Fishing San Clemente Island

[spike]

Some of the other you will be with take Jeeps to the West side of the Island and do pretty good on Calico from shore, its easier to fish from shore over their because the grade is not as steep. A few of those guys also have row boats and fish Wilsons alot, somthing that is not allowed to anyone else. I ran a trip with the Navy, picked them up at the Pier at SCI we then just stayed in the Bay and fished all the resticted areas. A little bit of chum and it was like the ocean was on fire!!! We also had good fishing around the tanker bouys for Butts and bass at night. Some of the biggest sheepshead I have ever seen.
Bring a 12, 15, and 20 pound stick for fishing around Wilson and other spots of the Island. Swim baits, yoyo jigs, and surface iron (I would use nothing less than 40lb when using the jigs). Torpedo sinkers and various hook sizes are a must for the dropper loop. But also use your resources, their should be mussels around the pilings of th pier, and squid come in the bay at night because of all the lights, there may be some fresh dead to look to use. Mabe also take some lucky joes to make spanish macks and other fin baits. Mabe bring some fresh dead octopus!!
Its a fishy area Wilsons Cove, good luck, your going to have a ball, not many folks ever get a chance at that spot.

[Tunacat217]

I picked up a lot of plastics and irons for out there. I wish I could get my hands on some live chovies/sards, but they are hard to get out there. I have rods coming with 12#, 20#, 25# 35#, 40#, and a troller at 70#. I think that should cover me out there. Hopefully I have destroy the fish out there. I have heard tons of good things about this island and am very excited.

[Tunacat217]

Spike, I actualyplanned on doing a lot of fishing from the shore. I was also told by port ops they take people out to fish everyday so I will be taking advantage of that. Usually people leave on the weekends and that wont be the case with my group so we will literally have the place to ourselves on the weekends. I am taking a larger rig out there for a shark or two just for fun. I also am very good friends with the guys who work on the boats for the Navy SEALs and they said they could get me one of their boats. Free gas, free boat, big fish, awesome island= priceless

[MATTANZA]

when fishing for bass in the kelp, be sure to use at least an 8' rod with 30lb spectra. it's much easier to pulll them out of the kelp. for fishing around the outside of the kelp use a 10lb spinning outfit with small saltwater x-raps. it's an awesome place to fish!