Sea Chubs—Family Kyphosidae — Opaleye
Species: Girella nigricans (Ayres, 1860); from the French word girelle (a derivative of julis, an old word used to denote a number of small wrasse in Europe), the Latin word nigr (dark) and the Greek word ikanos (becoming, in reference to its pleasing appearance).
Alternate Names: Blue-eye perch, green perch, bluefish, blue bass, greenfish, Jack Benny, Catalina perch, button-back, button-eye, button perch and button bass. Called chopa verde in Mexico.
Identification: Opaleye are perch-shaped but heavier bodied. Their coloring is usually dark olive green and commonly they have two light spots at the base of the dorsal fin. Some fish are pale green or bluish-green while a few almost all white fish have been observed. The eyes are distinctive: large and an opalescent, blue-green color.
Size: To 26 inches and over 13 pounds. The California angling record fish weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz. and was taken near Los Flores Creek in Malibu in 1956. Another 6 Lbs. 4 oz. opaleye was reportedly caught by David Douglas at the Santa Monica Pier in 1964 (Pasadena Independent, January 16, 1964). It was never officially recorded. The diving record fish weighed 13 Lbs. 7 oz. and was speared by David Williams at Aliso, south Laguna Beach, in 1964. The IGFA World Record fish is listed at 4 Lb 0 oz for a fish caught at the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey in 2019. Unfortunately, most opaleye caught from piers are less than 14 inches in length.
Range: Gulf of California (isolated population), and Pacific Coast from Cabo San Lucas, southern Baja California, to Otter Rock, Oregon. Common from Bahia Magdalena, southern Baja California, to Point Conception. Less common north of Point Conception and rare north of Monterey. A resident population does appear to have made a home at the Monterey Coast Guard Pier in Monterey. Surprisingly, the World Record Fish listed by the IGFA is from that isolated population, a 4 Lbs. 0 oz. fish that was caught on February 24, 2019.
GDude's daughter Amanda and an opaleye she caught at the Cabrillo Mole
Habitat: Generally found in intertidal, shallow-water, rocky areas and kelp beds. Recorded to a depth of 105 feet.
Piers: Can be caught from almost any pier in southern California located near rocks, reefs, or kelp. Less commonly taken north of Point Conception although occasionally seen at piers in Morro Bay and the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey. Best bets: Shelter Island Pier, Ocean Beach Pier (inshore), Oceanside Pier, Oceanside Harbor Pier, Dana Harbor Pier, Cabrillo Pier (jetty side), the Green Pleasure Pier and Cabrillo Mole in Avalon (the two best piers), Redondo Sportfishing Pier, and Paradise Cove Pier. Most of the fish caught at SoCal piers are fairly small to mid-size opaleye. The exceptions are the two piers in Avalon that almost always have good-sized fish available for the opaleye-seekers.
Hashem and an opaleye from the Green Pleasure Pier
Shoreline: One of the main goals of rocky shore anglers in southern California.
Boats: An inshore species rarely taken by boaters unless targeting them at places such as jetties and breakwaters.
Bait and Tackle: Some anglers specialize in opaleye and many of them swear that moss or frozen peas are the best baits. I've actually caught more on ghost shrimp but I must admit that I’ve sometimes watched, while fishing at the Cabrillo Mole on Avalon, while a group of opaleye “pros” from Los Angeles (I recognize them by now) caught opaleye after opaleye. They almost always used moss as their “bait du jour.” I think all three baits are excellent for opaleye (although the ghost shrimp are more expensive and sometimes hard to find). Fresh mussels, pile worms, bloodworm, and small rock crabs also make good bait. I also managed to hook a few opaleye using garden snails during an experiment testing different baits at Catalina in 2005.
Food Value: A good eating fish that is mild flavored, small flaked, firm textured, and low in fat content. It is suitable for many forms of cooking but most commonly fried or steamed whole.
