Stretching from Point Conception southward to the Mexican border with approximately 250 miles of coastline, Southern California is often equated with surfing culture. But it was ocean angling that preceded surfing as the top pursuit, attracting traveling anglers to this region of the Pacific. In fact, Southern California is the birthplace of big-game sportfishing, thanks to legendary anglers such as Charles Frederick Holder, founder of the iconic Tuna Club of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island. Established in 1898, it is the oldest fishing club in the United States.
Steeped in history, SoCal’s sportfishery thrives today, particularly in late spring, summer and fall, when ocean temperatures climb and game species converge to gorge on schools of anchovies, shoals of red crabs, flying fish, skittering sauries and schools of squid.
1. San Diego
While fishing around Catalina Island remains popular (more on this later), today San Diego ranks as the top SoCal destination for traveling anglers. Here, at places like Fisherman’s Landing on San Diego Bay or Seaforth Sportfishing on nearby Mission Bay, you can hop aboard any number of passenger fishing boats (known by the locals as “sporties”) to fish for a 1/2-day, 3/4-day, full-day or even multiple days. Long-range trips into Mexican waters can extend to 10 days or more.
These landings also play host to several private sportfishing charter boat operations, including one of our favorites—Pinnacle Sportfishing—and Capt. Duane “Diego” Mellor, who was voted Charter Captain of the Year in 2019 by Sport Fishing. Our good friend and accomplished charter guide, Capt. Brandon Nelson and his Lucky B Sportfishing center console is also located here.
The landings offer superb waterfront dining. If you like seafood and a deli vibe, try Point Loma Seafoods near H&M Landing on San Diego Bay. I always order the crab cake sandwich or plate. One of our favorite places to stay is the Kona Kai San Diego Resort on Shelter Island, which has comfortable and spacious rooms, a marina, a pool and plenty of places to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner.
What can you catch in SoCal ocean waters? The unquestioned headliner of offshore fishing is Pacific bluefin tuna. These have exploded in numbers off this coast over the past decade, and the fish have grown in size, as well, with some in the 200- to 300-pound range. Schools of yellowfin tuna from 15 to 50 pounds frequently invade SoCal waters in late summer and early fall when ocean temperatures reach their peak. Boating anglers troll for yellowfin, and once they hook a fish, toss out live chum such as sardines to bring the school to the boat. Mahi are seasonal visitors to SoCal offshore waters in summer. Ranging from necktie-size to 30 pounds or more, they like to hang out under floating patches of kelp.
2. Los Angeles/Long Beach
About 90 minutes up the coast from San Diego is the vast Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor. Protected by the 8.4-mile-long Federal Breakwater, LA/Long Beach Harbor is home to the largest shipping port in the US. There are abundant sportfishing opportunities, with scores of passenger and private charters plying the coast and offshore islands on 1/2-, 3/4- and full-day trips.
To sample the fishing, book a trip on a sportie such as Native Sun at 22nd Street Landing. If you prefer private six-person charters, two of our favorites are the Options out of Pierpoint Landing and the Dreamer that docks at Long Beach Sportfishing.
Once you return from fishing, dine amid the many landings, channels and marinas of LA/Long Beach Harbor. One of our favorites is the 22nd Street Seafood Grill and Bar overlooking the rustic landing in an area of the upper harbor known as San Pedro. In the middle harbor is the picturesque Shoreline Village, adjacent to Pierpoint Landing. We like to dine at Parker’s Lighthouse, with a great view of the historic Queen Mary.
This harbor waterfront area abounds with accommodations, but one of the most convenient for traveling anglers is the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, across the street from Shoreline Village and next to the Long Beach Convention Center, the Long Beach Pike and Pine Avenue attractions and eateries.
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3. Santa Catalina Island
Situated some 30 miles from Long Beach, the town of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island offers natural beauty, secure moorings, and a great place to relax, sightsee and launch your island angling adventure. Between fishing forays, Avalon offers quaint shops, cafes and restaurants. One of our favorites is Bluewater Grill, which has a magnificent view of the sweeping harbor and the historic casino.
Many charter boats fish Catalina waters, but if you want to go ashore and tour Avalon, take one of the Catalina Express ferries from mainland ports such as San Pedro, Long Beach or Dana Point Harbor. Want to spend a few days and nights? For a genuine Avalon experience, stay at the moderately upscale Hotel Atwater, originally built under the direction of William Wrigley Jr. after he purchased the Catalina Island Company more than a century ago. It opened in 1920.
A few sportfishing charter companies call Avalon home. One of the best known is Afishinados Charters. You can book a trip aboard its 40-foot sportfisher by the hour, so you can fish as little or as long as your budget permits in pursuit of calico bass, halibut, bonito, rockfish Pacific barracuda, California yellowtail and white seabass. Looking for a smaller charter boat? Check out Catalina Coastal Tours and Fishing, also based in Avalon.
An island fishing favorite is white seabass. These croakers can reach 70 pounds or more and haunt kelp beds and shallow beaches off Catalina, San Clemente and Santa Barbara islands, among others. White seabass season coincides with the SoCal run of opalescent squid, a mass migration lasting roughly from March to June. White seabass gobble them up like candy. California yellowtail ranging from 5 to 25 pounds also hang out offshore under floating patches of kelp and amid the rocky shores and kelp beds of SoCal’s offshore islands and coastal areas.
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What to Pack: Sunny California? Well, much of the time the ocean sports chilly gray marine clouds and fog. So prepare to layer up with a hooded sweatshirt, fleece-lined jacket, warm pants, a hat and rubber deck boots. You can de-layer and put on sunglasses in the afternoon when the clouds burn off, but then the ocean breezes often come up, so keep that jacket handy.
Abundant Opportunities: While big game species represent the big draw for traveling anglers, there are lots of inshore and bottomfish to pursue in SoCal waters, including calico bass, barred sand bass, rockfish, lingcod, California halibut, sheephead, Pacific barracuda and more.
