Artificial Lure here with your on-the-scene Pacific Ocean California fishing report for Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

First light cracked at 6:52 AM, and we’re looking at a sunset right around 4:50 PM. Conditions today are autumn classic—cool at daybreak with light jackets in order, breezy mid-morning, and mostly clear skies expected for much of the coast. According to the Ocean Weather Service, you’ll want to keep an eye out for shifting winds, but swells should remain manageable nearshore—ideal for both shorecasters and local skiff crews.

Tide-wise, we’ve got a predawn high at 2:01 AM, dropping to a minus low of near-zero at 8:17 AM, peaking again for a modest high at 3:20 PM. With that in mind, the morning outgoing makes for excellent surfperch opportunities and the start of the swing into the afternoon high is prime for your kelp and reef chasers, especially around rocky outcrops and reefs off La Jolla and up around Half Moon Bay, both historically reliable hotspots according to Tides4Fishing and Point Loma Sportfishing.

On the fish front, it’s late fall transition. The saltwater fleet has been hammering rockfish—Fish Emeryville just reported limit-style hauls: 240 rockfish and 240 Dungeness crab with 24 anglers on Saturday, and the Channel Islands crew noted “lights out” crabbing and strong scores on sheephead, whitefish, and lingcod. Fisherman's Landing describes the nearshore bass bite as lively—lots of sand and calico bass, mostly catch-and-release, but keepers mixed in especially around structure.

Offshore, the San Diego boats remain in “Tuna Mode.” Point Loma Sportfishing’s Vagabond and New Lo-An trips continue to score on bluefin tuna, yellowtail, and the occasional wahoo—some excellent late runs this season. The Pacifica returned recently with 36 bluefin tuna and a yellowtail for 18 anglers, indicating there’s still pelagic action if you can find the schools, most often deeper off the nine mile and Butterfly Banks.

For bait and tactics:
- **Rockfish, lingcod, and sheephead** are stacking deep. Dropper loop with squid or cut mackerel is classic. For lures, heavy iron jigs in red and chrome are proving deadly on the drop.
- **Crab combos**—stick with salmon bits or fish carcasses in your traps.
- **Surfcasters**: Motor oil and chartreuse grubs fished on a carolina rig, or sandcrabs if you can dig them on the low tide, especially at Torrey Pines and Ocean Beach.
- **Bay and inshore bass**: Ned rigs, small paddle tails, and traditional plastics in green pumpkin or baitfish patterns are money right now, especially around Mission Bay docks and submerged pilings. San Diego anglers report that round jig heads with grubs are effective but snaggy—weedless swimbaits cut down frustration.

For the bass and halibut chasers, November is perfect for reaction baits. Major League Fishing’s recent California Delta event highlighted vibrating jigs and spinnerbaits in green pumpkin with blue or chartreuse. Early and late in the day, don’t sleep on topwater lures—a black and yellow popping frog or classic walking bait draws reaction strikes, especially over grass or kelp mats.

For hot spots, I’d suggest:

- **Point Loma Kelp Beds**: Productive for ½ day charters and private boats with a steady mix of calico bass, rockfish, and a shot at late-season yellowtail.
- **Santa Cruz Island out of Ventura/Channel Islands**: Limits of rockfish plus jumbo lingcod, with solid crab scores.

In summary: action is steady, crabbing is hot, rockfish are stacked, and bluefin are still kicking around offshore. Bring both your bait and your favorite jigs, fish those tide changes, and dress for a cool fall day on the water.

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