San Diego Bay - Inshore | California Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions

The water in the back bay is 73 degrees. Move toward the front of the bay for better fishing. Use flies with orange and pink in them to in imitate shrimp. Use small to medium bait fish patterns with a faster strip. in the mid column if birds are working Try the shallower water, less that 8 feet, with a floating line and shrimp type fly for the bonefish. Continue to fish the deeper flats off the 34 and 38 red bouys. Work the water that is 10-15' deep with a 7 weight and 350 grain line. Bigger fish and some Bonefish in the area. Try a #2 or 1/0 Clouser in Olive/White, Chartreuse/White or black/whIite.

Fishing Report Last Updated:

9 / 17 / 2018

Choose A Different River Here

Crowley Lake
East Walker River
Fall River
Hat Creek
Hot Creek
Klamath River, Below Iron Gate Reservoir
Klamath River, Lower
Lake Henshaw
Lake Hodges
McCloud River
Mission Bay - Inshore
Pit River
Owens River
Sacramento River
Sacramento River, Upper
San Diego Bay, Offshore
Trinity River
Yuba River

Fishing Conditions

Fly Fishing San Diego Bay - Inshore is currently Excellent

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby:
Bowman Bluewater Guides and Outfitters

Fishing conditions: Flat tides until the weekend. Good weather all week. Back bay water temperature in the 80s so start moving toward the front of the bay. Be sure to work the flies with the current when it is slower. Work your flies faster. Small bait fish around. Watch for working birds and breaking bait in the back bay.

Inshore temperature: 77 Degrees F

Offshore temperature: 59 Degrees F

Type of bait fish are feeding on: More bait fish in the back bay with birds beginning to work. Look for the working terns around the Amphibious Base and along the beach south of the Base.

Fish species: Spotted Bay Bass, Croaker, Corvina, Bonefish, Halibut.

Fishing season: Year Round

Nearest airport: San Diego International Airport

Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader

Recommended fly fishing tippet: 6 Lb. Tippet

Best fly fishing rod: 9' 6 Weight Fly Rod

Best floating fly line: Saltwater All-Rounder WF Fly Line

Best sinking fly line: Depth Charge Full Sink Fly Line

Fly Name:	Fly Color:	Fly Size(s):

Clouser	Orange/Tan	2-6
Clouser	Chartreuse/White	2-6
Ghost Whisperer	Orange/White	2-6
Clouser	Olive/Orange	2-4

San Diego Inshore Description

San Diego Bay is a fabulous fishery. The Bay is large and divided into two sections by the Coronado Bay Bridge. The Back Bay is quiter with much less boat traffic and shallower waters throughout. The Front Bay has a great deal more boat traffic and deeper channels. The entire Bay supports over 20 different species that can be caught on the fly. The dominant fish is the Spotted Bay Bass which can be caught ...

Techniques & Tips

Use Intermediate or floating line in water less than 10 feet deep with short/quick strips followed by a pause. Deeper water 8 feet and deeper use a 250-300 grain shooting head with the same strip. Deeper channels, go to 7 weight rod with a 350-400 grain shooting head. Sparse flies with long crazy legs are working well.

7-Day Forecast

Flat tides until the weekend. Good weather all week. Back bay water temperature in the 80s so start moving toward the front of the bay. Be sure to work the flies with the current when it is slower. Work your flies faster. Small bait fish around. Watch for working birds and breaking bait in the back bay.