A Question For The Halibut Wisperers

[Baja_Traveler]

I've always been under the impression that the better halibut grounds are further West off Zuniga - out by the whistler buoy. Area "G" that you don't show...

[goldenglory18]

I'm as far away from being an expert as anyone here, but this is what I've targeted when Hali specific fishing and where I've exactly found them...

"...Halibut like to hang out in the transition zone between sandy bottom and reef."

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Originally Posted by Baja_Traveler

I've always been under the impression that the better halibut grounds are further West off Zuniga - out by the whistler buoy. Area "G" that you don't show...

Are you referring to the last channel buoy on the west side of the main dredged channel entering the bay (Area I) at about 1-1.5 miles off the end of Zuniga Point, or the buoy about 4.5-5 miles off the end of Point Loma at the edge of the map (Area G)? The buoy at G whistles, and I think it's officially "Buoy #1" but that's a long damn way in a kayak, especially if the winds and currents turn against us. It can get rough out there.

For reference, each longitude/latitude square is roughly 1.5 miles. The beginning of the dredged channel is at Channel Buoys 5 & 6. The tip of Zuniga jetty lines up with Channel Buoys 7 & 8.



From: Mr. NiceGuy's pin-board office wall of brainstorming things-to-do and fishing zones to explore

[Mr. NiceGuy]

For those of you who want to ask, it's here:

[Baja_Traveler]

I've always peddled out to the first buoy 1.5 miles off the end of the jetty to start my drift. Prevailing wind will push me straight across the flats towards the Hotel Del. Then I'll peddle outside the surf line back north and work the outer structure of the jetty on my way back in. When there is no wind, or it is the wrong direction I slowly peddle more towards the military base, either bounce balling a hootchie, dragging a Carolina rigged curly tail or rarely (because I'm a sadist and refuse to fish live bait mostly), dropper looping a mackerel I sabiki'd off Ballast Point (mackerel always seem to be there).
Sometimes if the tide and swell is right I can cut through the jetty in the center where the swell washes over it - just time the incoming swell, get up a head of steam, then hold the Mirage fins up against the hull when I pass over the rocks 1-2 feet under me. Saves about a mile of peddling after a long day, but shouldn't be attempted on larger swell days...

That little cove just above the "32" on the inside of Point Loma on the MPA map is also a great spot to fly fish for calicos. Always had good success in there...

[Mr. NiceGuy]

^^ I see. From the beginning of the dredged channel (zone I/J) straight across the sand flats to Hotel Del, it's about 30-35' until you approach the beach. I want to explore that area too. It looks like the entire Coronado Bay area is pretty flat and shallow, and all sandy.

Cutting through the jetty puts you at about 20-25' depth from that point to the hotel. (EDIT: I see now that you meant for the trip back. Yes, depending on conditions, that definitely saves some time.)

An old-timer told me he used to fish that sandy area using a piece of chain as his weight on a 3-way to scuff up the sand and draw attention to his bait that followed behind on a 3-4' leader.