California Sheepshead

[MVP]

Had a milestone birthday this past Saturday. My brother and nephews surprised me with a fishing trip to target California Sheepshead out of San Diego, CA which just happens to be my favorite place in the country. If it were not for having two elderly parents that i help take care of that is were i would most likely be living as that place was made for me. Having the California cousin to our blackfish is just the icing on the cake.

In the past there was some guy posting pictures of the California Sheepshead on hear that when i saw it i said to myself one day i will need to head out there and get me some of that as they are as close to our blackfish as i have seen.

Can you or someone who knows of this fishery please contact me as i would like to plan trip to fish with my brother and newphew's for this magnificant species.

Alex
201-741-1823

[bulletbob]

Lots of info on the net about these fish.. Very much like a colorful blackfish..
Sadly they are being heavily pressured and the results have been increasingly restrictive size and bag limits, and something really ominous in my opinion that is happening in California more and more.. Restricted zones where NO fishing is allowed.. Heres a link that has a nice synopsis on this species of Wrasse that tends to place much of the blame on the live fish market... bob

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/a...rnia-sheephead

[duranautic al]

try reaching out for O'Conner...he's a member here and is a Cali sheephead catching mo-fo!

[MVP]

Originally Posted by duranautic al

try reaching out for O'Conner...he's a member here and is a Cali sheephead catching mo-fo!

Thanks for the heads up on O'Conner. That was the guy i was thinking about

[Capt. Lou]

Happy Birthday Alex ! Sorry missed ur party , I'm sure u had a great time !

[Blackfish Doug]

Alex go to bloodydecks.com I was thinking about doing that as well one of these days. I had quite a few people get back to me & give me the right info on where to go. It's not like our blackfish here different methods & bait. Just go there they will give you some great advice if it was me I would doing a trip on the Excell a trip of a lifetime one I would love to do.

Here's a report from Baja
If you get to the Vizcaino area you should head over to either Bahia Asuncion or Bahia Tortuga. Both excellent fisheries and kayak friendly. I live in Asuncion and fish my kayak 3 or 4 times a week. Be happy to put you on some fish. Good Yellowtail fishing but I have been having to weed through a bunch of 5 to 10 pounders to get one in the 25 to 30 pound range for the last month or so. March through August were very good for quality yellows last year. Lots of chunky calicos, sheepshead and the shore fishing has been good for corvina, corbina and small halibut.

Coronado Island

A few boats are hitting the area to the north of the Coronados for rockfish which are legal to take in Mexico but are not legal in the U.S. until March 1st. They are working from 250 to 400 feet deep for a mix of red rockfish, whitefish and a sheepshead or two.

Yellowtail are around in a couple of areas. The north end of South Island and around in the lee side to Ribbon Kelp has the best volume BUT these yellows are small. Most are in the 4- to 6-pound class with a few up to around 8- to 9-pounds. They are sonar fish showing in 90 to 130 feet of water and biting on both the smaller yoyo iron and the dropper loop sardine. There are a few barracuda at Ribbon Kelp, too.
The weather side of North Island has the better-grade fish but not much volume. These are sonar fish, too. You might get lucky and find a school, and if you do, these fish are bigger -- in the 15- to 18-pound class. Again, the yoyo iron and the dropper loop sardine are both working.
Bonito are all over the Islands. If you want those, try trolling Rapalas and tuna feathers. They are nice-sized fish in the 4- to 7-pound class. …Fishdope.com
Another posted report you have to ask around you will get the info you want

Went out Saturday on the Dawn last Saturday, great boat. Pat and his crew do a great job. We had great weather and most of our stops were in shallow water using about 4oz. Large plastics were killing the Lings, but so were live dines and strip squid, just a great bite. Fished mostly on dropper loops, lots of quality Lings, Whitefish, Reds and some nice Sheepshead. Got my personal best sheepshead 24# monster, really fun to get some great bottom fishing after a epic year on the pelagic.

[kpmoffitt]

I know this is kind of an old post, but i remember reading this a couple years ago so i searches for the post. Did you ever find a boat for sheepshead? Going out there in November and really want to catch one. Not finding much in the way of charters that specialize in catching them.

[jigemup]

Happy birthday Alex, 21 is a milestone. I started looking at CA sheepshead fishing last year and it would be an honor in sharing the research and experience with you in the winter months if you need a spot filled.

[Skolmann]

Just a FYI that most people don’t realize-there is a bonefishing fishery in San Diego Bay.

[kpmoffitt]

Skolmann,I’ve heard about that! Sounds like mostly fish and the 2-4 lbs class and they catch them in the harbor., not the traditional flats settings you picture when thinking of bonefish. I’m planning on bringing out a spinning rod to mess around in between meetings—have you targeted them there before? If so, I’d love to pick your brain.