Mission
Bay is a shallow manmade aquatic park that supports an excellent
light tackle fishery. The average depth of the bay is 10 feet
and the bottom is a combination of sand flats and eelgrass beds
which offer excellent cover and ambush points for the spotted
sand bass, sand bass, and halibut that inhabit the bay. A favorite
method for fishing the bay is drifting over the many eelgrass
beds, casting small plastic grubs or swimbaits (3-5") rigged
on light ¼ to 3/8 oz. leadheads. Keeping your jig right
on the top edge of the eelgrass often produces violent strikes.
Spotted sand bass are the most commonly caught species and average
10-14" in length, so using light tackle (4-10 lb. test)
makes this fishing much more effective and enjoyable.
The arrival of spring brings halibut into Mission Bay and fish
over 30 pounds have been taken through the early summer months
by anglers targeting the sand flats in the western portion of
the bay. Halibut prefer live baits such as anchovy, smelt, or
sardine rigged on a 2 to 2/0 hook below a sliding sinker.
Occasional catches of white seabass, bonito, barracuda, and
bonefish adds variety to the more consistently caught species,
making Mission Bay and exciting destination for the experience
light tackle specialist or the beginning fisherman.
Stop by Dana Landing Market and Fuel Dock for the latest fishing
information on the bay and one of the largest selections of
light tackle lures and fishing equipment in southern California.
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