QUESTION: RE : Seal Beach / Bolsa Chica Wetlands

[TheGDog]

My 11yo has expressed a desire for us to try fishing. He actually meant FreshWater fishing. But I explained to him how we live ridiculously close to the Ocean and how it would be foolish to not try fishing there first.

I did a ton of saltwater fishing from shore/pier from 7yo til mid-20's.

Seal Beach and Bolsa Chica Wetlands is like maybe 4 miles away. Last time I was in the Wetlands Preserve glassing, I noted there were some dudes casting off the rocks way over by the inlet channel bridge area. But there were inside the inland side of that bridge on the rocks. Thought to myself I bet that'd be a good place to fish from for some species. My question is if anybody knows if it's illegal to be in that area, what with the Wetlands supposing to be for birds, though that side doesn't really have any wetlands/marsh to it.

Also was curious if anybody has had any luck fishing off the rocks that are South of Seal Beach Pier, that border the Naval Weapons Ammo Depot land? I've seen Dolphins come into that little cove before in years past so figured there's got to be something worthwhile for them to come in for it. Was wondering what species and style of fishing has been decently successful for people off those rocks?

My first thought was try to take him casting with a Bonita Jig. Or is there a setup that would be more productive off those Rocks?

 

[Bowman]

Bloodworms cut into pieces.
Clam or mussle , small hooks
Like #14,
Croaker , perch, rockfish and corbina.
Use the swivels with beads
Prevents tangles, weight on bottom.

 

[TheGDog]

All the fish in the Ocean love black mussels!

 

[msailor]

Been up there a few times checking on our ammo barges and always see people fishing off the jetty aka rocks north of the base. Good luck!


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[WaterDawg]

You can fish from a boat inside Huntington Harbor up against the wetlands and anywhere you can get shore access. Spotted bay bass and halibut are the main quarry. The jetties on both sides of the harbor exit/inteance basin are off limits as far as I know. Got kicked off of them when I was a kid. Guys fish from shore under the PCH bridge. I don’t know how good it is. I know the area, but without a boat I don’t know where to point you. You can rent a Carolina Skiff at the Newport Pavillion and catch bass.

 

[nicapopolis]

Skiff in Newport for Bay Bass and Halibut is always fun.

If I were you, I would fish for surf perch. I will PM you my spot from when I lived there.

You can use light tackle and all you need is artificial bait. Gulp 2" camp sandworms are referred to as "crack" for surf perch. You will catch halibut and croaker on the same bait as well.

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[Bowman]

For bass white grubs with lead head jigs and a cut piece of squid.
With 10 lb fishing line.
Use to nail them at dog beach in the river with incoming tide.
Which reminds me use to pump up ghost shrimp. Dug for sand fleas at the beach.

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

Nick,

Surf perch fishing is a good time.. I haven't gone in a long, long time but have wanted to get more into it.. just no time lately. Last couple times was at IB and Torrey, flipping the same setup (camo Gulp worms, C-rigged) into the surf. Fun stuff.

Lee,

I surf the Jetty at Dog Beach quite a bit and often see good sized beans running along the shore right where the river opens up. Not too many people fish there much but I may give it a shot here soon.



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[Bowman]

Nick,

Surf perch fishing is a good time.. I haven't gone in a long, long time but have wanted to get more into it.. just no time lately. Last couple times was at IB and Torrey, flipping the same setup (camo Gulp worms, C-rigged) into the surf. Fun stuff.

Lee,

I surf the Jetty at Dog Beach quite a bit and often see good sized beans running along the shore right where the river opens up. Not too many people fish there much but I may give it a shot here soon.



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It use to be very good before they mucked up the jetty(rocks)
My expartner and I would fish off the rocks on the river side.
He was the one to teach me the
Fine point in jetty fishing.
We would get a limit of sand bass.
It was very surprising.
From dog beach up stream in the marsh is tons of ghost shrimp.
Need a pump. Can get your legal limit. Great bait.
Better take rubber boats or old
Tennis shoes. LOL

 

[nicapopolis]

Nick,

Surf perch fishing is a good time.. I haven't gone in a long, long time but have wanted to get more into it.. just no time lately. Last couple times was at IB and Torrey, flipping the same setup (camo Gulp worms, C-rigged) into the surf. Fun stuff.

Lee,

I surf the Jetty at Dog Beach quite a bit and often see good sized beans running along the shore right where the river opens up. Not too many people fish there much but I may give it a shot here soon.



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I will be in Santa Barbara at the end of the month for work. Trying to figure out a way to sneak away and surf fish.

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[Bowman]

I have had better luck at or where there are rocks. Surf fishing is fun but tough with beach goers.

 

[TheGDog]

What the hell "river" are you guys talking about at Dog Beach???

Are you talking about the inlet channel to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands?

 

[Bowman]

San Diego river next to mission Bay. Rock jetty

 

[MrBamboo]

Many years ago tried the Santa Ana River jetty from the Newport side, just caught perch and a lot of stuff that flows downstream. The people I worked with mostly go the the HB pier and catch perch, and surfers.

That picture is the new outflow to the ocean thru the old oil fields from the Huntington Harbor Channel under Warner avenue, and was put in so the trash would not build up in the back of the harbor.

 

[nicapopolis]

San Diego river next to mission Bay. Rock jetty

It sounds like we might be talking about 2 different dog beaches. There is one at the north side of HB as well.

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[Bowman]

Ocean Beach San Diego

 

[sdolan617]

What the hell "river" are you guys talking about at Dog Beach???

Are you talking about the inlet channel to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands?
View attachment 37652

Close - Dog beach abuts the next overpass where the santa ana river drains into ocean


There was a big battle between city/county over allowing dogs off leash here. I thought last i heard you couldn't anymore so you may or may not see dogs

 

[nicapopolis]

Close - Dog beach abuts the next overpass where the santa ana river drains into ocean


There was a big battle between city/county over allowing dogs off leash here. I thought last i heard you couldn't anymore so you may or may not see dogs View attachment 37653

That is not the well known Huntington Dog Beach. That might just be a beach where people let their dogs off leash though.

Dog Beach is at the far north end of Huntington City Beach just before Bolsa Chica State Beach.

There is apparantly a San Diego version of this as well which is why there was confusion.

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[sdolan617]

That is not the well known Huntington Dog Beach. That might just be a beach where people let their dogs off leash though.

Dog Beach is at the far north end of Huntington City Beach just before Bolsa Chica State Beach.

There is apparantly a San Diego version of this as well which is why there was confusion.

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Yup - I was referring to the quasi-sanctioned dog park on the south side of HB bordering newport. Looks like the original reference was to dog beach proper on north side HB. (Though I do see a lot of surf fishing just north of the where I pointed out at the far south side of the HB state beach.)

 

[Nuevo]

I say take your son on a half day boat. Lots of fun, and let the deck hands know he’s fishing for the first time. They will get you on fish, and help with hooks and knots , bait etc..