Ep. 113: Matt Florentino on Spinners, Kayak Tactics & Fishing Your Lunch Break

Guest: Matt Florentino (Salty Crew) | Hosts: Daniel Dahlin ([FISH]rx), El Charly, Luke Dean (Bait Slingers / Artemis Charters)

Season 3 kicked off with episode 113, recorded live on January 6, 2026, with Matt Florentino breaking down why spinner baits have been quietly tearing up SoCal harbors — and why most people stopped throwing them. Matt also covered kayak fishing tactics for the wall and back bays, plus the lunch break fishing mindset that keeps him sharp year-round.

In This Episode

• Spinner baits for SoCal inshore — why they’ve been effective and how to fish them heavy enough to stay in the strike zone
• Belly-weighted vs. head-heavy spinner bait designs and what the difference means in our water
• Kayak tactics at the wall — reading current, drift strategy, and how to stay in position on a paddle-only setup
• Why rod length matters less than people think — making the case for 7’6″ and shorter in tight situations
• Paddle tail trimming trick: cutting down a large paddle tail for a skirted jig to get that big slow thump
• 8″ RX Slug preview — first look on the show, comparing profile to the 6″
• CCA California update — Matt joins the state board, San Diego Bay Classic coming May 9th
• Spotty Bowl kicking off — how to measure spotted bay bass properly and why covering the eye is the number one mistake

Beyond the Rod & Reel on Spinner Baits

One of the better technique discussions in this episode came out of a simple question about what Matt throws for spotties. His answer was almost entirely spinner baits and a Ned rig — nothing exotic — but the reasoning was sharp. He traced it back to SWBA tournament history, pointing out that back in 2010, everyone fishing those events could hear the boats from a distance because the spinner blade noise was constant. The fish had seen everything else. Now, a new generation of anglers is rediscovering them and the fish are reacting the same way they always did.

The kayak section was equally practical. Matt’s advice for fishing the wall on a paddle kayak came down to one thing: figure out which way the current and wind are pushing you, then use that drift instead of fighting it. Get in position, make one good cast, reposition. “If you’re going to a brand new spot, number one, try to get a leash,” he said, because the moment you hook up and the paddle goes one way, you’re in trouble. Safety-first advice that’s easy to skip over until it matters.

Watch the full episode on the Time On The Water YouTube channel. New episodes every Tuesday at 6 PM.