California · Southern California
WHITE SEABASS FISHING
IN LONG BEACH
Long Beach is an excellent destination for white seabass fishing, with peak season in April, May, June and good catches in July. Book a charter and target white seabass with local experts.
About White Seabass Fishing in Long Beach
The white seabass is a prized croaker species found along the California coast from Point Conception south. These powerful, elusive fish frequent kelp forests and sandy bottom near structure, often feeding in the predawn hours. Landing a quality white seabass is considered one of SoCal's greatest saltwater achievements.
White Seabass are the largest member of the croaker family on the Pacific coast and one of the most coveted catches in Southern California. These powerful, elusive fish frequent kelp forests, sandy bottom near structure, and offshore islands, often feeding in the predawn hours and at night. Their silvery-gray body with a dark blue-steel back and copper-tinted flanks is beautiful, and their firm, mild flesh is considered premium table fare. Landing a quality white seabass over 30 lbs is considered one of SoCal saltwater fishing's greatest achievements.
Scientific name: Atractoscion nobilis
White Seabass Seasonal Calendar — Long Beach
Month-by-month availability for white seabass in Long Beach, CA.
How to Catch White Seabass in Long Beach
Techniques & Bait
Live squid is the #1 bait when available — fished on a sliding sinker rig near the bottom along kelp edges and rocky structure at night or dawn. Live sardines on a flyline or lightly weighted hook also produce. Trolling large Rapala CD-18 plugs through kelp channels and along offshore islands is effective for covering water. Artificial lure fishing with large swimbaits (6-8 inch) and white or glow-colored soft plastics retrieved slowly along the bottom works well. Patience is key — white seabass are notoriously fickle feeders.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-heavy rod (7-8 ft), conventional or spinning reel, 20-30 lb mono or 40-50 lb braid, 25-30 lb fluorocarbon leader, 2/0-4/0 circle hooks for live bait. Fish with a light drag — white seabass have soft mouths that can tear easily with heavy pressure.
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Long Beach
Top spots where local captains target white seabass and other nearshore species.
Palos Verdes Peninsula
The Palos Verdes Peninsula features miles of rocky coastline and kelp beds where calico bass, sheephead, rockfish, and white seabass hold in some of the best nearshore structure in Los Angeles County. The peninsula's steep underwater terrain creates diverse habitat from shallow reef to deep rock walls within a mile of shore.
Long Beach Breakwater
The Long Beach Breakwater is a massive man-made structure that creates miles of rock-reef habitat holding calico bass, sand bass, sheephead, and perch. The breakwater's submerged rocks and current breaks create a nearshore fishery accessible from any small boat inside the protected harbor waters.
Horseshoe Kelp
Horseshoe Kelp is a large crescent-shaped kelp bed offshore of Long Beach and San Pedro that holds calico bass, sand bass, barracuda, and bonito in dense kelp canopy. The kelp's size and fish-holding capacity make it one of the most reliable nearshore destinations in the South Bay area.
Rocky Point (Palos Verdes)
Rocky Point on the Palos Verdes Peninsula features exposed rocky reef where calico bass, sheephead, and rockfish hold in kelp-covered structure from 20 to 80 feet deep. Shore anglers fish from the rocks while boat anglers work the outer kelp edges for quality bass and sheephead.
Other Species in Long Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Long Beach.
Rockfish
Yellowtail
Lingcod
Yellowfin Tuna
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Mahi Mahi
Albacore Tuna
Striped Marlin
White Seabass Fishing in Long Beach — FAQ
The peak months for White Seabass fishing in Long Beach are April, May, June. During these months, White Seabass are most active and abundant in the Long Beach area.
White Seabass fishing charters in Long Beach are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live squid is the #1 bait when available — fished on a sliding sinker rig near the bottom along kelp edges and rocky structure at night or dawn. Live sardines on a flyline or lightly weighted hook also produce. Trolling large Rapala CD-18 plugs through kelp channels and along offshore islands is effective for covering water. Artificial lure fishing with large swimbaits (6-8 inch) and white or glow-colored soft plastics retrieved slowly along the bottom works well. Patience is key — white seabass are notoriously fickle feeders.
No — when you book a charter in Long Beach, your captain provides all required California fishing licenses as part of the trip.
White Seabass regulations in California include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting White Seabass in Long Beach, you may also catch Rockfish, Yellowtail, Lingcod, Yellowfin Tuna, Pacific Bluefin Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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