Best Deep Sea Fishing Spots in California (Complete Guide)

Deep sea fishing in California is an abundant and popular sport for locals and visitors alike. When fishing the California coast, there are many things to consider and one of the largest is the season and temperature.

The best deep sea fishing in California can be found off Long Beach, San Diego, Catalina Island, San Francisco Bay Area, Bodega Bay, Yerba Buena Island, Greyhound Rock, and Samoa State Marine Conservation Area.

Deep sea fishing is abundant all along the coast but there are a few spots that are better than others. Locals flock to these areas for great fishing and so should you. When I arrive somewhere to fish, such as my hometown, I always ask the local shops what is working and what is not, because fish behavior changes over time.

In terms of deep sea fishing, local guides and charters are always an option but if you are interested in going it alone, you can still enjoy your trip and catch fish. The local scene changes because of California’s long stretch north and south, but we will include many areas along that stretch.

As we stated above, season and temperature heavily impact deep sea fishing for many species, and their activity or even presence is determined by the elements. Some fish species have bizarre behaviors such as the salmon spawn, or the schooling of other species during specific times of the year.

Best Southern California Fishing Locations

Southern California is home to big cities, beach culture, and big fish. Generally warmer than northern California, Southern California has a more welcoming environment year-round.

Visiting this area during the fall is a great time because of the warm, but not hot weather. Spring is another great time to visit to get comfortable temperatures and migrating fish. Arguably, many local anglers insist that the best season for a great many fish is in the month of May.

Long Beach

Long Beach is known for its surf culture and family fun but it also offers great deep-sea fishing. The nice thing about the Long Beach area is the sudden drop off of its coast.

This close proximity to shore means that you can boat closer to shore, but more importantly, there are areas from shore that you can fish deep water without the need for a boat.

Fish Species found here are abundant and despite seasonal changes, many are available for the majority of the season. Here is a list of species found off of the Long Beach coastline.

Fish Species Off Of Long Beach

• Tuna
• Yellowtail Amberjack
• California Halibut
• Rockfish
• White Seabass
• Calico Bass

Season

While every species has a slight variation of which season they prefer, most species begin being active and available during the month of April and are active most of the summer.

Locations Within Long Beach

One great spot that will get out into deeper water without the need for a boat is Riviera Point. This location is a bar that stretches into some deep water that you can fish early morning for best results for many species.

Huntington Flats & Outer Oil Rigs

A very popular area for recreational and commercial fishermen alike is the Huntington Flats and Outer Oil Rigs. This area requires a watercraft and the easiest way to reach it is by GPS navigation.

The outer oil rig’s GPS coordinates are (3335.00/11807.52) and offer great deep sea fishing with outriggers and a slow trolling pattern. Most species can be caught here during warm months but the area is known for good halibut fishing.

To find the Huntington Flats you need only travel about 3 degrees and the flat can be trolled west from there. The flats themselves are not as deep as the oil rigs but they are just as active with fish.

Fish Species Found In Huntington Flatts and Outer Oil Rigs

• Tuna
• Yellowtail Amberjack
• California Halibut
• Rockfish
• White Seabass
• Calico Bass

Seasons

The best season for fishing in these areas is arguably in colder weather according to locals but the fishing cannot be terrible when warm weather exists either. Caution should be taken when fishing the open sea during colder weather, especially when air pressure is unstable.

Locations Within Huntington Flats

There is not a specific area, but rather a pattern. Traveling directly north of (3335.00/11807.52) by 3 degrees lands you on the eastern side of the flats. From there, they can be trolled effectively traveling west towards the open ocean for a mile before turning back and returning.

San Diego Bay Area Best Fishing Spots

The San Diego Bay Area is an amazing place for deep-sea fishing and there are many reasons why. The first and foremost is the number of charters and guides available in the area. This location is a very popular stop for anglers from around the world.

Another reason that the area is great for deep sea fishing is the ability to troll very deep runs thanks to the natural shape of the bay itself. From Shore, there are many great spots to fish from as well.

San Diego Bay is home to the Coronado Naval Station, which depending on the season can limit your access to that immediate area. The naval base itself sits similar to a lid on a jar, covering the bay from the open sea.

