[Bill McIntyre]

Its hard to generalize, but my advice would be to dive to 15 to 20 feet in the kelp, no matter how deep the water is, and either swim very very slowly at your neutral depth or hold on to a piece of kelp just above your neutral depth and remain motionless while you wait for them to swim by.

You are definitely in one of the hot spots. La Jolla kelp is very good in the spring, and I've heard of nice fish showing in the last week.

If you are new at it, what you should realize is that your problems have just begun after you shoot one. The bottom at La Jolla kelp can be 60 feet and deeper, and unless you stone the fish or short-line it very firmly, it will go wrap up in kelp on the bottom. Unless you are an exceptional diver, it can be very dangerous to be down at those depths, perhaps in limited visibility, trying to untangle line and cut kelp. If you feel at all challenged, you should not attempt it without a buddy who is capable of that depth watching you and backing you up. I dive from my boat, and my bailout option is to give up and get a pony bottle from the boat rather than risk my life of its too threatening. Your friends may call you a pussy, and you should call them your former friends for valuing a fish more than your life. Of course if you are beach diving, getting a scuba tank from the boat is not an option.

I could go on and on about advice for beginners shooting white sea bass, but I better stop here and throw the ball back in your court. I'll be glad to help answer any question that I can.