Hunting So. Cal Coast

[Zippy]

I'm a beginner. I live in Tucson, Arizona - not much fishing here. I would like to find some areas to where I can drive and either swim, or boat (I have a small inflatable with a 2-horse outboard) off the beach or whatever and hunt. any suggestions?

[Ex Nihilo]

I've never been but I hear Puerto Penasco is nice.

http://www.puerto-penasco.com/

[spearthebigones]

Originally Posted by Zippy

I'm a beginner. I live in Tucson, Arizona - not much fishing here. I would like to find some areas to where I can drive and either swim, or boat (I have a small inflatable with a 2-horse outboard) off the beach or whatever and hunt. any suggestions?

an inflatable with a 2hp!?

My first suggestion is don't even think of using an inflatable with such a low powered motor in the ocean. You'll get nowhere and fast. Just too much of a hassle when there's a lot of stuff close to shore to enjoy.

Now how long and what part of California are you planning on going to?

[Zippy]

San Diego is convenient for me - I have friends with whom I can stay. It's a 7+ hour drive to anywhere from San Diego to Los Angeles, so anywhere in that area is good. The idea is to do a 2-3 day round trip to get time in the water. I did some hunting at Catalina Island last month, but a trip like that usually ends up 6 days and lots of money - not something I can do more than a couple times a year.

Good to know that the dinghy will be more trouble than it is worth. I'd be happy to swim off the beach on a paddle board. I just need to know some places to go that are legal, and suitable for a beginner.

Thanks.

[Atmosphere]

Can't go wrong with the La Jolla kelp if you're in San Diego. Plus if that motor craps on you you can always row in. Hell, my buddy and use to row out a 14ft aluminum sea king out to the kelp from windnsea. There is a launch site at La Jolla shore that you can apparently drive right up to on the beach. Don't know the details but somebody more knowledgeable should chime in.

Here's a map of the reserve boundary, however you can easily reach the kelp from shore next to it from boomers beach or Children's Pool.
http://www.lajollaguide.com/ljsa/ima...ed1080x589.jpg

[filletofish]

7 hours? what are you driving? a 2 hp car?... i go through there all the time to get to new mexico and tuscon is only 4.5 tops, i go to las cruces and that only takes 8.5 hrs and tuscon is little over half way, the 10-8 split is half way and youre only an hour farther

joking aside, driving without a trailer, anywhere in san diego is good

[Ethan kills]

Go to the colorado river and shoot some stripers. Thats closer

[Zippy]

Originally Posted by Atmosphere

Can't go wrong with the La Jolla kelp if you're in San Diego. Plus if that motor craps on you you can always row in. Hell, my buddy and use to row out a 14ft aluminum sea king out to the kelp from windnsea. There is a launch site at La Jolla shore that you can apparently drive right up to on the beach. Don't know the details but somebody more knowledgeable should chime in.

Here's a map of the reserve boundary, however you can easily reach the kelp from shore next to it from boomers beach or Children's Pool.
http://www.lajollaguide.com/ljsa/ima...ed1080x589.jpg

Thanks! Can I swim to the La Jolla kelp, or will I need the dinghy? Also, I know here is lots of kelp close to shore from Point Loma north to Ocean Beach, ever hunt there?

[el newbo]

Let me know if you come to sd. I'm a beginneer as well and have a few spots I can show yopu that are pretty mellow. I've also got a few spots in mind for the dinghy. Pm me

[Atmosphere]

Originally Posted by Zippy

Thanks! Can I swim to the La Jolla kelp, or will I need the dinghy? Also, I know here is lots of kelp close to shore from Point Loma north to Ocean Beach, ever hunt there?

The kelp straight out from boomers near the reserve boundary you can easily reach by swimming out from shore. However there is kelp further offshore up near the point and down the coast that would make having a inflatible nice.

Open Google maps and turn on satellite mode, you'll see what I mean.