I spent this morning scoping out other fishing holes relatively close to my home spot, Doho. I headed South to San Clemente where I've been surfing for the last 20 some-odd years. Although it was sunny in Dana Point, San Clemente was locked in with fog. I took the Calafia exit, then down Calafia to the beach. Or, should I say, a city run metered parking lot. Twenty five cents gets you 15 minutes. But, there's great access for float tubers and kayakers. The surf there gets gnarly with thumping beach breaks. But there are channels, rivers of water, in between the surf for a free ride out. Just 1/4 mile directly offshore, Seal Rock sits there with its boilers and kelp beds. The place is usually awash in seals, however, the bottom is full of Sheephead and Garabaldi. I know, I have masked and finned it before. Seal Rock is definitely a kayaker's trip.

I backed out of the metered lot and headed alittle North to the free public beach access at Riveria. I have a buddy who catches halibut surf fishing just north of the Riveria beach break. I found a place to park in front of someone's house off of Riveria street, and walked to the beach entrance staircase. Now, float tubers would have no problem dealing with the short walk, but a kayaker would have to negoiate the concrete stairs.

By 10am it was not only foggy, but the NW wind was picking up. Choppy and foggy, I decided not to go. So I headed to San Onofre surf beach. I've seen people fishing there for years, mostly on longboards. Surfers would, bring out a pole and some gear and fish off their boards in between surf sessions. I've seen some big fish get pulled out of there (while I was busy surfing).

I used my state park pass to get in. I parked as close to the nuclear power plant as I could. It was medium tide, the water was unusually clear with a light green tint, and the water temp was at 62F. Unreal. The sun was out, the surf a steady 2' and the wind sat a 10mph. I had no problems getting out with my tube. The surf was small and breaking fairly far outside. I fished inside and outside of the breakers.

The bottom was comprised of pebble stone reefs, eel grass, sandy patches and occasional orange colored kelp. I could see at least 15' down. I went after halibut and got one 24" keeper with a lime-green specked 5" grub. I also used frozen achoives to no avail. Although I used two medium sized treble hooks, I'm still having a hard time hookin 'em.

Bait balls in groups of 75 to 100 where following me around while I fished. They looked like smelt. It's the first time I've seen bait fish in 2 weeks. Of course I didn't bring a bait rig. But I will next time. Although only caught one fish, I can't wait to go back. I'm sure the bass and halibut fishing are gonna get good there this spring.
Yanni

yanni