Newport Kelp
 

I thought I would give a quick report for those of you scoping out the newport beach area.

Got out to the kelp in front of Little Corona Beach at around 9ish am. The bait of choice was shrimp, great for some sheephead but I also noticed the bass take a liking to it too. So anyways, first drop within a minute or so I hook up, I play it out gets stuck in the kelp a couple of times but I eventually pull it out, turns out to be a sheephead, that got released. Move a little south, fish one of the outer stringers to hook up on a fat sculpin, which I kept to make some tacos out of. Moved a little more south, to catch a just short sandbass. Then moved to the edge of crystal cove to catch a perch and small calico. Did some scenic paddling back as I was watching all the garibaldis since the water was so clear. Ended fishing the first spot again for another small calico. Called it a day at around 1 pm. All in all, the fishing was slow but it was still a great day on the water. Sunny and 77 for most of the day. Sorry for no pics, just a little too distracted chillin' on the yak.

Now I'm gonna get out there with my spear and hopefully get a nice bass for mas tacos tomorrow.

Tight lines everyone.

Dropper looped?

Yes, dropper looped with a size 4 hook.

where do you get your shrimp? Is it a certain kind? Would love to try for a sheep, never checked that off my list. BTW you been doing any codding out there off the newport shelf lately? Waiting for the season to open up, gotta be some toads out there with all the time off on the pressure :)

Love that place! Nice little haven for good rockfish, sculpin, and calicos. And it sounds like a fun time on the water! :)

Now this is something I've always thought about.. have you ever heard of out-of-the-ordinary fish being caught in the kelp in that area? Say... lingcod? :p