Mission Bay this coming weekend (Labor Day)? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

pbb · 09-01-2013, 11:49 AM

I got to MB a little after 6AM. Slurped a few ghost shrimp and launched from the ski beach ramp. I was able to park right next to the ramp.

I caught two Rock Wrasse under the Ingraham St Bridge on the ghosties. One female and one male. I wasn't sure what they were, I thought maybe Whitefish. I looked them up when I got home. (I released them without taking any pics).

I fished a white grub drop shot between the bridges, but got not a bite.

None of the the other kayak fishermen I talked to had caught anything, nor did I see anyone on other boats catching anything.

This was the first real fishing voyage on my new kayak, so I was glad to be out there, and to get the skunk off.

I packed up and headed home by about 9:30, as the tide was going slack, the sun was getting hot, and there were more and more power boats on the water.

kobra · 09-01-2013, 02:29 PM

Mission Bay fish move around quite a bit. They follow the bait around, or the more comfortable water. There are a lot of "spots" in the bay to fish. You just have to find where they are on the day that you fish.
Spinnerbaits are your friend. I fish a 1 ounce terminator spinnerbait. 3 to 5 inch swimbaits work well also. I like 3 inch big hammers and mc swimbaits. For anything bigger than 3 inch, nothing but mc swimbaits. Crankbaits work well also. Work them right over the eel grass. Learn to count your lure down and retrieve it as close to the grass as you can. Too high and you won't get bit. Just a couple of things to get you headed in the right direction. By no means the only way to fish so once you get comfortable with those techniques you can experiment with some of your ideas. Good luck.
One last thing, those are the brands that I like to use. Everyone has their own favorite brands so use whatever you have confidence in.

09-01-2013, 11:49 AM	#1
pbb Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 149	I got to MB a little after 6AM. Slurped a few ghost shrimp and launched from the ski beach ramp. I was able to park right next to the ramp. I caught two Rock Wrasse under the Ingraham St Bridge on the ghosties. One female and one male. I wasn't sure what they were, I thought maybe Whitefish. I looked them up when I got home. (I released them without taking any pics). I fished a white grub drop shot between the bridges, but got not a bite. None of the the other kayak fishermen I talked to had caught anything, nor did I see anyone on other boats catching anything. This was the first real fishing voyage on my new kayak, so I was glad to be out there, and to get the skunk off. I packed up and headed home by about 9:30, as the tide was going slack, the sun was getting hot, and there were more and more power boats on the water.

09-01-2013, 02:29 PM	#2
kobra Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: oceanside Posts: 880	Mission Bay fish move around quite a bit. They follow the bait around, or the more comfortable water. There are a lot of "spots" in the bay to fish. You just have to find where they are on the day that you fish. Spinnerbaits are your friend. I fish a 1 ounce terminator spinnerbait. 3 to 5 inch swimbaits work well also. I like 3 inch big hammers and mc swimbaits. For anything bigger than 3 inch, nothing but mc swimbaits. Crankbaits work well also. Work them right over the eel grass. Learn to count your lure down and retrieve it as close to the grass as you can. Too high and you won't get bit. Just a couple of things to get you headed in the right direction. By no means the only way to fish so once you get comfortable with those techniques you can experiment with some of your ideas. Good luck. One last thing, those are the brands that I like to use. Everyone has their own favorite brands so use whatever you have confidence in.