Patterns:
Los Angeles and Orange County Region



The Los Angeles and Orange County Forecasts are provided by Captain Bryan Webb of Pacific Coast Fly Fishing. All photos on this page have been provided by Captain Webb.

This section covers Malibu south to San Onofre and Camp Pendleton, Catalina and San Clemente Islands, and the northernmost offshore banks such as the 14 Mile Bank.

Spring (March – May)

Catalina Calico

As water temperatures rise in the Spring, we see all kinds of species getting active - calico and sand bass start moving into shallower water to spawn, and barracuda and schools of small yellowtail soon follow them onto the sand bass flats. Bonito will show up around May as temperatures continue to climb.

Offshore, at Catalina and San Clemente Islands, we'll start to see floats of squid in mid-March. This signals the start of some serious white seabass, yellowtail and calico bass fishing in these areas. A good trick is to watch the sport boat counts for early yellowtail and a consistent white seabass bite - big counts on the islands early in the season are often indicative of a good offshore year. Bonito and calicos are also usually on the chew around the islands this time of year.

Summer (June – August)


In the summer months, fishing will be going strong on all fronts. Along the coast, calico and sand bass will be hanging around the inshore waters, with bonito, barracuda and yellowtail cruising the kelp line. Offshore, yellowtail and dorado will be found under the kelp paddies, as well as the occasional striped marlin. The islands seem to have a little stronger yellowtail bite this time of year, and the bass, bonito and barracuda are very steady. When fishing offshore, always make sure you take a close look at temperature breaks and any floating debris.

Fall (September – November)


As water temps fall, the sand bass bite slows down and the yellowtail and dorado numbers dwindle. The good news is that we typically see a big push of yellowfin tuna around the 209 and 277 Spots, sometimes even up to the 14 Mile Bank. Striped marlin are usually on a good bite in September, and we may see a few into the beginning of October. However, by the first part of November, everything offshore has pretty much departed for warmer waters to the south.

On the other had, out on Catalina and San Clemente Islands there will still be a consistent bite from the calicos and bonito with the occasional yellowtail mixed in. There are also a few more white seabass in the counts at this time of year. So don't put the rods away!

Winter (December – February)


Winter brings low water temperatures and a mixed bag of fish. Calico bass are usually steady, but sand bass, barracuda, bonito and white seabass will be a bit more sporadic. The key to finding fish in the winter is a consistent weather pattern. Fluctuating water temps tend to shut the fishing down, but a few days of stable water temps turns everything back on.

In the last few years the winter bonito bite at the islands has been very reliable. The bite on all the other species tends to be erratic, even calicos, but not the bonito.





Fishing Forecasts:
LA and OC Region

These notes are fishing forecasts based on fishing reports, and assessments of weather and water conditions, fishing pressure, moon phase, etc., by our guides, moderators, and staff. Fishing Reports may be found on our Fishing Reports Forum.


March 29, 2008 Forecast - BTBFF Staff

The highlight of the Winter fishing season has been the Long Beach Breakwall and the oil islands inside the harbor, which have been pumping out a steady stream of calico bass, sand bass, and the occasional White Seabass. Catalina's usual White Seabass run has not kicked into gear yet, but keep an ear/eye out on the front side of a full moon. The same band of 60 degree water seen off San Diego continues up into the Orange County and Los Angeles area, so it's mostly just a matter of time before the 2008 season gets kicked off.


July 24, 2007 Forecast - Capt Bryan Webb

Coastal Fishing along the Wall and the Horseshoe should get even better as the water continues to warm. Look for larger barracuda, yellowtail and bonito to appear around the Horshoe Kelp area

Islands / Offshore: Catalina fishing will get even better, as will San Clemente Island. Large schools of yellowtail have been seen at SCI, but have been hard to hook. Tuna and yellowtail shopuld appear soon around the 209 Bank.


April 17, 2007 LA and OC Forecast by Capt. Bryan Webb

Capt. Bryan Webb (Pacific Coast Fly Fishing) reports that fishing in the LA/OC area is showing signs of starting to take off, despite a week of wicked winds and big swells.

Small barracuda have been showing up in Long Beach Harbor and just outside Newport Harbor; and both calico bass and sand bass fishing on the LB Breakwall has been good for some quality fish in the 3-4lb range. There are lots of juvenile White Seabass showing along the Breakwall as well. These fish are just below legal size (24-27" ), but are a lot of fun on a fly rod. Capt. Webb attributes the improving fishing to warming water temps, which have jumped up to 61 degrees.

San Clemente Island and Catalina Island are seeing occasional good showings of yellowtail and some white seabass, but have been mostly scratchy.

Palos Verdes peninsula has also been very quiet.

Dana Point has seen people scratching out calicos, but there have not been a lot of reports.


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