By Paul Lebowitz

When I want to catch big calico bass in coastal waters, I launch the kayak. There’s no better platform for the job. With just a couple of inshore outfits and a handful of simple lures, in summertime even a beginner can consistently catch fish in and around Southern California’s many kelp beds and over the inshore reefs. Catching the big ones, the grizzled beasts of the reefs that weigh 6, 8, or 10 pounds and up is tougher to master.

What makes the kayak such a deadly weapon? Simple, kayaks can go into the rough neighborhoods where bass live, right into the center of the thickest kelp beds and perilously close to surf-tossed rocks. Kayak fishing bass experts agree. Or do they?

“No one should do it! Everyone should stay away. It’s a horrible idea, they’ll never catch any fish,” joked Drew Clark of Plastic Navy. Last year Clark and his crew hosted a popular saltwater bass kayak fishing series, the Plastic Navy Tournament Trail. Clark has watched dozens of new kayak anglers mature into hot bass sticks. Once a novice experiences how easy it is to catch bass after bass from the kayak, he’s hooked on the sport.  

“You’ll land many more fish on a kayak than you would on a powerboat or sportboat and lose less equipment. You can get in the kelp, fish vertical, and if you get a lure stuck, you can run up and pull it out,” said Clark, who fishes calicos using a more aggressive style when he’s on a kayak. He’ll cast right next to the thick weeds and dense rocks. “I don’t worry about hang-ups nearly as much. I like to get inside on top of the kelp to fish little potholes or alleys that other boats can’t get to,” said Clark.

“Basically that’s why I bought my kayak, for the ability to get right into middle of the calicos,” said Dave Easton, last year’s Tournament Trail champion. “I like the simplicity of it (the kayak), the minimal tackle. It’s easier to explore and get closer to rocks.”

Beginners should forget about fishing the rocks until they cut their teeth in the kelp. Anyone who’s fished from a sportboat or private boat will know where to start, along the edges. Toss plastics and other soft baits such as Berkley Gulps, Storm Wildeye Lives, AAs, Big Hammers, FishTraps or MCs in sizes from 4 to 6 inches. Cast them parallel to the kelp line and swim them slowly back in. Experiment with retrieve speeds and let the baits fall to different depths until you find the fish. 

  That’s where Clark likes to work oversized weedless jigs with large trailers - Trix Jetty Worm makes a superior model. “I pitch it within 15 feet of the kayak, thumbing the line as it drops. You get hit on the fall more times than not,” said Clark.

Depending on the depth at which the calicos are holding, Clark uses jigs weighing anywhere from a 1/2, 3/4, or 1.25 ounces. Favorite colors are oranges and browns, chartreuse, and pink.

Crankbaits can be hot too. Cast them along lanes. If your cast goes awry and tangles in the kelp, it’s easy enough to paddle over to retrieve the bait. Easton favors pearl and blue and white Norman shad pattern crankbaits that dive to 6 and 12 feet, although many other hard baits from Berkley or Rapala are as effective. In fact, Rapala Magnum Countdowns have been known to trick a monster bass or two. You know the saying, ‘Big bait, big fish.’

KELP CREATURE – Kelp beds are found along much of the Southern California coastline. The calico bass that make their homes in the weeds are a beginning kayak angler’s bread and butter. Catching the big ones, like this 6 pounder caught by Plastic Navy Tournament Trail champion Dave Easton, is tougher to master. PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS FIERRO

BOILER BIG’UN – Monsters lurk among the rocks. It’s risky going in there where a wave can toss your kayak onto the unforgiving boilers, but some find the prize is worth the gamble.

CALICO QUIVER – Aggressive calico bass will hit anything a largemouth bass will bite and then some. Drew Clark’s calico quiver includes crankbaits, big spinnerbaits, oversized weedless jigs, and that old reliable the plastic swimbait.

Don’t get discouraged if you have a tough time, especially at first. Time on the water cures all fishing ills. The fish don’t bite readily every day, even for the likes of Easton. “There are plenty of days it doesn’t happen. You’ve just got to keep doing it. I learn by screwing up and trying not to make same mistake again. I’m still evolving,” said Easton.

The chase for bruiser bass takes some kayak anglers into harm’s way. “Calicos will be in just a foot of water sometimes. It’s amazing, they’ll be right in the rocks,” said Easton, who over the years has learned to snatch hefty bass right out of their surf-washed haunts. Easton understands the danger of fishing boiler rocks. The risks include loss of gear, serious injury, and worse. He shared some advice for kayak anglers determined to give it a try.

“You can use hard baits or plastics. If the rocks are really weedy you better figure out some weedless deal. You’re in trouble if you snag the bottom,” said Easton. Kayak anglers who catch the bottom and have to move quickly should put their reels in freespool and run for safety. You can always cut the line and your losses later.

Clark works his way in slowly when he fishes boiler rocks. “I start a long way out with crankbaits. Then I go with jigs or swimbaits, and then just jigs. Start with a fast approach and then slow down and bounce the baits right off the rocks,” said Clark.