SAN DIEGO BAY, MISSION BAY, DANA POINT HARBOR - Providing and Serving Live Bait 24/7 - 364 Days Per Year!

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WE supply live bait to san diego bay, mission bay and dana point harbor

Bait Sense

Tank Size

Your bait tank size is suggested to be a minimum of 25-30 gallons of water to support a scoop (approx. 10 lb) of live bait. Don't overfill your bait tank with bait. A smaller amount of live bait is better than a lot of dead bait.

Prep Your Bait Tank

Prior to sailing, start your bait tank at your slip or at the launch ramp to flush out anything that may have gotten into it while not in use and to make sure it works.

Water Flow

Water flow in your bait tank should be just fast enough to allow the bait to swim in control against the flow. If the flow is too fast the bait will swim itself to death. If the flow is too slow the bait will be starved for oxygen. With a little experimentation, you can get the flow adjusted just right.

Water Temperature

Water temperature can also cause problems with live bait. In the summer months as the water warms up it carries less oxygen. When this happens, it is recommended to reduce the amount of bait you put into your bait tank and/ or if it is a short trip slightly increase the water flow. It will live better.

It will benefit you greatly to know your tank capacity so that in the event you need to adjust the amount of bait for change in water temps, you can adjust your bait order accordingly. Packing you bait tank to capacity reduces water flow, which is crucial for the best survival for the bait.

Rough Seas

When the water is rough slow down to keep from beating the bait on the inside of your bait tank.

Dropped Bait

Don't put dropped bait (on deck or receiver) into your bait tank. If it doesn't live it can injure the other good bait when it swims erratically. You can save it for chum (cut or whole)

Dip Net

Use a bait dip net to retrieve bait from your bait tank. Place the net ahead of the bait you want to catch and allow it to swim into the net. If you slash the dip net through the tank you may injure other bait.

Aerators

Aerators work just fine for small number of fish and small volume of water, but for live bait tanks (a lot of fish and limited volume of water) they cannot put enough oxygen into the water to keep bait alive. Circulating water works best.

Lights

For those fishermen who have bait tanks that are dark inside or fisherman who go out at night, a light inside of the bait tank will help to settle down the bait and it will swim more organized.

Check The Bait Report

Before you head out on the water check out our Facebook page for current updates on the bait, we have at each bait barge (San Diego, Mission Bay, and Dana Point). At any given time, we can have a variety of different baits at any location. You do not need a Facebook account to access our page for the bait report.

Our crew try to update our bait reports as frequently as possible with the current available size and type of bait., Knowing what’s available beforehand prevents confusion and disappointment and ensures you’re correctly prepared for your fishing trip. If a current bait report is not posted, please contact our office.

Fill Up Your Bait Tank

Prior to sailing, start your bait tank at your slip or at the launch ramp to flush out anything that may have gotten into it while not in use and to make sure it works.

Fill up your bait tank fully prior to arriving at the bait barge. In order to keep the transaction timely.

Make Sure Your Tank is Functioning Correctly

If your tank is malfunctioning, fix it before you get to the bait barge. We do NOT have tools or crewmembers available to fix your bait tank or space for you to work on it once you arrive.

Make Sure Your Bait Tank is Clear of Obstructions

Fishing rods, tackle, coolers, or any other objects on or around the bait tank should be cleared. A clear area is needed to load bait.

Have Buoys and Dock Lines Out & Ready

It’s critical to have your buoys and lines out and securely tied on your vessel BEFORE you get to the bait barge. As necessary, toss available dock lines to barge crewmembers and they will help bring your boat closer to the barge.

Know the Quantity of Bait You Want to Purchase

Our MINIMUM purchase is a half scoop.

All discretionary of course, for most inshore fishing (local kelp beds or inside the bay) a half scoop is usually enough for the whole day.

Bring Cash

We do NOT accept credit cards, debit cards, or any forms of electronic payment. IOU’s and bartering are also not allowed. Cash is the only payment accepted.

Once You Arrive at the Bait Barge:

Once you’re here there's some things you should do and some things you should avoid doing.

Locate Exactly Where We’re Serving Bait

Usually, the spot where we serve bait will be indicated by a large brightly colored arrow hung from a light post. All bait is served first come first served and may require a line up at times to wait in turn for service.

Approaching and Parking Your Vessel Safely and Efficiently

It's absolutely critical that you approach the barge at an appropriate speed and caution. Please do not cause a wake / drive fast with your boat when you are within 50ft of the barge. Approach the barge carefully and when you are close enough, gently put your vessel in reverse to stop momentum.

Please utilize dock lines and barge cleats to ensure correct positioning of your vessel. DO NOT get out of your vessel at any time. Once safely at the barge, please wait for crewmember assistance and have everyone remain in your boat. Please keep your vessel in neutral until the completion of the transaction. Make sure you are not in gear while getting bait. Also, if your exhaust spits water towards the barge be sure to turn your engines completely off while receiving bait.

Stay in Your Boat!

Please do not disembark your vessel at any time. Doing so is hazardous and you could cause injury to

yourself, damage your boat, our barge, or injure one of our crew members.

Please utilize dock lines and barge cleats to ensure correct positioning of your vessel. It is NEVER ok to be out on the barge facility, nor leave your boat to walk on the bait barge at any time.

Align Your Bait Tank Appropriately to the Barge Attendant

Your bait tank should be straight across from the person scooping your bait to ensure the fastest transfer from our net to your bait tank. If you are unsure if you are in the correct position, please ask our barge crewmembers and they will direct and assist you.

Make Sure Your Bait Tank is Clear of Obstructions/Passengers

Any objects on or around the bait tank should be cleared, including passengers. A clear area is needed to load bait. Curious kids and adults might be inclined to hover around the bait tank to get a better look at what's going on. Although it is exciting seeing live bait being loaded, please keep people clear of the bait tank in order to avoid injury and ensure the bait is loaded as fast as possible. It's critical to transfer bait quickly so that it stays as strong as possible for your fishing trip.

Never Serve Yourself Bait

Please patiently wait to be served in the appropriate area and remain inside your vessel at all times. A barge crewmember will assist you as soon as they are able to. At no time is it acceptable to embark on the bait barge. It is not permissible to serve bait to yourself no matter what the reason.

Our business is a 24/7 operation, and we staff our bait barges year-round accordingly to ensure you have access to live bait whenever you go fishing. Due to the multiple demands of our operation our crewmembers might find themselves required to handle other immediate responsibilities like assisting the unloading of bait boats and other boaters or conducting shift change. These things might prevent them from immediately serving customers bait for very brief periods of time. Rest assured as soon as they are safely available, they will help with the transaction and serve you bait as quickly as possible. If you do happen to find yourself waiting to bait up with no one around to help, please do not under any circumstances help yourself to bait.

If there is no visible activity, and no one is present again please remain in your vessel, honk your horn and if no presence after 10 minutes, please call our office for assistance.

For Everyone's Safety, Please Follow Instructions

Following barge crewmembers' instructions is essential to facilitate a safe and efficient environment for everyone. Our barge members may use loud voices or raised tones to draw your attention to potential hazards. Noisy vessels, animals, or other elements of the environment sometimes make it necessary to address customers with some intensity in order to be heard over noisy environment.

Tight Lines

It is always our mission to provide you with the best service as well as the best live bait

available. We hope these tips improve your next fishing experience! If you have any questions or concerns about your experience, please do not hesitate to contact us.