Another opaleye from the Cabttrillo Mole in Avalon
Comments: Primarily herbivores (vegetarians), opaleye eat a variety of plants including feather boa kelp, giant kelp, sea lettuce and coralline algae. Evidently they also grab organisms attached to seaweed as they’re making their rounds, tasty little items like tube worms and red crabs. Thus they are also somewhat omnivorous, feeding on both plant and animal matter. In reality they sometimes seem to feed on whatever is available. Opaleye are a favorite of many anglers; they're sometimes hard to hook but once hooked put up a very good fight for their size.
The crystal-clear waters at Avalon present quite a challenge for the sagacious, line-shy opaleye. Big schools of 2-4 pound fish hang around the Green Pleasure Pier and the Cabrillo Mole but they can be very hard to catch. They seem more cautious of line at the Green Pleasure Pier but if you use a light line, perhaps 2-4 pound fluorocarbon, you might get them. (Actually, to be fair, I catch them every year at the Pleasure Pier and I usually am using 8-10 fluorocarbon). Of course the 1,794 ropes, tangled lines, pilings, floats, shore boats and yellow submarines that surround and hang under the GPP might also get your line.
At the Mole it’s the long fronds and blades of the giant kelp that sway (tidally) in or out near the railing. If a hooked opaleye is allowed to encircle the kelp it’s pretty much over. As soon as they are hooked apply pressure and try to keep them coming toward you while having a person ready with a net. You need to use light line but can also pay the consequences if you’re unwilling to apply enough pressure.
The opaleye “pros” who come over to Catalina from Los Angeles take the ferry over for one day, fish exclusively at the Cabrillo Mole for one species—opaleye, and are almost always successful (coolers are crammed with fish). You learn from such experts and a few things should be mentioned. The first is that the opaleye are typically at a mid-water depth, five to ten feet under the surface of the water depending upon the depth of the water. They are rarely caught on top and infrequently caught on the bottom (although I’ve caught several fishing on the bottom at night and they are often caught on the bottom by anglers casting out from jetties). Second is that if you want to fish the correct depth a float is desirable and long slip-line floats are the preferred tackle for the opaleye hunters (although bobbers will also work). Third is when you see the float go down, strike and try to keep the fish out of the kelp. Fourth is that light line (preferably fluorocarbon) and small hooks (size 6 or smaller) are key.
Opaleye, especially the older, larger fish can be frustratingly difficult to catch. Chum with peas and a whole school may come up to check out the bait and fish after fish will approach the bait before turning away in seeming disapproval. But, the challenge of outsmarting the fish is part of the fun.
Date: May 3, 2004
To: Pier Fishing In California Message Board
From: bigworm
Subject: Green peas for opaleye
While I was fishing at the Jetty, I spoke to a guy who had caught very nice looking opaleye. He said he was using green peas and green moss from the rocks as bait. Has anyone ever tried this? He showed me the peas he was using, but I just couldn't believe it.
Posted by giflet
Those two types of bait have landed me many, many, many opaleye over the years, all of which were caught at Wind and Sea Beach in La Jolla. The green peas produced 75% of the total catch. “You better wear a life jacket when joining this board, cause you can drown in information.”
Posted by Kbron2000
Are those canned green peas??? or just fresh green peas????
Posted by giflet
I always used frozen peas.
Posted by dompfa ben
Believe it or not, I have completed an extensive study (won 1st place in my high school science fair) on which baits Opaleye prefer. Opaleye are in the nibbler family, and they are omnivorous.
My "research" (high school, albeit, but good nonetheless) found that during the Spring and Summer months, opaleye prefer green peas to all other baits. Their mouths are lightning quick, and they can easily remove the meaty contents of a pea, and leave the skin on the hook.
Tips I have learned:
1. Use frozen peas, not canned peas.
2. Use peas whose skin is intact and void of holes or tears (yeah, it makes a difference!)
3. Use small hooks: size 8 to 12 baitholder hooks. I use Owner Mosquito hooks for these little darlings, and they stick pretty good.
