LAB Spottie Shortage?

Is it me or have the spotties nearly disappeared at Alamitos Bay?  I’ve been going weekly during the summer/fall and I don’t remember it being this slow in comparison to the last few summers.  For example, a month ago on Tuesday 9-6 I got skunked. On the 14th I only hooked 2.  Last week only 3, and today (9-29-22) I only got one short hali, and NO spotties!
I like to fish the empty boat slips but I’ve been all over the harbor lately.  Anyone having the same experience?
Oh, here’s a pic of the short (16”) halibut…
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Congrats on the Halibut

There are many condition variances that can shut down the bite of any particular species.
Just a one degree temperature change can do it.

Why don’t you try to fish in different waters besides LAB.
Personally, I’d be looking elsewhere for some kelp beds if the fishing is so slow in the LAB.

Just my two cents.

Good luck out there and I hope that things turn around for you soon!

SP Dan   <“))><

I'm fairly new (as in, started in July 2022), but based off reading past Fishing Reports, seeing guys land 10+ on a seemingly regular basis I'd tend to agree with the OP. But again, I'm new. I've also gone at least once to twice a week (shore-pounding) before I got my tube. The first handful of sessions, the most I'd land would be two, in a 2 hour session or more. This was mainly from shore, hitting the eel grass beds.

I got skunked last weekend out on my tube (while BMF and his brother got 5 or 6 each I believe), got one on a quick shore-pound later that night to wash the skunk smell off of me. The weekend before I only landed one on Saturday, but then on Sunday I landed 5 and the 6th broke me off. Both at the LAB, but different areas.

Again, I don't know much, I'm sure there are a ton of variables at play, but it is frustrating to say the least (but I know that is part of the challenge of fishing) when you throw your more proven lures (and more) that got you a bunch the week before, and then you get nothing the next time out.

My next tube session will be NPH.

I would say:
Learn 5 or 6 different fishing areas; just like the back of your hand.
Fish them hard all year-round and during their different tides and Seasons.
Document and or remember the tiniest of details such as:
watching for jumping fish, for birds diving, trenches and or holes, pay attention to which way the tide is moving (in or out going) and especially pay attention to shady areas next to docks and which way the current is moving, you want to drift into an under the dock.

Sorry for getting so lengthy but just my two cents.
Best of luck to you out there and I hope that you get a PB every time you go out!

SP Dan   <“))><

I like Newport Harbor as well!
On my FT maiden voyage there, I landed a 25 inch legal halibut!
That is my memory that I will have for a lifetime!
I wish you many memories as well!

Good luck on your next session!

SP Dan   <“))><

Mark, I haven't been out more than a handful of times this year to the LAB but agree the bite doesn't seem as consistent as years past. A few here and there but lower numbers overall. Hopefully it doesn't become like that for a long time and is temporary.

I agree the spottie bite has changed. I ha e seen the same thing at Huntington Harbor. They are there but not in the same quantities. Yesterday for me nothing just a Halibut. Maybe something is up or maybe it's just a weird cycle we are in. Hard to say but fingers crossed it just blows over soon.

Most likely water getting cooler. I fished Newport Harbor from the 197os to 2019.

Know where the grass beds are.

Know where the main channel or ledges are.

Know where the snail beds are.

Know where the clam beds are.

The fish move into these areas to hide/feed.

Sometimes a plastic craw in watermelon w/black and red flake works or throw a light brown w/red flake. Pump it and make it swim. Work it real slow and hop it along the bottom.

Snails are dark green, white and orange so pick something that is close in color.

Toss under the docks.

When fishing Newport, I knew where the good areas were and that is where I concentrated my time.

Dead water is dead water, there are areas that will never hold fish.

Make sure your tides and moon are favorable.

Keep at it, it took me several years to get it down.

In the summer months I was catching 20 to 40 a day.

In the cooler months be happy with 3 to 5.

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Today, 10-6-22, was much better.  
Look…

Cool MarkG well done just keep at it you will find them.

Right on, always a confidence booster!