So Cal Small vessel Saltwater Fishing

[Badfish07]

Booking a small rental boat out of Newport and would like to pick the brains here to see where are some good spots in February, March, and April and for what species? 3 guys on a 21 ft. center console and open and equipped for most anything.

[alantani]

norcal i can help with, but not south.  hopefully someone will be able to help!

[Badfish07]

 Hi Alan! Yeah, I had this vessel booked via Slayday and it was cancelled this past weekend for weather. I am rescheduling it and may have the opportunity to borrow another boast and thought I'd ask the pros for advice!
BUT, since you say No Cal...sometimes I do have to travel to SFO for work and would love to shore fish while I'm there!
I am near Pacifica, but what else is there that would be bountiful?

[alantani]

typically half moon bay.  rockcod is easy.  salmon depends.  summer is best.  keep in touch.

[Swami805]

Waters cold, rockfish is closed. Not much happening in SoCal right now. There's been some bonita along the front side of Catalina before these storms. Could try dragging rapalas around.  If nothing else it's a beautiful island, worth the trip for that alone. Watch the weather, that channel can be a cruel mistress

[Brewcrafter]

Swami is right about the island.  But if I was heading out right now, it would involve drifting the flats just offshore for California Halibut. - john

[PacRat]

The fishing in Newport harbor can be good so don't overlook it, especially if the open ocean conditions are not optimal. There are also kelp beds near the harbor mouth. Track down a copy of this book if you don't already have it: https://www.amazon.com/Mike-Gardners-Fish-Have-Hands/dp/096493311X

[PacRat]

If you have a full day to devote to fishing, just book a spot on one of the charters to Catalina or San Clemente island. It will be more enjoyable than skippering a rental and you'll learn the area and some local technique.

[PacRat]

If fishing from a rental I would stay close to shore. You will want to go to the DFG website and familiarize yourself with the MPAs (Marine Protection Areas). Many of my good spots are now off-limits. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs

Stay out of the big red triangle near Laguna Beach: https://cdfw.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c00c82e1f32a49e99c747e2411e3439e
If the sea conditions are nice and you want to take a ride; head south of Dana Point to San Mateo Reef. This spot will go off when the tide is right (read Garner's book).

When it gets closer to April I would fish Huntington Flats for bass. There are a lot of man-made reefs there and they hold lots of bass. Get some coordinates for some reefs and just motor around until you find one holding lots of fish. It never hurt to troll Rapalas while seeking a good reef or hopping from reef to reef.

[PacRat]

If you're on FB, browse some of the local groups like https://www.facebook.com/groups/617855371887934
For the most part, they fiercely guard their spots but you will get a good idea of which species are hitting and what they are hitting.

[sciaenops]

2nd on halibut - drift smelt/sardines/small mackerel over sandy bottom near rocks/artificial reefs (there's a few off Huntington/Seal Beach.

Also wsb roam year round. If you're launching from Newport Bay, Lookup Sewer pipe that runs from shore out 3-4 mi off south HB (end of Brookhurst St). Inside the Bay, find eelgrass patches for spotted bay bass 6-8# tackle 1/4 oz jighead/3" paddletails.