Short story - La Jolla Kelp, 3 calico, hard bottom south of kelp 2 white fish/1 Boccaccio, misc rockfish, 9 mile bank scout nothing
Long story - This is not informative for those with experience, I have none so it was news to me. Drove down to Mission Bay and launched from South Shore boat launch. Different from Dana point and glad I installed a step on the trailer to help me load on and off the boat from the ramp without a dock. Made a straight shot to La Jolla Kelp FAIL. I had no idea how thick the kelp was - fouled the motor. Used the trolling motor to get us out. We made it to about 50 feet of water off of LJ and trolled for these things called YT FAILED. Snagged on kelp. The number of folks fishing was something I wasn't used to either - about 30-40 kayak fisherman, small boat, and party boat - everyone was respectful and I felt like I was able to not interfere with anyone's day. Moved to deeper water and started trolling with the Rapala- hooked up with 3 calicos, bigger than what we were used to - released. I then successfully fouled the trolling motor since Rapala's float and braid doesn't sink down. Removed prop and took 10 minutes to take line out.
We moved to the hard mound structure 3 miles west of La Jolla scouting rockfish. Double dropper with top lure soft swim bait with squid and bottom loop squid 4 oz weight. Picked up 2 whitefish and deep released a bunch of small brownish red rockfish that we had no idea wth they were.
Moved south 2 miles to the hard ridge like structures and hooked up to more whitefish and a Boccaccio.
Moved again to see what the north 9 mile bank looked like. Only one other boat that I saw at 400 feet of water and decided to go home.
Lessons - when I see all the boats swinging out, Don't be a dumbass and next time follow them and don't foul the propeller on stew thick seaweed. Don't be a dumbass and use spot lock with a line floating toward the bow.
We still had tons of fun on the water and still would have done this trip again. Hopefully this helps a newb like me from making same mistakes.
Long story - This is not informative for those with experience, I have none so it was news to me. Drove down to Mission Bay and launched from South Shore boat launch. Different from Dana point and glad I installed a step on the trailer to help me load on and off the boat from the ramp without a dock. Made a straight shot to La Jolla Kelp FAIL. I had no idea how thick the kelp was - fouled the motor. Used the trolling motor to get us out. We made it to about 50 feet of water off of LJ and trolled for these things called YT FAILED. Snagged on kelp. The number of folks fishing was something I wasn't used to either - about 30-40 kayak fisherman, small boat, and party boat - everyone was respectful and I felt like I was able to not interfere with anyone's day. Moved to deeper water and started trolling with the Rapala- hooked up with 3 calicos, bigger than what we were used to - released. I then successfully fouled the trolling motor since Rapala's float and braid doesn't sink down. Removed prop and took 10 minutes to take line out.
We moved to the hard mound structure 3 miles west of La Jolla scouting rockfish. Double dropper with top lure soft swim bait with squid and bottom loop squid 4 oz weight. Picked up 2 whitefish and deep released a bunch of small brownish red rockfish that we had no idea wth they were.
Moved south 2 miles to the hard ridge like structures and hooked up to more whitefish and a Boccaccio.
Moved again to see what the north 9 mile bank looked like. Only one other boat that I saw at 400 feet of water and decided to go home.
Lessons - when I see all the boats swinging out, Don't be a dumbass and next time follow them and don't foul the propeller on stew thick seaweed. Don't be a dumbass and use spot lock with a line floating toward the bow.
We still had tons of fun on the water and still would have done this trip again. Hopefully this helps a newb like me from making same mistakes.
