San Diego delivered a typical fall fishing day, with the weather staying comfortably in the low 70s. The wind, however, played a tricky part, coming in at around 10 mph. It wasn’t the calmest day for kayak fishing, so most of us opted to stay on shore and from the boat, as we needed more control in these conditions. There was talk among the crew about possibly bringing in the trollers early, but the excitement of the first hook-up of the day changed the mood quickly.
In the morning, birds flocked along the shoreline, a usual sign of activity in the waters below. We had our eyes set on yellowfin, but the day started with small bites and the occasional skipjack. These early catches, though modest, sparked conversations about past fishing trips and favorite lures. Many of us leaned on the cedar plug as our go-to, but as the day progressed, it became clear that adapting was the name of the game.
Tactics shifted frequently throughout the trip. Some anglers switched to live bait, while others alternated between trolling lures like the Halco and yo-yo jigs. Chrome lures saw some success as well, especially when we moved through schools of fish. The captain, a seasoned pro, kept us updated on the water’s movements, encouraging us to keep our jigs in as we passed potential hot spots.
The day wasn’t without its frustrations. We lost a few fish after initial hook-ups, and there were moments when multiple lines tangled during the busier times of the day. Still, the persistence paid off, especially for those focused on yellowfin. There were several triple and even quadruple hook-ups during the more active parts of the trip. Skipjacks were among the bloodier catches, but yellowfin proved to be the true prize of the day.
As conversations among the crew flowed about reels, rods, and fishing techniques, we kept an eye on the horizon, anticipating more action. The wind continued to stay steady but manageable from the boat. Luckily, the fish stayed active, and as we wrapped up the day, we had a solid tally to reflect on.
In total, the crew landed 24 yellowfin and several skipjacks. It wasn’t the most prolific day, but it was enough to keep spirits high. The captain gave us a rundown of the day’s results and hinted at better bait conditions tomorrow, raising hopes for another successful outing. The crew packed up, ready for another round, as the anticipation for more yellowfin grew.
By the time we docked, everyone was already chatting about what tomorrow might bring, eager to tweak their setups and give it another go. The day was a mixed bag of challenges and successes, but in the end, it was one more memorable trip on San Diego’s waters.
