I caught a bunch of shorts while trying to make bait the last three times (last three weekends) I went to La Jolla, they are absolute suckers for Krockodile spoons in the chrome & blue mac pattern
The North edge of the kelp is where I kept getting them on a No. 4 Krock. I was using 12lb test with my Shimano Caenan baitcaster on a 7'0" Ugly Stick Intercoastal rod.
I got a couple that were close to legal but I never take any slime sticks home. You are right; they are lotts of fun on the light stuff.
Even the huge greenback macs like the krockodile spoons too