By Paul Lebowitz

Winter started early in 2005 for the kayak anglers who patrol San Diego’s La Jolla kelp beds, but not one complained. They were too busy reeling in 20, 30, and 40-pound yellowtail to even think of grumbling. That torrid mid-December bite on homeguard yellows binging on squid sizzled a lot hotter than normal, but the caliber of the fish wasn’t anything unusual. Winter typically gives up the biggest yellowtail of the year to kayak anglers willing to grind out the off-season conditions.

A January or February La Jolla yellowtail hunt is no sure thing. In fact, it is a low percentage deal. Yet, it is the best bet going for cold-season yellowtail. That’s usually enough to lure kayak anglers from throughout the Southland. No special toughness is required get into these fish, just mental discipline and a little common sense preparation. Let’s hit that first.

Between storms systems, wintertime La Jolla can be calm as a lake. The skies are sunny more often than not, and days often pleasantly warm. Don’t be fooled by the placid conditions. This isn’t the time to go out in board shorts and a t-shirt. The water temperature is down in the fifties, cold enough to be a hazard. Take a cue from the surfers in the line-up at the Shores and gear up in a wetsuit and booties. Alternatively, wear paddle pants and a splash top or jacket. Always dress to survive an unplanned swim.

Now that we have the safety note out of the way, it’s time to talk about tenacity. Unlike the summer and fall when the action is focused on the surface, the big yellows of winter usually swim deep. That great summer standard, a live mackerel, will still produce as long as it’s sent towards the bottom on a dropper loop or sliding sinker rig. Of course, bait can be tough to find in the cooler winter water, so iron jigs are a mainstay of the off-season La Jolla angler.

Fishing the heavy iron, also known as the deep yo-yo, is a monotonous game.

Let the jig flutter to the bottom, burn it back towards the surface about as fast as you can turn the reel handle, and repeat. A couple hours of this will have your arm muscles screaming for mercy. That next drop could be the one, so keep going.

Mix things up to help stave off boredom. Try giving the iron a few bumps at the bottom between bouts of furious cranking, and vary how high in the water column you reel the iron before dropping it back down. When the rod finally loads up with the weight of a fish, it will have been worth the toil.    

Here are a few thoughts on equipment. A high speed reel is a must. You want a 5 to 1 or better retrieve ratio. Consider scaling up from the kayak-usual 20-pound test; iron fish aren’t line shy. For lures, the Tady 4/0 and Salas 6X and slightly smaller 6X Jr irons in blue/white, scrambled egg, and white are time-tested producers.

Don’t overlook the slimmer Megabait Live Jig, particularly the Kudako model with the wide gap Siwash hook.

Unless you feel lucky, don’t yo-yo just anywhere. Watch your fishfinder for good bottom structure or fish marks. Where should you start? Take a cue from long-time La Jolla kayak fishing guide Jim Sammons, and focus your efforts between the northern edge of the La Jolla kelp and the southern side of the La Jolla submarine canyon in 100 to 200 feet of water. If you are fishing without the benefit of electronics, you aren’t out of the game. Plenty of likely structure spots are conveniently marked by lobster trap buoys.

Tired of pumping iron? Then try the “deadstick” method. Lace a couple of squid or even a fin bait onto your iron and then drop it to the bottom. Reel in a turn or two so it won’t snag, then set the rod under your leg or in a holder. Leave the reel in gear, but be double sure the drag is set loose, with just enough pressure to hook the fish. Then relax and let the swell work the bait for you.

Speaking of bait, the squid that floated up from the depths of La Jolla Canyon and set off December’s wide-open yellowtail bite could return. At the time, anglers lucky enough to hook a few squid on their Sabiki bait catcher rigs were practically guaranteed a bite.

Improve your chances of collecting live squid by attaching a squid jig or two to the bottom of your bait catcher, and get on the water early. Braving an hour of chilly La Jolla darkness might earn you your own homeguard bruiser.

DECEMBER TREAT - La Jolla kayak anglers got a head start on winter-time yellowtail in 2005. A mid-December squid float fired up the homeguards like this one caught by Trevor Blann. PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS FIERRO

PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS FIERRO

PHOTO COURTESY ANDREW ALLEN

PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS FIERRO

PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS FIERRO