4. Use a casting bobber and LOOONG leader setup. Pinch of shot 6 inches above the hook.
5. Chum! Throw a handful of peas in the water where you're fishing. I've seen opaleye boil off PV using a little chum.
6. Use lighter line--8 or 10 lb. maximum. These guys (especially the bigger models) can be line shy!
Moss, mussel, ghost shrimp, and red shrimp round out the top five baits in my study. All will work, but none are so economical, easy to use, and leave your hands smelling clean and gardeney
Plus, if you're a real sport, you can slam a handful of bait in your mouth and it won't turn your stomach!
It goes without saying, but don't forget to pick up that plastic bag your peas came in. In high-traffic opaleye areas... pick up one more than you brought. Happy fishing, Ben
Posted by fishingrod
Thanks for the tips. I always enjoy fishing for opaleye. I might head out to OB Pier this weekend with some peas. Opaleye are beautiful fish.
Posted by bigworm
Cool, thanks for the tips. Yeah, that's exactly the rig the guy was using. I say the leader was about maybe 4 feet. Also, when using moss is there a preference to which moss to use and how do you bait it? Very good research project you had. Hope you got a good grade.
Posted by shorepounder
Can't disagree with Ben's conclusions on fishing for Opaleye, but read on only if you enjoy light line fishing for smaller game.
Definitely in the Spring and Summer peas work well, but in the cooler times of the year other baits yield better results.
Frozen peas are the only way to go and don't let them defrost, keep them in a cooler so they stay firm and aren't as easy for the fish to take off the hook. It may not seem like a big deal, but that extra little time that it takes for them to nibble it off the hook can be the difference between a hook up and a missed fish. Also pick the best peas, no tears or imperfections, use the intact ones and toss the others in the water as chum.
Small hooks are the deal. I believe that a hook with a single pea out fishes a hook with multiple peas on it. I use Eagle Claw circle hooks model l702 in sizes 14 and 16. These hooks work really well and the difference in using a circle versus a normal hook is night and day in Opaleye fishing. My hook-up rates increased greatly once I switched to using circle hooks, and since I release all my opaleye these hooks have prevented the fish from being hooked deep, making releasing a snap. I use to use the Owner mosquitos before and if I didn't have my Eagle circles I'd be using those instead, very sticky hooks and penetrate the fishies mouth easily.
I always use slip bobbers in the smallest sizes I can depending on fishing conditions and adjust the depth according to what the fish want using just enough weight to balance the float with the smallest split shot from 4-6 inches away from the hook and the other shot a foot above that.
Chumming matters, do it.
Light line is a must, so use the lightest line you can get away with, bigger opaleye are for sure line shy most of the time.
And don't be shocked if you should happen to catch other fish besides opaleye while using frozen peas for bait. Besides opaleye I regularly catch juvenile and occasionally legal calico and sand bass, black perch, sargo, senoritas, rock wrasse, and garibaldi. Along with those I have caught on a lesser degree, halfmoon, mackerel, smelt, giant kelpfish, sheephead, spotted bay bass, sculpin, kelp perch, and blacksmith perch.
That's what's great about fishing saltwater, you never know what will bite your offering and never underestimate the power of frozen peas Happy fishing! Shorepounder <"))){
Posted by bigworm
Hey Shorepounder, Fantastic tips, I can't wait to try them out. Do you know of any good spots around Ventura or Santa Barbara area? And if possible maybe we can hook up and go opaleye fishing sometime? Just a thought. Regards
Posted by shorepounder
Hi bigworm, sorry, but I don't know of any spots up by you. I'm south of you and fish the Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan area.
Opaleye hang around rocks, kelp, and other structure like pilings, so that’s what you want to target whether it's off of jetties, shorelines, or in harbors. One good way to find them is to wear polarized sunglasses so you can see down into the water and then just chum a bunch of peas and wait to see if any opaleye come around. Keep moving if nothings happening and repeat till you find some. Not all areas hold them so moving around is key, opaleye school up and usually when you find one there's more, so covering a lot of water and different areas till you find them is the deal. Also I'm impatient when it comes to opaleye, if I'm not getting bit within 10-15 minutes at most I move on. Finally once you find a good spot that has opaleye, that spot will usually always hold opaleye.
