another great day on the water thanks to the guys (and gal!) at OEX. I think I FINALLY found the right boat for me and will be able to get out a lot more regularly.

Happy Monday everyone! :cheers1:

[Dave Legacy]

Good effort, dude. Might I suggest a 3" BH instead inside the harbor? I have always had better luck fishing small on the inside.

[goldenglory18]

Good effort, dude. Might I suggest a 3" BH instead inside the harbor? I have always had better luck fishing small on the inside.

Yep, I figured that out about half way through my day. Like I said before, I was wildly unprepared. :D

Any suggestion on color combos to look at for HH? The majority of the patterns I have are either orange/green/red based because of the murky MDR water, or are clear with red flake which was suggested to me by someone and I really dont know why. :confused:

[King Saba]

Yep, I figured that out about half way through my day. Like I said before, I was wildly unprepared. :D

Any suggestion on color combos to look at for HH? The majority of the patterns I have are either orange/green/red based because of the murky MDR water, or are clear with red flake which was suggested to me by someone and I really dont know why. :confused:

There's not as many spotties in HH as compared to the SD harbors, but the ones in there are chunky and grumpy. Red works but finbait colors are even better. You can get those fish on just about any spottie lure. The type usually depends on the conditions and available bait. Pay attention to what's in the water and mimic it and you will be rewarded. The water is only going to get warmer and with it more fish activity.

[Dave Legacy]

Yep, I figured that out about half way through my day. Like I said before, I was wildly unprepared. :D

Any suggestion on color combos to look at for HH? The majority of the patterns I have are either orange/green/red based because of the murky MDR water, or are clear with red flake which was suggested to me by someone and I really dont know why. :confused:

Clear/red flake is a killer color that I have yet to embrace for bass. I know a guy who uses a CRF 3" Grub on a Football jighead and just kills it from his slip. It's my go-to color in the surf on bright days. Colors like Sexy Smelt and Bay Smelt are always winners in my book. Truth be told I try to not get too caught up on colors.

[goldenglory18]

There's not as many spotties in HH as compared to the SD harbors, but the ones in there are chunky and grumpy. Red works but finbait colors are even better. You can get those fish on just about any spottie lure. The type usually depends on the conditions and available bait. Pay attention to what's in the water and mimic it and you will be rewarded. The water is only going to get warmer and with it more fish activity.

Thanks for the info, but my trips down to SD will be few and far between.

That was my main issue yesterday: absolutely no reference point in matching the bait. The only living beings I witnessed in my 3ish hour float was micro. That's it.

Clear/red flake is a killer color that I have yet to embrace for bass. I know a guy who uses a CRF 3" Grub on a Football jighead and just kills it from his slip. It's my go-to color in the surf on bright days. Colors like Sexy Smelt and Bay Smelt are always winners in my book. Truth be told I try to not get too caught up on colors.

Same here, I know colors, more often than not, catch more fisherman than fish, but there is some truth to matching the hatch and presenting an attractive bait. Bummer to hear that now...I had 4" CRF big hammers on deck that I could have thrown on a small jighead..... :o

[Harry Hill]

It took me an hour longer to get to Dana Point the other day than it does to San Diego. I hate going to Orange County.

[ROSSOLY]

Were you in a tandem and if so, which one?

[goldenglory18]

Were you in a tandem and if so, which one?

Nope, my wife was on her SUP and I was in my new Ride 135.

[spottie_slayer]

Stop by Big Fish in Seal Beach they'll set you up

[DPevin]

Keep it simple in Huntington. I use to tube it with my co workers and would always try and get tricky throwing blades and all kinds of stuff. Meanwhile my co worker would post up at the end of one dock in a side channel with his 3" BH in christmas tree with a red lead head and slay legal spotties and butts all day...everytime we would go, we would kick all over the place and he would just go straight to the same spot every time and stay there the whole time crushing it haha.

[goldenglory18]

Keep it simple in Huntington. I use to tube it with my co workers and would always try and get tricky throwing blades and all kinds of stuff. Meanwhile my co worker would post up at the end of one dock in a side channel with his 3" BH in christmas tree with a red lead head and slay legal spotties and butts all day...everytime we would go, we would kick all over the place and he would just go straight to the same spot every time and stay there the whole time crushing it haha.

Its funny when it works that way. Sometimes I think the more you know about fishing, the harder it is to catch fish. LOL

I think my main problem was profile and speed. Next time, I'll present a much smaller, much slower bait.