Whether it’s the national parks, its many rivers, or the breathtaking Pacific coast, the “Golden State” features a whole range of natural wonders. But for anglers willing to leave all of that behind and venture into the deep waters, there’s so much more to discover. Deep sea fishing in California is, simply put, out of this world. It’s where you’ll get your chance to experience an adventure that few other destinations can match up to.
There are a few different things that make offshore fishing in California so good. First of all, the deep waters lie fairly close to the state’s shores. This means you’ll often start seeing pelagic and big demersal fish just beyond the 20-mile range. There are also several islands off the coast that offer dropoffs that are just perfect for fishing. Lastly, there’s the option of crossing into Mexican waters and exploring the bountiful waters of Baja California.
If you’d like to know more about the angling secrets these waters hide, stick with us. We’ll delve into the species you can catch while deep sea fishing in California, as well as where and how to go about it. After that, we’ll cover a few basic fishing regulations. You’ll also get some information on what to bring if you’re planning on extending your trip to Mexican waters. When you’re ready, read on!
Top Deep Sea Fishing Targets in California
From delicious bottom fish to some of the most challenging pelagic fish you can find, California has it all. There’s a whole, lengthy smorgasbord of species out there for the picking, making anglers return to these waters time and time again. Let’s take a look at some of the species you can come across out there in the depths…
Yellowtail
There’s hardly a better species to start off the list with than the local favorite, Yellowtail. Blessed with strength and toughness, these fish will put up an intense battle for any angler lucky enough to hook them. And when you add on the fact that they taste great, it’s easy to see why Yellowtails are so popular.
You can fish for Yellowtail all along Southern California. You’ll typically find them hiding near various underwater structure, waiting for some food – or your bait – to pass by. While you can catch small Yellowtail even from piers, the big ones lurk farther off the coast. So if you’re looking to wrestle a giant, get ready for a journey to one of the Catalina, San Clemente, or even Coronado Islands.
Sharks
Now, if you’re searching for your own, personal Jaws experience, you’re more than likely to find it while deep sea fishing in California. These waters serve as hunting grounds for several apex predators. These include Thresher, Tope, Blue, as well as the fearsome Mako Shark.
Out of these, Mako Sharks have the most notorious reputation among anglers. They fight with so much aggression that it can become downright dangerous bringing them onto the boat. But there’s one other reason you should practice catch and release when fishing for Mako Shark. They’re an endangered species that matures very slowly, so each successful release helps preserve these amazing fish.
Naturally, the other Shark species we named are all terrific fighters as well. Whether you end up hooking into a Blue, Thresher, or Tope, each will give you a proper taste of what it’s like to wrestle a true heavyweight.
Tuna
As you make your journey away from the Californian shores, you’ll get the opportunity to fish for a few different types of Tuna, too. They range from the smaller Albacore and Skipjack to the bigger Yellowfin and giant Bluefin Tuna.
Among these, giant Bluefin Tuna are the most sought-after species. These fish present one of the toughest challenges an offshore angler can encounter. They can grow to massive sizes and are armed with unmatched endurance. Bluefin will make your muscles burn with effort as you struggle to reel them in. But once you finally do so, it’ll be an achievement to take pride in forever.
Truth be told, no matter which Tuna species you hook into, you’ll be in for a thrilling battle. This especially applies to big Yellowfin, which are truly a blast to scrap with. Also, don’t forget all Tuna species are thoroughly delicious, making it just that much more rewarding to reel them in.
Marlin
To round out the gamefish assembly, there are a couple of species of Marlin that also migrate along this part of the Pacific. If you’re willing to venture offshore, you’ll have a shot at big Blue and beautiful Striped Marlin.
Both of these Billfish rank highly in terms of how difficult they are to catch. To begin with, Marlin are a fairly rare sight, even if you’re on the water a lot. They’re also incredibly tough to reel in, as they’re strong, durable, and stunningly acrobatic. Of course, this just makes the fight itself so much more exciting. Just imagine seeing a fish that weighs several hundred pounds leap into the air with its entire length. It’s a spectacle like no other!
And More…
But that’s not all you can catch. The waters off the coast of California are home to a whole host of reef and bottom fish. These include Barracuda, California Sheephead, Lingcod, big Calico Bass, White Sea Bass, and Halibut. You’ll also get to fish for Rockfish, which is an umbrella term covering up to 100 different species you’ll find hiding along the ocean floor.
There are a few more pelagic fish you’ll come across as well. Colorful Dorado (Mahi Mahi) and speedy Wahoo are both seasonal visitors you can hook into while deep sea fishing in California. Bonito are also worth mentioning because they’re both fun to catch and will make for a great meal. As you can probably tell by now, you’ll be pretty much spoilt for choice.
How to Go Deep Sea Fishing in California
You’ll need to get a few things sorted before you’re ready to start fishing, though! You’ll need a boat to take you to all the offshore hotspots, as well as equipment to reel in that prized catch. For most anglers, the easiest way to go about this is to hop on a deep sea fishing charter in California. This way, your captain will provide you with everything you need.
