I grew up in So Cal fishing rock quarries, small city lakes and local piers like Malibu and Long Beach. In this area the pressure on fish can be great. Fishing is often slow, and the average size of your catch poor as compared to some other parts of the country. As I grew up, I became less satisfied with my small local lakes. Setting my sites on ‘bigger fish’, as a teenager I purchased an aluminum boat with a 9.9 hp outboard and a trolling motor. Things were looking up!
With my new boat I started to explore the larger lakes scattered in the foothills, mountains, and deserts of So Cal. Although fishing can be good on these lakes, getting to them can be difficult as they can be hours away.
Another issue that became a breaking point for me as time passed, was the crowded conditions. Like most fisher-persons, I usually fished on the weekend. Most lakes on a summer Saturday are jammed. Not only people crowd the landscape but boats, jet skis, and other recreational objects are floating in the water everywhere you look.
Over the years, overcrowded conditions along with declining fish populations began to take a toll on my fishing enthusiasm. Then one day I was talking to my fishing buddy, and he said that we should try Huntington Harbor. He explained the fishing was great and there was very little competition.
That day of fishing in the harbor changed my way of thinking. From now on, my sights would be set on saltwater fishing in the many harbors, bays and breakwaters scattered along the California coast. After converting to kayak fishing a few years later, I now have the perfect combination of stress-free fishing in areas that hold lots of big, aggressive, and good tasting fish.
What Fish Can You Catch From Your Kayak In The Harbor?
- Spotted Bay Bass
- Sand Bass
- Calico Bass
- Halibut
- Rays and Sharks
Being a former Largemouth Bass fisherman, my interest was peaked after hearing about a unique fish that prowls the docks and riprap of harbors like Newport, San Diego, and Long Beach, it’s called the Spotted Bay Bass. It is actually a some-what rare fish, as it can generally only be found in the waters from northern Mexico to central California. Its main concentration is right here in So Cal. It is a super hard fighter that never disappoints, and a favorite of kayak fisherman.
Other bass can be caught in and around the harbor areas as well. Calico bass are usually available near the jetties and breakwater locations at the entrance of the harbor. Sand bass can also be found in these areas and further back in the bay on sandy bottoms and near structure.
A favorite fish found near the sandy bottoms of back bays is the Pacific Halibut. These great tasting fish are quite common and can be caught using several strategies. Although they can grow to be 80 lbs or more, they usually are just under the legal limit when found in the harbor. Kayak fisherman target these fish with the hopes that the occasional 23 or 24 inch surprise will end up on their lap.
Water skiing is possible in your kayak if you happen to hook up with the larger inhabitants of the harbors. This is where the real difference between lakes and the harbors is seen. The best you can usually do in an average lake is a 20 or 30 lb catfish. Here you have access to Rays and Sharks up to 100 pounds or more.
Its not uncommon when kayak fishing off the bottom with cut bait like squid to hook up with a large bat ray. These gentle giants are a blast to catch but gentle and easy-going enough to let you release them back home without too much fuss.
Sharks are not as prolific in this area as warmer waters like Florida, but there are a few. My favorite is the Leopard Shark. These are beautiful creatures that can grow to 5-6 feet and put up a great fight. Although they can be found year round in So Cal the peak season is July-Sept.
In addition to these fish, there are many other incidental catches you might come across. During the summer months you might hook up with small Barracuda or White Seabass.
Suggested Fishing Gear For Harbor and Light Saltwater
For those wanting to kayak fish for Bass and Halibut in the harbor and back bays, I would recommend the following.
