Best place to fishing in San Diego, CA?

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FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Top spots for San Diego fishing this early winter**

Here are reliable bets around San Diego this time of year. Early winter means cooler water (roughly the low 60s °F), mornings are often the best bite windows, and moving tides along channels and structure fire up the fish. Dress warm, bring a headlamp for dawn sessions, and you’ll be rewarded with steady action.

- **Mission Bay & San Diego Bay (Bay)** — *Why:* sheltered, shallow flats and deeper channels = steady bites for a variety of species. *Key targets:* **Spotted Bay Bass**, **Croaker**, and in winter, some opportunistic **Halibut** along the channels. *Tactics:* light-to-mid gear, live bait (an anchovy or sardine) on a bottom rig or drift along sand bars; for bass, try 3–4 inch swimbaits or small jigs. *Tip:* fish on moving tides; early morning or late afternoon can be best. 🐟

- **La Jolla Cove & La Jolla Shores (Ocean)** — *Why:* rugged reefs and rock piles hold aggressive bass and other offshore dwellers. *Key targets:* **Calico Bass**, occasional **Leopard Shark** and other nearshore species. *Tactics:* use fluorocarbon leaders (12–20 lb), lightweight plastics or metal jigs, and fish near structure at first light or around dusk. *Tip:* calm days, clear water = pick your spots and work slow.

- **Shelter Island / Dana Landing (Bay)** — *Why:* easy access from the harbor, with good structure along the edges. *Key targets:* **Calico Bass**, **Spotted Bay Bass**, and occasional **Halibut** along channels. *Tactics:* dropper-loop or jig-head plastics, live bait when available; drift along edges and sand channels on exchanging tides. *Tip:* evenings can produce better bass activity.

- **Ocean Beach Pier & Pacific Beach (Ocean)** — *Why:* classic pier fishing with multiple lanes of water; you can reach a variety of species without leaving the city. *Key targets:* **Croaker**, **Perch**, **Calico Bass** on calmer days. *Tactics:* sardines or small reef jigheads, keep a light rig for perch; cast along the pier pilings and sand patches. *Tip:* go with the morning/evening crowd and watch the tide lines.

- **Imperial Beach Pier (Ocean)** — *Why:* consistent winter bite for nearshore species, especially near the inlet and sandbars. *Key targets:* **Halibut**, **Croaker**, **Perch**. *Tactics:* drift rigs with cut bait or live bait when possible; lighter tackle works well on the pier.

- **Freshwater options around San Diego** — *Why:* if you want a break from salt, inland lakes give solid bass/crappie options. *Top spots:* **Lake Murray**, **Santee Lakes**. *Tactics:* bass typically respond to plastic worms, swimbaits, and moving baits; carry a small tackle box with drop-shot and jig head rigs. *Tip:* freshwater bites can be seasonal too; check local patterns.

If you want, I’ll tailor a quick 3-spot plan for your tackle and the day’s conditions. Tight lines and may your reels sing this season! 🎣

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