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La Jolla Shores
Launch Site

In southern California kayak fishing La Jolla Shores is the place to be. A short paddle to several different fishing areas can yield excellent calico bass fishing, yellowtail, wide open barracuda or bonito, bottom-dwelling rockfish, halibut, white sea bass and even thresher sharks. The launch is the only place we know of where we can drive down onto the beach and unload. Some mornings there are 20 kayak anglers rigging and waiting for their perfect lull in between sets of waves to get the dry launch. If you're looking to get in on the action get here early - most launch at or just before greylight and almost always before sunrise. Parking is at a premium during the summer when yellowtail fever catches on!

Driving Directions
From the north, take Interstate 5 south and exit at La Jolla Village Drive westbound. Turn left at the signalized intersection at Torrey Pines Road and follow it to the signalized intersection at La Jolla Shores Drive. Turn left onto Avendia de la Playa and follow it right down onto the sand - be careful!

From the south, take Interstate 5 northbound and exit at Ardath Road. Turn right at the signalized intersection at La Jolla Shores Drive, then turn left at the signalized intersection at Avenida de la Playa. Follow Avenida de la Playa right down onto the beach.

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Parking

A 350 space parking lot (8 disabled spaces) can be found at the foot of Calle Frescota next to the lifeguard tower. In summer, this lot fills to capacity by mid-day. Limited on street parking may be available.

Fishing Description

Four distinct areas provide 4 very different opportunities for trophy fish. Directly out from the launch area you will find the north end of an enormous kelp forest. Calico bass are everywhere inside the forest and are most active in early summer through fall. Kayaks can access parts of the kelp that normal boats cannot reach - take advantage of that! Topwater action can be had with these awesome fighters and they also love the swimbaits, spinnerbaits, cranks and weedless plastics worked around the canopy and down in the pot holes.

Along the kelp edge and further west can find the most yellowtail action and the occasional white sea bass, follow the lobster pot markers in winter for the offseason homeguard yellowtail. Irons (Salas 6x Jr, 7x, Tady 45, etc) and live mackeral work the best.

North of the Scripps Pier is wide open sandy flats that are the home to many halibut - shallower in summer and deeper in the winter months. Ball bouncing plastics or hardbaits works and live smelt is like halibut candy.

The La Jolla Canyon is deep. Real deep. It's the perfect home for rockfish like vermillions and ling cod. Fish deep on the edges of the canyon with heavy plastics (2 oz+) or squid and you'll have dinner in no time.