10-25 lb class rod. https://amzn.to/3yIzJ1c
2500-3500 spinning reel. https://amzn.to/3FQzYsq
Light salt conventional reel. https://amzn.to/3Liw8JJ
30-50 lb braid to cut the kelp https://amzn.to/3wjvKql
20-25 lb mono leader https://amzn.to/3yKGcsr
squid or shrimp cut bait
1/0 – 2/0 circle for bass https://amzn.to/3NdoUbo
How To Fish Harbors and Back Bays In Your Kayak
Fishing the bays and harbors is a lot like fishing the lakes for bass. You can even use many of the same lures like grubs, spinner baits, jigging spoons, and crank baits. These come in handy when working the docks and rip rap just like you would in your local lake. Some fishing locations may take you into deeper water than you might usually fish. Working for halibut at the sandy harbor entrance may be in 20 or 30 feet of water and may require up to an ounce or more of weight.
I divide the harbors into 3 main kayak fishing locations
- Deeper harbor entrance breakwater and sandy channel bottom
- Shoreline rip-rap, moored boats, and docks
- Shallow back water and bridge pilings
Let’s see how you might fish each of these type of areas.
Kayak Fishing Harbor Breakwater Riprap And Deep Sand Bars
Fishing the breakwater and deeper channel sand bars can be a little rough. In these locations you will be close to open ocean and incoming swells and wind. Its best to become very familiar with your kayak and equipment before taking on these more challenging locations. Fishing these areas can be very exciting tough and may be more fun than even catching fish sometimes.
The two main areas to fish here are usually the breakwater riprap and the sandy channel bottom. Fishing the riprap is much like lake riprap only you might have 2-4 ft swells pouring under your kayak and crashing into the rocks in front of you. Great care is needed to keep far enough back so as not to put yourself in any danger.
Fishing the breakwater usually involves casting swim baits toward the rocks and retrieving back or casting various types of crank baits. I prefer medium divers that can follow the decent of the rocks toward the bottom of the channel. The danger is snagging seaweed which often can spell the end of your bait. This will target Calico and Sand bass most of the time. Since you are out near open water you might even come across Bonita, Mackerel, or even Yellowtail.
Back off the rocks 10 or 20 yards and drop down for more bass or one of the many Halibut hiding in the sand waiting for dinner to pass by. These fish can be tempted into biting using a number of baits. Live bait like sardines and anchovies usually work best. Dropped down on a .5 to 1 oz sliding sinker with an 18-24 inch leader will do the trick.
No live bait? Cut bait like squid and anchovies can usually draw a bite when the conditions are right. A better choice can sometimes be a jig like a Hopkins Spoon or Butterfly Jig. Bass and Halibut can’t stand to sit idle with all that flashing and movement going on. In addition, these jigs are great for working the deeper water.
Kayak Fishing Shoreline Rip-Rap, Moored Boats, and Docks
If things get a little too rough or the fish just aren’t cooperating out there, move back into the harbor where the docks and boat moorings start. From here you can usually fish for hours working your way back up the harbor. These fish, especially the ‘Spots’ love holding to structures found throughout the bay. There are two primary ways I like to fish these areas. One is to hit the dock pilings or fish a little deeper water under the moored boats and ships.
Fishing the docks and pilings are really fun. Most any bass bait will work. I like clear 3-4 in grubs in sparkle red with a ¼ ounce lead head. Swim the grub or bounce it along the bottom. Letting 20g butterfly jigs flutter down in front of the dock pilings works really well. You can often pick up a halibut with this deadly setup as well. Plastic worms, spinner baits, crank baits and most other largemouth bass type lures will work.
Another area that will regularly produce fish are areas with moored boats. Bass love to hang out around the anchor points at the bottom and hide out in the shade of each boat. Casting grubs and worms around these spots will usually work. Another way to approach this area is to pass by trolling a Bomber, ShadRap or other crank bait. Try to get close to the anchor system but careful not to get hung up on seaweed or the chain. Halibut love to settle in these areas as well.
Abandon the Lake and Hit The Harbor
Kayak fishing in your local harbor or back bay is a great change of pace or just a great change period. If you live near the coast and have not tried this type of fishing, don’t wait another month. You will love the open spaces, abundant fish populations and other wildlife that will come your way now and then like Sea Lions, Pelicans, and Dolphins. For some videos of fish we catch in Newport Harbor check out my videos above.