For a complete breakdown of the best times & seasons for San Diego fishing, please check out this helpful article.

Bayside Park

Bayside park sits on the eastern side of the bay attached to the mainland. This small park offers great access to some deep water and areas to spend time with family.

When fishing deep water from shore, it is best to find a rapid drop in depth so you do not have to cast too far and this area is perfect for this. This area also offers a great view of the Coronado peninsula and the open ocean on the other side.

Species

• Spotted Bass
• Bonefish
• California Halibut
• Yellowtail
• Bonito
• Barracuda
• Coho Salmon
• Chinook Salmon
• Kokanee Salmon

Seasons

The best season for most deep-sea fishing is going to be in the late summer to fall. The best time of day is usually early morning or later in the evening.

Also, consider what time the piers around you close as well or boats dock near you. In the colder months, many more boats will likely be docked near the park impeding fishing at times.

Pepper Park

Another site located on the east side of the bay, Pepper Park allows fishing access near the wildlife refuge as well as access to a boat ramp. This site is very small but has a lot of potential for deep-sea fishermen.

The first thing that makes this site great is that it is near everything you will need. Food, lodging, bait, tackle, etc. But it also is great because of its proximity to the San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Species

• Spotted Bass
• Bonefish
• California Halibut
• Yellowtail
• Bonito
• Barracuda
• Coho Salmon
• Chinook Salmon
• Kokanee Salmon

Seasons

The best seasons are going to be in the late summer and fall for a few reasons. The first of which is salmon. The majority of salmon will begin traveling inland for spawn in the fall and a bay on the coast is a great spot for that.

What makes this spot specifically good for salmon is its close proximity to the Sweetwater River and Paradise Creek, both of which are waterways salmon use to travel to their breeding grounds.

Best Central California Fishing Locations

Central California offers great fishing access with its implementation of their marine conservation areas that offer great coastal, deep water fishing both from the boat and by shore. Seasonal considerations for this area are that the temperatures can be lower but barely noticeable in contrast to southern California.

Generally, the further north or south you are from the equator, the colder it will be and this is important to understand when trying to understand fish. Generally speaking, weather and temperature are what drive fish to spawn and procreate.

Just about any offshore real estate can yield great fishing in central California but there are a few that stick out from the rest and they are all in relation to the conservation areas along the central coast.

Greyhound Rock

Greyhound Rock is a fishing access site that offers great deep fishing from shore. This is a very popular area for its incredible view as well so expect some folks to be stopping alongside the highway.

This area falls under some specific conservation laws that are strictly enforced so be sure to be up to date on the regulations when you fish. The official location is mile marker 34, northbound on highway 1.

Finfish can legally be caught by hook and line from shore generally, but watercraft boating can be very strict. The boundaries of this conservation area are strictly enforced as well.

This area is popular for salmon pre-spawn and can be a bit busy but there is plenty of shoreline for everyone. Be sure to get there early before the temperature rises too much to get the best bite.

Fish Species

• Giant Kelp
• Coho Salmon
• Chinook Salmon
• Kokanee Salmon
• Squid

Seasons

There are a few different species that are available in this area that are generally available year-round but the deep water is home to salmon that are on their way to spawn in the very early fall.

This early fall fishing is what brings most anglers to this area because fishing in and around this conservation area is very lucrative for salmon. Arriving early can be a good idea because the beach can fill pretty quickly.

Best Bay Area Deep Sea Fishing

The bay area offers amazing fishing opportunities and more than that, it offers the best charter and outfitter selection in the entire state, arguably. Generally, deep-sea fishing in the bay area will be done via watercraft but some shore fishing is available.

The bay area is a great place to plan a trip from as it is attached to Oakland and San Francisco, both of which offer great lodging and amenities but can be a chore to navigate. Many anglers launch from a nearby smaller town and boat into the bay to avoid the city traffic.

The bay area can be busy with watercraft so an early morning start is recommended. There is also a large traffic flow of commercial vessels to be wary of. This is why picking a location that you can shore fish from as well is equally important.

Yerba Buena Island

Yerba Buena Island offers great deep sea fishing all around its perimeter and some great views of the bay. Generally fishing by watercraft around this island is not very crowded and can easily be trolled.

