Help with fishing info in Ventura Harbor.

[The Fishing Queen]

Help with fishing info in Ventura Harbor

I need some advice on fishing in saltwater. I'm on vacation now with my family at Ventura harbor. We own a timeshare property right at the water and I'm thinking about trying some fishing here from the shore. Anyone live in local, or anybody ever fish in Ventura harbor and know what kind bait and what size hook that I can use to produce perch, croaker or other kind of fish here? Honestly, I don't even know what kind of fish there are in this area. What is the best bait to use? Any tips will help and will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I did some fishing with a spinning rod today with some stinky anchovies and caught a few Mackerel and Perch on a size 10 treble hook. I lost two good sized fish on the way in, I don't know what kind fish they were. Here are a few pictures that I took today.

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/TheFishingQueen/69b3e3f8.jpg

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/TheFishingQueen/95dc43e3.jpg

View from our balcony

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/TheFishingQueen/84265ce4.jpg

One of the Mackerel that I caught


http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/TheFishingQueen/02d29a65.jpg

Perch

[bassfishing24/7]

TFQ,the first Fish u caught in the pic is called a jack smelt,thier pretty fun to catch.if ur looking to catch Just perch and croakers i would use gulp camo sand worms carolina rigged.

[olfishergal]

better yet jump on the speed twin over at Ciscos and do some day trip fishing. You will catch mostly perch in the ventura area. Use gulp camo sandworms. I rarely use anything live to fish tht area. Too much boat traffic. Move away from the harbors down the beach and you will find big perch, an occasional calico bass. Mostly jack smelt and perch. Have fun
OFG

[The Fishing Queen]

TFQ,the first Fish u caught in the pic is called a jack smelt,thier pretty fun to catch.if ur looking to catch Just perch and croakers i would use gulp camo sand worms carolina rigged.

Thanks bassfishing24/7! Jack smelt are very fun to catch and I'm surprised how feisty they are. I had a lot of fun these three days just catching them by the harbor. Thanks you for your reply to my question!





better yet jump on the speed twin over at Ciscos and do some day trip fishing. You will catch mostly perch in the ventura area. Use gulp camo sandworms. I rarely use anything live to fish tht area. Too much boat traffic. Move away from the harbors down the beach and you will find big perch, an occasional calico bass. Mostly jack smelt and perch. Have fun
OFG


Olfishergal, I appreciate your time and for helping me out with the info. I would love to take a day trip on a boat, but unfortunately I get sea sick really badly every time I'm on a boat. The harbor area where I am now is mostly for residents, it's really quiet and private. I had caught a lot of jack smelt, perch, croaker and had a blast of fun. I did see someone that caught a calico bass - very interesting looking fish. Thanks for your help and advice! It's geat to know that there are always some nice folks like you on this forum that I can count on if I need info on saltwater fishing. :)

[CraigH]

Hi Fishing Queen,

Can't help with info on Ventura harbor, but wanted to let you know to watch out for the spines on the fins if you catch any sand bass, spotted bay bass, or calico bass. The spines are sharper and tougher than on freshwater fish.

[The Fishing Queen]

Thanks Craig for the advice! I got stung by crappies a lot, they weren't that bad. Once I got stung by a bullhead, and that hurt a lot, my hand was numb for a while. I bet the saltwater bass are worse. I'll be careful if I get one.