best lures for spotted bay bass in Huntington harbor

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FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Best lures for Spotted Bay Bass in Huntington Harbor (mid fall)** 🐟

SoCal’s Spotted Bay Bass love small, natural‑looking baits around pilings, weed beds, and channel edges. In mid‑fall the water starts cooling, mornings are crisp, and bites often tighten up to dawn/dusk or over overcast days. Here’s a practical, proven setup for Huntington Harbor, plus some real-world lure options you can swing today.

**Core approach**
- Target structure: pilings, docks, rocks, and edges along the harbor entrances. Look for shaded sides and current seams where bait schools school up.
- Keep lures small and subtle. SBB are compact predators that respond to short, precise moves rather than big, flashy retrieves.
- Use light gear: 6–12 lb test fluorocarbon, 1/16–1/8 oz jigheads for finesse plastics, or 1/8–3/16 oz for slightly deeper water.

**Lures that work well in Huntington Harbor**
- Soft plastics / swimbaits (small 2.5–3.5 inches): slow, subtle paddle-tail or curly-tail profiles on light jigheads. Great for mimicking baitfish around pilings.
  - [Made in USA Twister Tad Fishing Lures (6 Pack)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F67L3TYR?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [DELONG LURES Tadpole pre Rigged Fishing Lures for Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Trout](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09T1BX1V5?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [DeLong Lures – 6" Bass Worms, Pre-Rigged Weedless](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TLHBPRD?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- Weedless / versatile options: stay in around weedlines and cover without snagging.
  - [DeLong Lures 4.5" Weedless TwinTail](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B75GX2MB?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- Small crankbaits for shallow edges: quick, resonant action to provoke bites from curious SB Bass.
  - [BANDIT LURES Series 300 Crankbait (BDT304)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00144DXP0?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- Pre-rigged swim/soft options you can deploy on the drop:
  - [Delong Lures Tadpoles pre Rigged Fishing Lures for Bass, Animated Crappie Fishing Bait](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XN6123P?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- General purpose / versatile kits good for varied cover:
  - [TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [GOANDO Fishing Lures Kit for Freshwater Bait Tackle Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DY9NGQV?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

**Video references for real-world setups**
- [Spotted Bay Bass Fishing in Huntington Harbor](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWJHT5IfkJc)
- [Sean got a nice spotty on the float tube #fishing #bass](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB1igKZceSo)
- [WIDE OPEN Spotted Bay Bass Fishing | Float Tube Fishing the Harbor](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4stOwFL5MA)

**Pro tips for mid fall in Huntington Harbor**
- Time of day: early mornings and late afternoons often bite best; overcast days can keep bite windows longer. 
- Tides and current: use slightly heavier jigheads on a slow, methodical retriever when current is stronger; otherwise go lighter to keep lure hopping above the seafloor without snagging.
- Bites can be short and subtle—watch your line for tiny twitches and be ready to react quickly.
- Pair lures with a light, steady retrieve with occasional subtle hops to imitate a baitfish’s erratic motion.

**Weather note (mid fall)**
- Water temps typically drift into the low–mid 60s F mornings, warming a bit through the afternoon. Clear water can demand a more stealthy approach; cloudy days shine with a touch more aggressive retrieves.

Need more specifics on a given day? I can tailor a short 2-lure plan for the current conditions and tide. Tight lines and stay patient—the bite usually shows up when you least expect it. Let’s get you a few spots to try and a plan to dial it in. 🎣

Keep it casual, stay curious, and good luck out there! 🚀

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🎣 Huntington Harbour, Huntington Beach, California