Forgot to mention tides. I have always had my best luck on the two hours before and after an incoming tide. At slack tide action always slows, but if I know it's a spot that holds fish I'll wait them out until the tide starts to move again. Hope this helps ya out and good luck. Shorepounder <"))){
Posted by dompfapops
Opaleye are a lot of fun to catch. I've spent many happy times with my six sons targeting the beautiful blue eyed nibblers. And pound for pound they are smarter and scrappier than most fish that size. And they do get surprisingly larger than you'd think. The big ones have a large forehead and seem to have a personality that says "I'm older than you, toss me back in." And I always do throw them back because, frankly, I just don't like the taste of Opaleye. The way to catch them is, use a very small hook #14 or smaller so the frozen green pea completely hides the hook. Use a bobber and a 2 or 4 lb. leader 3 feet long. Now here's the secret, WATCH THE BOBBER, it won't move much. Set the hook at the slightest hint of a movement or all you will get back on the hook is the hollow skin of the pea.
That's right, in a split second, they can suck the meat out of the pea and leave the empty shell hanging on the hook and not even hardly move the bobber! Have fun.
I forgot to mention: put a small split shot about 8 inches above the hook so the leader hangs down in the water below your bobber.
Posted by squidder
When I was a kid long ago (1970's) on Redondo Beach Pier, I saw an unusual method one guy used to catch opaleye. He would cut open a mussel and insert four small hooks into the meat without cutting the meat out of the shell. Picture four quadrants with hooks in each. Then he would lower the entire thing near one of the pilings where the opaleye tend to feed. Worked really well at the time. I'm sure techniques like this withstand the test of time.
Posted by dompfapops
Yeah you probably were not near any opaleye. But when you do find a good spot for them take a big bag of frozen peas (they are cheap) and chum a lot. And use a much smaller hook than a #8; they have real small nibbler mouths; use a #12 or 14 hook. As for good spots in the SD area I can’t help you. If my life depended on me finding opaleye in my neck of the woods (LA) I would try the Marineland area of Palos Verdes or the Mole in Avalon.
Species: Girella nigricans (Ayres, 1860); from the French word girelle (a derivative of julis, an old word used to denote a number of small wrasse in Europe), the Latin word nigr (dark) and the Greek word ikanos (becoming, in reference to its pleasing appearance).
Alternate Names: Blue-eye perch, green perch, bluefish, blue bass, greenfish, Jack Benny, Catalina perch, button-back, button-eye, button perch and button bass. Called chopa verde in Mexico.
Identification: Opaleye are perch-shaped but heavier bodied. Their coloring is usually dark olive green and commonly they have two light spots at the base of the dorsal fin. Some fish are pale green or bluish-green while a few almost all white fish have been observed. The eyes are distinctive: large and an opalescent, blue-green color.
An opaleye I caught one day from thr Green Pleasure Pier
Size: To 26 inches and over 13 pounds. The California angling record fish weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz. and was taken near Los Flores Creek in Malibu in 1956. Another 6 Lbs. 4 oz. opaleye was reportedly caught by David Douglas at the Santa Monica Pier in 1964 (Pasadena Independent, January 16, 1964). It was never officially recorded. The diving record fish weighed 13 Lbs. 7 oz. and was speared by David Williams at Aliso, south Laguna Beach, in 1964. The IGFA World Record fish is listed at 4 Lb 0 oz for a fish caught at the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey in 2019. Unfortunately, most opaleye caught from piers are less than 14 inches in length.
Range: Gulf of California (isolated population), and Pacific Coast from Cabo San Lucas, southern Baja California, to Otter Rock, Oregon. Common from Bahia Magdalena, southern Baja California, to Point Conception. Less common north of Point Conception and rare north of Monterey. A resident population does appear to have made a home at the Monterey Coast Guard Pier in Monterey. Surprisingly, the World Record Fish listed by the IGFA is from that isolated population, a 4 Lbs. 0 oz. fish that was caught on February 24, 2019.
