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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