Calico Bass Fishing off Ventura: Island Kelp, Swimbaits & Light-Tackle Thrills
Target trophy calico bass in the kelp forests of the Channel Islands from Ventura with this guide to swimbait techniques...
Read MoreCalifornia · Southern California
VENTURA
FISHING CHARTERS
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Fishing Types
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Species
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About
Ventura Fishing
Ventura is a premier Southern California fishing port with the Channel Islands National Park just offshore, providing some of the best island fishing in the state. White seabass, yellowtail, calico bass, lingcod, and seasonal bluefin tuna are the main draws. Ventura Harbor and Channel Islands Harbor offer a large fleet of charter and party boats.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in Ventura?
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
Color Key
Peak
Good
Fair
Off Season
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Nearshore
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F | F | G | G | P | P | G | G | G | G | F | F |
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Bottom Fishing
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F | F | G | G | P | P | P | P | G | G | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | P | P | P | G | F | - | - | - | - |
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Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | G | G | P | P | G | G | F | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | F | G | P | G | F | - | - |
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Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | F | G | P | G | F | F | - |
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Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | G | P | G | F | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | G | G | F | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | G | P | F | - |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
Ventura Fish Species
9+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Nearshore Species
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Deep Sea Fishing Species
Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.
Bottom Fishing Species
Charter Guide
Fishing Charter Types in Ventura
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
INSHORE
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersNEARSHORE
Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDEEP SEA FISHING
Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersTROLLING
Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersBOTTOM FISHING
Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersFLY FISHING
Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersSURF FISHING
Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersKAYAK FISHING
Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides
View All Articles
Ventura Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Ventura.
Guest Reviews
4.7
based on 3 reviews
Ventura Fishing Reviews
Yellowtail Fever at Anacapa Island
Made the short run to Anacapa Island and found the yellowtail chewing on the backside in 60 feet. Live sardines on the flyline got smashed within seconds of hitting the water. We put 15 yellows on the deck from 20 to 35 pounds — absolute carnage in the best possible way.
C
Captain Frank Castellano
August 2025
Yellowtail
White Seabass Dawn Patrol Pays Off
Left the dock at 4 AM to soak squid before sunrise along the Ventura kelp beds. The gamble paid off with four legal white seabass to 38 pounds before the sun cleared the mountains. These fish were aggressive and committed — no light-bite nonsense today.
C
Captain Michelle Torres
May 2025
White Seabass
Calico Bass Biting on the Island
Fished the kelp beds around Anacapa for calico bass and the bite was solid all morning on live anchovies and swimbaits. Put 20 calicos in the well to 5 pounds with most fish coming on the flyline. Mixed in a few sheephead and a bonus halibut on the sand edges.
C
Captain Jorge Padilla
September 2025
Calico Bass
Sheephead
California Halibut
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