During the break, my son and I rented a small boat and cruised around Newport Bay trying for Calico.  We only had two baits to chose from- shrimp and squid.  I will say the shrimp caught double the fish vs. squid.  Needless to say, we found that these bass were a lot easier to catch than LMB.  I think we fished for 4 hours and caught about 10 fish.  Only bummer was I had one of me cheaper rods resting on the side of the boat and something huge took it out of the boat and under water while I was trying to untangle my son's line.  Lesson learned.  I want to try it again with some small plastics and baitcasters, but was wondering what works best?  I hear a lot about using a Big Hammer and Jig head.

 

Thanks!

I've fished Newport Harbor a ton times, from a float tube. Never used "bait" only Big Hammer 3" lures on a 1/2 oz jig head, on 8 or 10 lb line..FWIW, I mostly targeted Spotties, but have my share of checkers ( Calico's). Look for ambush spots, salt bass are just like freshwater bass. It's been some years since I've fished there, and can't recall the colors of big hammers I used, but the redish color, and colors that could imitate a crab will work good. Also, straight braid will work if your so inclined, I always used Yozuri hybrid line. Also, incoming or high tide is the best times, low tide always kinda sucked.   

On 1/2/2020 at 1:06 PM, skekoam said:

During the break, my son and I rented a small boat and cruised around Newport Bay trying for Calico.  We only had two baits to chose from- shrimp and squid.  I will say the shrimp caught double the fish vs. squid.  Needless to say, we found that these bass were a lot easier to catch than LMB.  I think we fished for 4 hours and caught about 10 fish.  Only bummer was I had one of me cheaper rods resting on the side of the boat and something huge took it out of the boat and under water while I was trying to untangle my son's line.  Lesson learned.  I want to try it again with some small plastics and baitcasters, but was wondering what works best?  I hear a lot about using a Big Hammer and Jig head.

 

Thanks!

 

 

My go-to for Calico Bass are 5" swimbaits. However, I target them in the ocean in the Kelp Beds. With that being said, when I'm fishing the bays I also used swimbaits, they are just 3" models for Spotted Bay Bass. I make my own plastics and usually use either a 1/4 oz or 3/8ths oz lead head. My favorite colors are greens and browns, although any color will have its time and place. Spotted Bay Bass, Barred Sand Bass and Calico (Kelp) Bass all eat plastic swimbaits willingly. Hammer 4 also had some good info as well. Cheers!