If and when the waters around the island become crowded, shore fishing from this island still hits deep water and is very successful for many species. Fishing reports for this island as well as many others can easily be found online to see what they are biting on.

Fish here can be easily fished by just about any public shore around the island, in particular Clipper Cove Beach. There is also a United States Coast Guard pier that you may be able to access with permission.

Species

• Rockfish (striped bass)
• Sole
• Smelt
• Croaker
• Diamond Turbot

Seasons

Generally, the bay area is fairly safe from inclement weather and the bite can really pick up during bad weather. Sunny weather can affect fishing conditions and make the fish less likely to bite.

Early morning is the best time any day for most species and early morning on a cool fall day is the most ideal. Storms can still occur in the bay area and they can be dangerous so be sure to be aware of the weather. If you’re new to the bay area fishing scene, consider a guide who is aware of all of the weather information.

Best Deep Sea Fishing in Northern California

Northern California is the beginning of a colder, more humid environment of fishing. A more green and wet countryside offers different air pressures, different weather patterns, and different fish behavior.

Northern California, near the Oregon border, is home to pacific salmon, A fish that is as accessible inland in winding rivers as it is at sea. Turbulent weather makes for dangerous seas and waterways, however, and an understanding of the weather will be crucial.

Northern California offers a great fishing experience from shore and from a boat but the best deep-sea fishing will be early in the salmon spawn. This is when anglers will gather to get in on the salmon action before they have gone upstream.

Samoa State Marine Conservation Area

This area is abundant in many species but the only fish that may be legally taken is recreational salmon by means of trolling ONLY. This is included in this list due to its amazing salmon fishing during early spawn.

South of this area is Arcata Bay, a popular inlet for salmon to begin their run inland to spawn. Most California coast salmon spawn strong in the fall so to get to the fish before they enter the mainland you should be putting a boat in the water early to late August.

Salmon fishing is also great north and south of the conservation area. Do not think that the fishing is only good within a small area, generally, the fishing is great all along this stretch of the California coast.

Species

• Coho Salmon
• Kokanee Salmon
• Chinook Salmon

What is Considered Deep Sea Fishing in California?

Deep sea Fishing in California, as well as other locations, is something of a “grab bag” of fishing. You do not really know what you are going to reel in. While to a certain degree we can tailor our bait to a specific species, we will not always catch that species.

This is something important to understand about fishing restricted areas such as the Samoa State marine area mentioned above. Though the regulations say you may only troll for salmon, trolling the deep sea will yield more than just salmon. It is up to you to only keep what is legal.

Deep sea fishing takes place in many places all along California’s coast and also freshwater areas at times. Even though all species can be caught at almost any depth, some are nearly exclusively caught in deep water.

Species Breakdown: Best CA Spots

Mahi Mahi

• San Diego Area
• Dana Point
• Long Beach
• Newport Beach

Tuna

• Coronado Islands
• Morro Bay
• San Francisco
• Drake’s Bay
• Salt Point State Park

Sturgeon

• San Joaquin Delta
• San Francisco Bay Area
• Tributaries and Rivers attached to Bay Area

Striped Bass

• San Francisco Bay
• Bay area (Oakland Specific)

Halibut

• San Diego Bay
• Santa Catalina Island
• Santa Monica Bay
• Channel Islands

Mako Sharks

• Santa Barbara
• San Diego

Yellowtail

• Cedros Island
• Pacific Side of Baha

Billfish

• Off of the Catalina Coast

Is Winter TIme Good for Deep Sea Fishing in CA?

The short answer is yes but there’s more to it than a short answer. Air pressure, temperature, and tidal behavior all play a part in a fish and its behavior. Fall and winter are colder, more turbulent times than summer and this triggers a feeding drive in fish.

This is a trait that can sometimes be more easily seen in extremely aggressive freshwater fish such as the perch of the Percidae family. Colder weather also kicks off a spawn with many species of coastal fish, the most popular of which is salmon.

Fishing in the winter months also yields social benefits as well. Most tourists will visit cities in the summer but not as much in the winter. Colder months could mean an easier time fishing a larger city that would otherwise be unbearable any other time of year.