(Fixed pics) 5/5/2018 Sand Bass OTF
 

Took my Hobie out to the kelp in the 'Bu.

I'd never caught a Sandie before, and Saturday that's all I could catch:

https://i.imgur.com/k3oRMRJl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/twitpLEl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TLIu9Pul.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/K5SwtKUl.jpg
Andy

Hey Andy,
Glad you got out locally and caught some fish. If you are catching only Sand Bass, you are fishing over sand with some minimal structure if any. Keep that in mind if you are targeting other species. Most species are structure oriented.

Thanks Denis, good info. I was targeting Calico, at the edges of the kelp, like I've done before.

I was getting no love so I started letting my fly sink much deeper than usual, and that's when I started hooking Sandies.

Not sure why the Calico were MIA!

Andy

Still catching, can't complain about that. Current was probably a factor in your bite. I've found that Sand Bass, even with crappy current, still bite well.

On a side note, would anyone here be so kind to share a easy to launch spot at Malibu? I know county line is a popular spot, but my skills are rubbish to say in the least. Thanks.

Leo Carrillo is a pretty easy launch. Parking on the street can be tricky as it fills up quick. Parking in that state park is hourly or a flat $12 for all day. There is a nice path to take over to launch site. Went out 5/5/18 with the wife in our tandem.
Deer creek can be a tricky launch and land just need time the swells. Of course the stairs down can be difficult if your kayak is heavy. Would diffently need a buddy to help.

KS, I don't know of an easy place to launch in Malibu. The waves are generally from the NW, so finding a sheltered spot is not easy.

After I got crushed a couple years ago launching at Leo, I've gotten much more conservative in deciding when, and if, and where, to launch. I'll often scout 3 or more locations before I pick one, or sometimes decide to just go home.

Saturday was pretty glassy, so I think pretty much any launching area would have been ok.

But, of course, I rolled it on the landing...

Andy

My experience has been that anywhere in the north is just unforgiving. Short intervals and big swells are a nonstarter

Most of those spots are just about learning to read the sets. It can be very hard to spot the lull, and I’ve been rolled in both directions thinking that the last wave had gone... since then, I’ve learned to sit right outside break and back paddle until I’m well into a lull, and also to brace broach if I do get caught in any kind of wave. It’s a lot trickier in an outback because that thing is a turtle, but I’ve successfully braced several waves up there coming in, and it’s muuuuch easier than trying to shoot straight in without getting turned sideways

I love launching at Escondido Creek.
Fairly protected by Pt. Dume, unless there is a south swell.
It has a pretty steep shore break but, over all, easy to time.
Good place for freediving/spear fishing too.

I love Leo.
However, the whole parking situation and dealing with the surfers/crowds in the Summer months sucks.

It's been way too long since I hit Malibu.
Used to launch to the left of the pier and paddle west towards Esco.
There is parking on the street or at the parking lot for a steep fee (big surprise).
I know they did some work on the parking lot.
Not sure how easy it is to get the kayak to the beach any more.

Glad to see so many of us in the LA/Ventura Co area.

Tight lines.
-JJ-

Nice catch. What's all the cables\line on the deck?

My fly line. I mainly fly fish, though sometimes use a spinning reel.

The first pic kinda shows the fly I was using. A mostly green baitfish pattern.

Andy

We saw you out there...launched from the north beach in our tandem and hung around there for a while. Lots of dolphins and a nice surf landing