Shelter Island Launch Site

Shelter Island gets a good deal more popular for kayak anglers in the fall and winter. A few big tournaments target the sand bass population found here and it's a prime centrally located launch. There are bathrooms at the launch ramp and the entire area is maintained by the Port Authority.

Driving Directions

1. Interstate (5) South to Rosecrans exit.
2. Follow Rosecrans (heading west) to Shelter Island Drive.
3. Left on Shelter Island Drive.
4. Turn left into the launch ramp area and park on the south side of the small brick buildings. There is a short grass pull, over a sidewalk and then onto the sand of Shelter Island Beach.
   
   Click here for driving map for Shelter Island
   
   Click here for driving map for Kellogg St.
   
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Parking
Plenty on most days - when special the bite is hot at the Coronado Islands or if the tuna are in close the parking lot can fill up fast. This usually doesn't affect the single car spaces that are in front of the beach area. It's also easy to unload your kayak and park in another location.

Fishing Description

Every fall, starting September usually, the sand bass start migrating into the bay for a winters stay. While sandies can be taken year round in the big bay the larger fish seem to really show up this time of year and the number increase drastically.

The ever popular long lining technique works really well - letting most of your spool empty on a drift then reeling it back to you. 4" and 5" swimbaits are the most common bait. Dropshotting is also becoming popular and tossing small irons works well, too. There are spotties in the shallows near the sailboats and