Fishing Q&A

What are some good places to go deep sea fishing in Southern California?

I'd like to go fishing with a few family members and we live in Southern California. Where are some good places for us to go? Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Southern CA is a big area. If in Los Angeles the local sport boat in Marina Del Rey can be fun. Easy 1/2 and 3/4 day trips. They even have rental rods for Newbies. Sand Bass and Barracuda or maybe a good California Halibut. Or go to 22nd St. Landing in the San Pedro area for more advanced fishing trips that run out to Catalina for better quality game fish. Think of Yellowtail or White Seabass that rip the line off and wrap you on the rocks if you do not turn their head fast enough. Use 20 or 30 # line and good tackle.
2. There are landings from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Most of them run 1/2 day (5-6 hour trips), and 3/4 day (7-9 hour trips). There are also all-day (10-12 hour trips), overnight trips, and even multi-day trips. In general, if you're just starting out, half or 3/4 day is the way to go. The longer trips usually result in more or bigger fish, however. The landings all have rental tackle and licenses available, and most of the boats serve food and drinks. This time of year, the fishing is mostly for bottom fish (rockfish, whitefish, sculpin, etc.) -- great eating, but not that exciting to catch. Anyway, here's a link with contact info for landings: http://www.sportfishingreport.com/pages/landings.php (It's all of California, scroll down to find the ones in your area.) I've fished out of 15 or 20 of them over the years, and done fine at most of them. Pick one which is close to where you are, call to make reservations (this time of year, some places just don't get enough customers to run boats), and get there early. Here's a link with daily catch counts: http://www.976tuna.com/e107_plugins/landing/wrapup.php (There's contact info here, too, but only for the landings that sent boats out yesterday).
3. Not to sure if you be referrin' to the family fishin' on your own, or with a Charter Boat service? If it be the latter than link below will show you services from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara & Ventura, L.A. County, Orange County down to San Deigo. Also, each site has daily counts/fish reports, along with schedules (boat departure etc.) and prices. Check out Maps & GPS (column on right side of page), for different locations, that one could possibly fish on their own ie., from shore ;) ;). Hope, that this helps ya' out ;)... http://fishingnetwork.net/socal/ocean.htm
4. I took a charter out by Long beach harbor but my dads done well going out to Dana Point. It costs quite a bit to go fishing and your packed in like sardines.