Long Beach Fishing: Your Complete Guide to LA's Saltwater Playground

Southern California's Sportfishing Capital

Long Beach is the hub of the Southern California sport fishing fleet. Home to multiple landing operations and dozens of charter boats, the port offers daily trips targeting everything from local calico bass and halibut to offshore yellowtail and bluefin tuna. The breakwater that protects the harbor creates a unique inner fishery, while the offshore oil platforms and nearby Catalina Island provide structure and habitat that support an impressive range of species.

Long Beach's location at the center of the Southern California Bight puts it within reach of virtually every gamefish that visits California waters. The fleet ranges from half-day boats fishing inside the breakwater to long-range vessels that run overnight to the offshore banks and islands. Whatever your skill level or target species, Long Beach has a trip for you.

Seasonal Fishing Calendar

Spring (March through May)

Spring warms the water and wakes up the inshore fishery. Calico bass become active around the breakwater rocks, oil platforms, and kelp beds from Palos Verdes to Huntington Beach. Halibut move onto the sandy flats inside and outside the harbor, with the sandy bottom between the breakwater and the oil platforms being particularly productive. Sand bass join the calicos on the deeper structure. White seabass make an early appearance in the kelp beds when squid are spawning, offering a premium target for patient anglers.

Summer (June through August)

Summer is the busiest and most productive season. Yellowtail arrive when water temperatures push past the mid-60s, with fish holding around Catalina Island, the offshore oil platforms, and the Horseshoe Kelp. Bluefin tuna have become a major summer attraction in recent years, with schools appearing anywhere from 20 to 60 miles offshore. The half-day fleet stays busy with calico bass, sand bass, barracuda, and bonito inside the breakwater and along the kelp edges. Halibut fishing peaks on the sandy bottom from Long Beach to Huntington.

Fall (September through November)

Fall extends the summer bite and often produces the biggest fish. Yellowtail remain in the area as long as warm water persists, and the largest specimens are frequently caught in September and October. Bluefin tuna continue to patrol the offshore waters during warm-water years. Calico bass are at their heaviest and most aggressive. The fall bonito bite provides non-stop action for anglers looking for fast fishing on light tackle. White seabass make a secondary appearance in the kelp beds during October.

Winter (December through February)

The fishery slows but doesn't stop. Rockfish trips to the deep structure around the oil platforms and artificial reefs produce well. Sand bass hold on deep structure in 80 to 150 feet. The half-day fleet targets mixed bags of sculpin, whitefish, and sheephead on the rocky bottom. Shore anglers find surfperch along the beaches and perch around the harbor docks. The breakwater holds a surprising amount of life in winter, including halibut, calico bass, and the occasional white seabass.

Long Beach Seasonal Overview

The Breakwater and Oil Platform Fishery

Long Beach's 2.5-mile breakwater is one of the most unique fishing structures in California. The rock wall creates an artificial reef that holds calico bass, sand bass, sheephead, halibut, and dozens of other species. The inside of the breakwater offers calm-water fishing for the half-day fleet, while the outside face drops into deeper water and holds larger fish.

The oil platforms (THUMS islands and the offshore platforms off Huntington Beach) add another dimension to Long Beach fishing. These platforms act as artificial reefs, attracting baitfish and the gamefish that feed on them. Yellowtail, white seabass, calico bass, and barracuda all patrol the platform structure during warm months.

"Long Beach is the center of SoCal sportfishing for a reason. The fleet is massive, the options are endless, and between the breakwater, the platforms, Catalina, and the offshore banks, you can target a different species every day of the week." — Long Beach sport fishing landing operator

Tackle Recommendations

• Yellowtail/tuna: Medium-heavy conventional rod, 40-65 lb braid, surface iron (Salas, Tady), live sardines on 2/0-4/0 hooks
• Calico bass: Medium spinning rod, 15-20 lb braid, 12-15 lb fluoro leader, 3-5 inch swimbaits on 1/4-1/2 oz jigheads
• Halibut: Medium rod, 15-20 lb braid, live anchovy or white Gulp grubs on sliding sinker rigs
• Half-day mixed bag: Medium rod, 15-20 lb line, two-hook gangion rig with squid strips or cut anchovy for rockfish, sculpin, and sand bass

Fleet and Access

Long Beach sport fishing operates primarily from two landings: 22nd Street Landing and Long Beach Sportfishing. Both offer daily half-day, three-quarter-day, full-day, and overnight trips. The half-day fleet is the most affordable way to get on the water, with morning and afternoon trips available. For yellowtail and tuna, three-quarter-day and full-day boats provide the range needed to reach the offshore grounds. Overnight trips target tuna at the offshore banks during peak season.

Long Beach is easily accessible from all parts of the LA metro area. Parking is available at both landings, and bait is included with most charter tickets. Tackle rentals are available but bringing your own gear gives you a significant advantage, especially for species-specific techniques.

Regulations

Southern California fishing regulations include species-specific bag limits, size minimums, and seasonal closures. Key limits include calico bass (5 per day, 14-inch minimum), halibut (5 per day, 22-inch minimum), and yellowtail (10 per day, 24-inch minimum). Bluefin tuna limits vary by year. Always check CDFW's website for current regulations.