Once you’ve found a suitable boat, it’ll be time to consider what’s biting, what you want to catch, and how you want to do it. While your captain will be able to assist you with that, let’s go over a couple of basic techniques you could use when you’re on the water.
Trolling
In California, trolling is the preferred method of fishing when you’re targeting pelagics. It’s the technique you’ll use for anything from school-sized Albacore and Mahi Mahi to large Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna, as well as Marlin. Besides these, you’ll sometimes troll for Yellowtail when they’re near the surface or slow-troll for Halibut over sandy flats.
The beautiful thing about trolling is that it’s simple enough that even beginners can try it out. If you’re fishing aboard a charter, your captain will set up the trolling spread and bait all the hooks. At that point, all that’s left for you is to wait for the bite and fight the fish. Of course, if you’re a beginner, it’s wise to practice on some smaller fish before going for the big ones.
Bottom Fishing
Trolling is efficient, sure, but if the fish are lurking down on the seafloor or hiding around underwater structure, you’ll need to put your bait right in their faces. That’s where bottom fishing comes in! It’s a fairly easy way to reel in your catch. You just need to seek out a prospective spot, or find the fish with your sonar, and lower your bait vertically.
Do this in California and you’ll get to put all kinds of deep dwellers in your cooler. These include Halibut, White Sea Bass, Lingcod, as well as all the different types of Rockfish. They might not look pretty, but the species you’ll find on the bottom are among the tastiest ones out there. And there’s typically no downtime when it comes to bottom fishing.
When to Go Deep Sea Fishing in California
No matter when you decide to go fishing in California, there’ll be fish to reel in. With the favorable climate and abundance of fish these waters hold, there’s action all year round. However, the species you’ll get to catch do change over the course of each season.
In California, the prime time to go deep sea fishing is during summer. It’s when many pelagics, including Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna, make their way along the Golden State shores and come close enough to be reachable by boat. Summer is also when you’ll get your best shot at reeling in some Yellowtail, Dorado, and Marlin.
This being said, there’s plenty of fish to catch even during other times of the year. You’ll usually see Tuna in the area all the way through October. During winter, and until the waters warm up again in the spring, you’ll switch focus to bottom fishing for all kinds of delicious fish. And there’s always the option of chumming for some Sharks.
Where to Go Deep Sea Fishing in California
The deep sea fishing hotspots are usually concentrated around the various islands you’ll find off the coast of California. Your charter captain will help you decide where to go based on what you want to catch. However, let’s take a look at a few areas you could explore…
- Catalina Island: If you’re starting your adventure from Los Angeles, Long Beach, or Huntington Beach, you’ll only be around 20 miles away from the prolific Catalina Island. Whether it’s Yellowtail, Calico Bass, White Sea Bass, or even the likes of Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna you want, you’ll have a great shot at catching all of these here.
- San Clemente Island: Lying just about 55 miles off the coast of Long Beach and around 70 miles from San Diego, San Clemente Island is another destination that offers amazing offshore fishing. Besides the species mentioned in the previous entry, you’ll also have the chance to reel in Marlin around San Clemente.
- Coronado Islands: Venture out into Mexican waters! The Coronado Islands are only about 20 miles offshore from San Diego and they feature some truly amazing fishing. The waters around the islands are brimming with Yellowtail. However, they also frequently attract Dorado, Bonito, and all kinds of Tuna.
- The Farallon Islands: If you find yourself in San Francisco, the islands we mentioned so far will be out of your reach. Instead, head offshore towards the Farallon Islands for some world-class Lingcod and Rockfish action. While the waters around the islands are designated as a reserve, there are plenty of spots along the way where you can fish.
Anything else?
Before you’re ready to explore the deep seas, you’ll need to get your California fishing license. While this applies to most anglers aged 16 and older, there are a few exceptions you can read about in our dedicated California Fishing License guide. Besides that, it’s a good idea to visit the CDFW website and read up on fish regulations, size, and bag limits. This way, you’ll know which species you’ll be able to keep.
On the other hand, things work a bit differently if you intend on fishing around the Coronado Islands in Mexico. First of all, you’ll have to bring your passport. Then, you’ll need to obtain a Mexican fishing license, an FMM Visa, and a Biosphere Bracelet. You can get more information regarding this on the Sportfishing Association of California website.
California: The Final Deep Sea Fishing Frontier
By now, we hope you have an idea of just how amazing the Californian offshore grounds are. As long as you can make the journey, you’ll find a mixed bag of species that’ll satisfy both beginner anglers and the most-seasoned pros. Whether you’re searching for your next pelagic trophy or to secure a few future dinners, these bountiful waters will meet and often exceed your expectations.
I you want to find out more about fishing in California, visit our blog.
Have you ever been deep sea fishing in California? What’s your favorite species? Hit the comments below and let us know!
