Oceanside: located between San Diego and Los Angeles is often overlooked by anglers but these waters have produced some of and including the largest bass that have been weighed in any SWBA event.
'THE FORGOTTEN COASTLINE'
............... You take an 8 year old, a 7 year old, a 10 year old, a Mom who put up with WAY more than most and a Dad who could build his own boats, triangulate spots and fish as well as any I've ever known. Send them on a weekend vacation to a town where U.S. Marines, Pawn Shops and special ladies reside and you've got the picture of just where my brother Steve (Team Reef Eye) and myself are coming from.
....In the early 1950's the State of California began building the freeway system we enjoy today. Towns like Oceanside , which were nothing more than pit stops on the way to San Diego and Los Angeles , recognized that there was an opportunity and many jumped on the band wagon hoping to become full blown vacation destinations. Being the West Coast hub for U.S. Marine training the City of Oceanside put together a massive plan (for that time anyway) that included advertising along the new routes that included a rather famous billboard mentioned by Dave Fong two years ago. “TAN YOUR HIDE IN OCEANSIDE” became the anthem that has led Oceanside throughout the years. This is where it all started for our family and it hasn't slowed much over the years.
Freeway proposal: In the early 1950's the State of California began building the freeway system, which resulted in easier access to untapped fishing grounds.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT
....One of the truly brilliant ideas that came out of this community rebuild was the water ski area that occupied the area where today's harbor is located. The harbor was a part of the original plan but the water ski park and campground, located where the parking lot is today, was first priority since it was pretty much existing and cheaper than a new harbor. Within a year it was obvious that the natural tidal flow was not enough to prevent pollution within the ski area and the move to create the harbor we see today was made. As with any major reconstruction there were issues here also. The original jetty system didn't take into account the massive south swells that arrives here in late July through October. Portions of the jetty were ripped out and had to be rebuilt. Have to say here that some of my favorite memories in surfing North Jetty revolve around 10' south swells slamming into the jetty and creating the most perfect lefts that sent you right into the middle of the harbor. Dropping in with a 25 ft. sailboat on your tail was interesting to say the least. Citations were issued but I seriously doubt that anyone ever paid the fines. I know for a fact the two I received were thrown out on the way home and forgotten. (Sure hope the statute of limitations has run out by now). Over the years the expansion of the jetty system has been fine tuned and Oceanside has become one of the true gems along our coast.
SPORT FISHING
....In the late 50's early 60' there was a rather large group of commercial fishermen that used the harbor. Most were small individual boat operations that were tight lipped about the various spots they used. When the harbor was completed a small group of party type boats created the first “landing” which was run out of a mere shack in the old parking lot.
....Spots like the Barn which were fished rarely due to the long runs from Long Beach and Newport ( Dana Point was just a dream) were now accessible along with the kelp beds south of the harbor. Yellowtail, White Sea Bass, Black Sea Bass, Striped Marlin, massive schools of Bonito and Barracuda were now within a stones throw and the crowds were expected to flock to the “Forgotten Coastline”. To the surprise of most, these crowds were slow to come for a number of reasons. Large numbers of Marine recruits, 52 pawn shops, 37 bars, 18 fortune tellers, and 28 dry cleaners along with a large number of professional ladies of the night didn't bode well for the families that were being targeted and it took years before the goal of becoming a vacation destination came to be. What most people looked at as being a negative was nothing short of paradise to this 8 year old boy and it has remained just that over the years.
....As I said earlier many of the boats from Long Beach , Newport and San Diego from time to time would make the run to the Oceanside area. The spots we fish now were virgin. What we call WFO was pretty much the norm. We still see the boats from Long Beach and Newport making the run down the line during the yearly sand bass migration to the Clam Beds but not near as often as in years past. The Black Sea Bass are now protected, as it should be, but bottom line is that Oceanside and the “Forgotten Coastline” is second to none in my book.
....Oceanside has grown and grown for the better. They welcome families yet still accommodate the U.S. Marine Corp that plays a huge part in protecting our way of life. It's a community that knows how to enjoy life and enjoy life to the fullest.