GDude's daughter Amanda and an opaleye she caught at the Cabrillo Mole
Habitat: Generally found in intertidal, shallow-water, rocky areas and kelp beds. Recorded to a depth of 105 feet.
Piers: Can be caught from almost any pier in southern California located near rocks, reefs, or kelp. Less commonly taken north of Point Conception although occasionally seen at piers in Morro Bay and the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey. Best bets: Shelter Island Pier, Ocean Beach Pier (inshore), Oceanside Pier, Oceanside Harbor Pier, Dana Harbor Pier, Cabrillo Pier (jetty side), the Green Pleasure Pier and Cabrillo Mole in Avalon (the two best piers), Redondo Sportfishing Pier, and Paradise Cove Pier. Most of the fish caught at SoCal piers are fairly small to mid-size opaleye. The exceptions are the two piers in Avalon that almost always have good-sized fish available for the opaleye-seekers.
Hashem and an opaleye from the Green Pleasure Pier
Shoreline: One of the main goals of rocky shore anglers in southern California.
Boats: An inshore species rarely taken by boaters unless targeting them at places such as jetties and breakwaters.
Bait and Tackle: Some anglers specialize in opaleye and many of them swear that moss or frozen peas are the best baits. I've actually caught more on ghost shrimp but I must admit that I’ve sometimes watched, while fishing at the Cabrillo Mole on Avalon, while a group of opaleye “pros” from Los Angeles (I recognize them by now) caught opaleye after opaleye. They almost always used moss as their “bait du jour.” I think all three baits are excellent for opaleye (although the ghost shrimp are more expensive and sometimes hard to find). Fresh mussels, pile worms, bloodworm, and small rock crabs also make good bait. I also managed to hook a few opaleye using garden snails during an experiment testing different baits at Catalina in 2005.
Food Value: A good eating fish that is mild flavored, small flaked, firm textured, and low in fat content. It is suitable for many forms of cooking but most commonly fried or steamed whole.
Another opaleye from the Cabttrillo Mole in Avalon
The crystal-clear waters at Avalon present quite a challenge for the sagacious, line-shy opaleye. Big schools of 2-4 pound fish hang around the Green Pleasure Pier and the Cabrillo Mole but they can be very hard to catch. They seem more cautious of line at the Green Pleasure Pier but if you use a light line, perhaps 2-4 pound fluorocarbon, you might get them. (Actually, to be fair, I catch them every year at the Pleasure Pier and I usually am using 8-10 fluorocarbon). Of course the 1,794 ropes, tangled lines, pilings, floats, shore boats and yellow submarines that surround and hang under the GPP might also get your line.
At the Mole it’s the long fronds and blades of the giant kelp that sway (tidally) in or out near the railing. If a hooked opaleye is allowed to encircle the kelp it’s pretty much over. As soon as they are hooked apply pressure and try to keep them coming toward you while having a person ready with a net. You need to use light line but can also pay the consequences if you’re unwilling to apply enough pressure.
The opaleye “pros” who come over to Catalina from Los Angeles take the ferry over for one day, fish exclusively at the Cabrillo Mole for one species—opaleye, and are almost always successful (coolers are crammed with fish). You learn from such experts and a few things should be mentioned. The first is that the opaleye are typically at a mid-water depth, five to ten feet under the surface of the water depending upon the depth of the water. They are rarely caught on top and infrequently caught on the bottom (although I’ve caught several fishing on the bottom at night and they are often caught on the bottom by anglers casting out from jetties). Second is that if you want to fish the correct depth a float is desirable and long slip-line floats are the preferred tackle for the opaleye hunters (although bobbers will also work). Third is when you see the float go down, strike and try to keep the fish out of the kelp. Fourth is that light line (preferably fluorocarbon) and small hooks (size 6 or smaller) are key.
