BAY TRIPPING
By: Shawn Arnold
One of southern California’s most productive salt water fishing areas is also one of its least utilized. The Huntington Harbor/Anaheim Bay area regularly puts out catches of the many species. Spotted bay bass, sand bass, halibut, yellowfin croaker, sand sharks and rays all frequent the harbor. On occasion, white sea bass, needlefish and sculpin can be caught also.
A key to fishing in this area is to fish with light line. For the real sportsmen try using 4-pound test. Ten-pound test is the very heaviest that I would recommend. If you happen to hook a big ray or shark while using the light line, just hold on tight and hope that you don’t get spooled.
Another major key to catching fish is to find moving water. I have found that an hour before and after an incoming tide can really turn the fish’s appetite on. The bigger the movement on the incoming tide the bigger the appetite.
Although this area is best fished from a boat, there are areas off shore that prove quite productive as well. Float tubers and kayakers can frequently be seen catching fish in the harbor. You can rent kayaks on Pacific Coast Highway between Warner and 19th. There are two companies who rent kayaks side by side. I prefer Sunset Aquatics only because the owner Kenny has been there much longer and he is a real good guy.
The harbor is a big area and provides many areas to fish from a boat, kayak or float tube. If you want a chance at a feisty spotted bay bass try fishing the many docks. Always fish the shady part of the dock. This area will usually provide more fish than the sunny side. These boat or fuel docks provide two things to the spotted bay bass, food and protection. They provide food because the docks have barnacles and mussels on their pilings which small baitfish feed off of. So when the small baitfish are there the spottys are usually not to far behind. The spottys like to sit in the shade in ambush mode.
If you have a fish or depth finder look for structure. Rock piles, old concrete pilings, weedy areas and drop offs are all places to try.
I used to only fish Huntington Harbor with plastics or crank baits. I found this method to be quite challenging and rewarding. I really like the feel of catching a fish on the retrieve. Also for whatever reason I felt it was more of a test of ones talent to catch a fish on a casted lure. My favorite lures for the harbor are 3” plastics with about a 1/8 or ¼ ounce lead head. Preferred colors include chartreuse, clear with red flakes, dark green and root beer. There are many quality brands of plastic lures. AA and Kalins are the two brands that I use the most for harbor fishing.
When using plastics be sure to cast up current. That way when you are reeling in, the lure is moving with the current, which is a more natural presentation. Most of the fish that you will catch are near the bottom. Be sure that when you reel in that you are bumping the bottom as you go. You might get lucky and bounce one off the head of one the many halibut that inhabit the harbor.
Crank baits can be very effective also. I have found that lures with an orange belly produce the best results. Crank baits can be trolled or cast and retrieved.
I stated earlier that I used to only fish with lures. About three months ago Juan at Big Fish Tackle twisted my arm and got me to try ghost shrimp. As hard as I tried to convince myself that this form of fishing was for wimps, the bottom line is that live ghost shrimp works great. And at $6.00 for 2 dozen they are quite a bargain.
When using the ghost shrimp use a long shank hook with a small split shot. Cast out and get ready to rock and roll. Since I started to use ghost shrimp I have caught spotted bay bass, yellow fin croaker, sand sharks, halibut and recently got spooled using 4# test on what I can only guess was a big ray.
In a head to head battle have come to the following conclusion. Plastics will produce more sand bass, halibut and possibly spotties. Ghost shrimp will produce way more yellowfin croaker and sand sharks.
Finally I will conclude with a motto that I probably preach too much. If you are not going to eat the fish, please safely release it. And the only fish that I would consider eating that I caught in Huntington Harbor/Anaheim Bay would be a halibut.
