Dana Point Jetty by the Bait Barge (South jetty?) Sunday 5/1/2022

TheFrood

Well-Known Member
#1
Walked out along the jetty from about 11:30 to 1:00pm. On the way out would fan-cast a white and yellow swimbait, alternating from harbor side for a fan, then jetty side for a fan... about 4 or 5 casts each side. Then walk 20 or 30 feet down the jetty and repeat. No nibbles. Maybe how I had my swim-bait connected to a swivel that was tied directly to the braid. Next time I think I will use about a 15 foot mono leader connected to the braid with an FG knot, and tie the leader directly to the swimbait. Not sure. Walking back in from the barges I threw this old minnow/sardine looking plastic lure I have had for years and years. Still no bites.
 

evanluck

Well-Known Member
#2
Thanks for the report. Nice to see the bait barge is back. I think I'll head out to the end tomorrow morning to see what's cooking there!
 

moonshine

Well-Known Member
#3
Great report, loved fishing that area, brings back many fond memories.

I spent a lot of time fishing swimbaits attached to jigheads and caught plenty of legal halibut that way. But i found that fishing them without a jighead on a dropshot rig worked the best. Gamakatsu makes some pre-tied dropshot rigs I still use on the Snake river when I get a chance. The presentation is more realistic because the bait can be moved with just a twitch of the rod tip and the swimbait can move slowly like a wounded fish. The Gulp! shad in black and white looks and smells like a dying anchovy. Irresistible.