Opaleye, especially the older, larger fish can be frustratingly difficult to catch. Chum with peas and a whole school may come up to check out the bait and fish after fish will approach the bait before turning away in seeming disapproval. But, the challenge of outsmarting the fish is part of the fun.
Date: May 3, 2004
To: Pier Fishing In California Message Board
From: bigworm
Subject: Green peas for opaleye
While I was fishing at the Jetty, I spoke to a guy who had caught very nice looking opaleye. He said he was using green peas and green moss from the rocks as bait. Has anyone ever tried this? He showed me the peas he was using, but I just couldn't believe it.
Posted by giflet
Those two types of bait have landed me many, many, many opaleye over the years, all of which were caught at Wind and Sea Beach in La Jolla. The green peas produced 75% of the total catch. “You better wear a life jacket when joining this board, cause you can drown in information.”
Posted by Kbron2000
Are those canned green peas??? or just fresh green peas????
Posted by giflet
I always used frozen peas.
Posted by dompfa ben
Believe it or not, I have completed an extensive study (won 1st place in my high school science fair) on which baits Opaleye prefer. Opaleye are in the nibbler family, and they are omnivorous.
My "research" (high school, albeit, but good nonetheless) found that during the Spring and Summer months, opaleye prefer green peas to all other baits. Their mouths are lightning quick, and they can easily remove the meaty contents of a pea, and leave the skin on the hook.
Tips I have learned:
1. Use frozen peas, not canned peas.
2. Use peas whose skin is intact and void of holes or tears (yeah, it makes a difference!)
3. Use small hooks: size 8 to 12 baitholder hooks. I use Owner Mosquito hooks for these little darlings, and they stick pretty good.
4. Use a casting bobber and LOOONG leader setup. Pinch of shot 6 inches above the hook.
5. Chum! Throw a handful of peas in the water where you're fishing. I've seen opaleye boil off PV using a little chum.
6. Use lighter line--8 or 10 lb. maximum. These guys (especially the bigger models) can be line shy!
Moss, mussel, ghost shrimp, and red shrimp round out the top five baits in my study. All will work, but none are so economical, easy to use, and leave your hands smelling clean and gardeney
It goes without saying, but don't forget to pick up that plastic bag your peas came in. In high-traffic opaleye areas... pick up one more than you brought. Happy fishing, Ben
Posted by fishingrod
Thanks for the tips. I always enjoy fishing for opaleye. I might head out to OB Pier this weekend with some peas. Opaleye are beautiful fish.
Posted by bigworm
Cool, thanks for the tips. Yeah, that's exactly the rig the guy was using. I say the leader was about maybe 4 feet. Also, when using moss is there a preference to which moss to use and how do you bait it? Very good research project you had. Hope you got a good grade.
Posted by shorepounder
Can't disagree with Ben's conclusions on fishing for Opaleye, but read on only if you enjoy light line fishing for smaller game.
Definitely in the Spring and Summer peas work well, but in the cooler times of the year other baits yield better results.
Frozen peas are the only way to go and don't let them defrost, keep them in a cooler so they stay firm and aren't as easy for the fish to take off the hook. It may not seem like a big deal, but that extra little time that it takes for them to nibble it off the hook can be the difference between a hook up and a missed fish. Also pick the best peas, no tears or imperfections, use the intact ones and toss the others in the water as chum.
Small hooks are the deal. I believe that a hook with a single pea out fishes a hook with multiple peas on it. I use Eagle Claw circle hooks model l702 in sizes 14 and 16. These hooks work really well and the difference in using a circle versus a normal hook is night and day in Opaleye fishing. My hook-up rates increased greatly once I switched to using circle hooks, and since I release all my opaleye these hooks have prevented the fish from being hooked deep, making releasing a snap. I use to use the Owner mosquitos before and if I didn't have my Eagle circles I'd be using those instead, very sticky hooks and penetrate the fishies mouth easily.
I always use slip bobbers in the smallest sizes I can depending on fishing conditions and adjust the depth according to what the fish want using just enough weight to balance the float with the smallest split shot from 4-6 inches away from the hook and the other shot a foot above that.
Chumming matters, do it.
Light line is a must, so use the lightest line you can get away with, bigger opaleye are for sure line shy most of the time.
And don't be shocked if you should happen to catch other fish besides opaleye while using frozen peas for bait. Besides opaleye I regularly catch juvenile and occasionally legal calico and sand bass, black perch, sargo, senoritas, rock wrasse, and garibaldi. Along with those I have caught on a lesser degree, halfmoon, mackerel, smelt, giant kelpfish, sheephead, spotted bay bass, sculpin, kelp perch, and blacksmith perch.
That's what's great about fishing saltwater, you never know what will bite your offering and never underestimate the power of frozen peas Happy fishing! Shorepounder <"))){
Posted by bigworm
Hey Shorepounder, Fantastic tips, I can't wait to try them out. Do you know of any good spots around Ventura or Santa Barbara area? And if possible maybe we can hook up and go opaleye fishing sometime? Just a thought. Regards
Posted by shorepounder
Hi bigworm, sorry, but I don't know of any spots up by you. I'm south of you and fish the Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan area.
Opaleye hang around rocks, kelp, and other structure like pilings, so that’s what you want to target whether it's off of jetties, shorelines, or in harbors. One good way to find them is to wear polarized sunglasses so you can see down into the water and then just chum a bunch of peas and wait to see if any opaleye come around. Keep moving if nothings happening and repeat till you find some. Not all areas hold them so moving around is key, opaleye school up and usually when you find one there's more, so covering a lot of water and different areas till you find them is the deal. Also I'm impatient when it comes to opaleye, if I'm not getting bit within 10-15 minutes at most I move on. Finally once you find a good spot that has opaleye, that spot will usually always hold opaleye.
Forgot to mention tides. I have always had my best luck on the two hours before and after an incoming tide. At slack tide action always slows, but if I know it's a spot that holds fish I'll wait them out until the tide starts to move again. Hope this helps ya out and good luck. Shorepounder <"))){
Posted by dompfapops
Opaleye are a lot of fun to catch. I've spent many happy times with my six sons targeting the beautiful blue eyed nibblers. And pound for pound they are smarter and scrappier than most fish that size. And they do get surprisingly larger than you'd think. The big ones have a large forehead and seem to have a personality that says "I'm older than you, toss me back in." And I always do throw them back because, frankly, I just don't like the taste of Opaleye. The way to catch them is, use a very small hook #14 or smaller so the frozen green pea completely hides the hook. Use a bobber and a 2 or 4 lb. leader 3 feet long. Now here's the secret, WATCH THE BOBBER, it won't move much. Set the hook at the slightest hint of a movement or all you will get back on the hook is the hollow skin of the pea.
That's right, in a split second, they can suck the meat out of the pea and leave the empty shell hanging on the hook and not even hardly move the bobber! Have fun.
I forgot to mention: put a small split shot about 8 inches above the hook so the leader hangs down in the water below your bobber.
Posted by squidder
When I was a kid long ago (1970's) on Redondo Beach Pier, I saw an unusual method one guy used to catch opaleye. He would cut open a mussel and insert four small hooks into the meat without cutting the meat out of the shell. Picture four quadrants with hooks in each. Then he would lower the entire thing near one of the pilings where the opaleye tend to feed. Worked really well at the time. I'm sure techniques like this withstand the test of time.
Posted by dompfapops
Yeah you probably were not near any opaleye. But when you do find a good spot for them take a big bag of frozen peas (they are cheap) and chum a lot. And use a much smaller hook than a #8; they have real small nibbler mouths; use a #12 or 14 hook. As for good spots in the SD area I can’t help you. If my life depended on me finding opaleye in my neck of the woods (LA) I would try the Marineland area of Palos Verdes or the Mole in Avalon.
