Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure with your Los Angeles area fishing report for Wednesday May 21 2025.

Weather today is classic SoCal spring with mostly clear skies mild mornings and highs pushing into the mid 70s by afternoon. Winds are light out of the west picking up midday but nothing too fierce. Tides are moderate with an early morning high just after sunrise dropping to a low around lunchtime before climbing again late afternoon. Sunrise was at 545 am and sunset will be at 752 pm so you have plenty of daylight to chase those bites.

Inshore saltwater action is heating up with the season. Out of the local landings, boats heading north are bringing in solid counts of rockfish, whitefish, and a nice mix of halibut and white seabass just up the coast. Ventura and Oxnard boats are reporting standout catches recently with halibut and white seabass in the mix topped by limits of rockfish and a few barracuda to keep things interesting. Nearer to home, expect similar patterns off Santa Monica and Palos Verdes reefs with the morning hours best for the bigger bites[2].

Top lures for salt this week are plastic swimbaits on leadheads and chrome/blue irons for surface feeders like barracuda. White seabass are responding to fresh-dead squid when you can get it, otherwise try dropper loops with live sardines. Halibut are favoring slow presentations on the bottom with soft plastics and flukes in sardine or anchovy colors.

On the freshwater side, area lakes are seeing rising water temps now into the mid 60s. Bass are moving shallow and hitting small swimbaits, jerkbaits, and soft plastics especially early and late[3]. Spotted bass have been reported in good numbers at Castaic, Pyramid, and even Lower Twin. For largemouth, try Senkos or finesse worms worked near submerged structure and weedlines.

Your best bets close to LA remain the breakwall and kelp off Cabrillo Beach for mixed bag action and Dockweiler Beach for surf perch and the odd corbina. For freshwater, Castaic Lake is producing early-morning bass, and Hansen Dam is a solid city option for panfish and catfish.

For bait, bring squid for seabass, live sardines for everything else inshore, and nightcrawlers or plastics for your freshwater trips.

The fish are active and the weather is prime so get out there and wet a line. Tight lines from Artificial Lure, see you on the water.

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Monday morning fishing report for May 19, 2025, around Los Angeles.

The sun's already up, rising at about 5:45 AM, and we'll have daylight until around 7:50 PM tonight. Weather's looking prime today with temps in the mid-70s and a gentle offshore breeze - perfect conditions to get out on the water!

Tide-wise, we're looking at a moderate incoming tide through mid-morning, with high tide around noon and then a steady outflow through the afternoon. This pattern has been producing some excellent action lately.

The bass bite has been absolutely fire this past week! Water temps are holding steady in the mid to high 60s, and both largemouth and spotted bass are still in that post-spawn pattern. They're hanging around shallow drop-offs and classic spawning zones. Guys are slaying them on dropshots, Ned rigs, and tubes worked near structure. Brown and orange jigs and Senkos are also getting picked up when worked slow and tight to cover.

Over in Santa Barbara this weekend, boats were limiting out on rockfish with impressive numbers of lingcod mixed in. The Coral Sea out of Santa Barbara Landing had 25 anglers land 50 lingcod and 248 rockfish on Saturday, plus 25 white seabass! That's no joke!

For you crappie hunters, they're stacking up in brush piles and submerged timber. Shiners or grubs worked tight to structure are your ticket.

If you're hitting the saltwater scene, yellowtail are still showing up, though the real excitement has been the roosterfish which are absolutely bending rods. Boats out of La Paz were also hooking into dorado, marlin, and a variety of snapper species.

Hot spots to check out: Castaic Lake has been producing strong numbers of spots, and Marina del Rey jetties have been holding some quality halibut. Don't sleep on Long Beach Harbor for some excellent bass action.

Bait-wise, the live anchovy bite remains strong, but artificial guys are crushing it on small swimbaits and jerkbaits in the shallows as the water warms up. For the bottom biters, you can't go wrong with Powerbait or floating nightcrawlers if you're after those planted trout.

Last but not least, CDFW planted trout a couple weeks back and folks are still pulling limits. Those stockers aren't the smartest fish in the sea, but they sure are tasty!

That's your report for today, May 19th. Get out there while the getting's good! This is Artificial Lure, tight lines everybody!

Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure with your Los Angeles fishing report for Sunday May 18 2025.

The marine layer started off thick again this morning but we’re shaping up for a classic SoCal May day. Expect partly cloudy skies giving way to plenty of sunshine by midday. Temperatures will push into the low 70s along the coast with afternoon onshore breezes picking up to 10 to 15 knots.

Today’s tidal chart has a moderate low tide early around 540 AM and a high tide peaking close to noon. That mid-morning to midday incoming tide is a sweet window for chasing those inshore biters especially around the harbors and rocky points.

Sunrise hit at 546 AM and sunset will be just after 748 PM giving you a long window to get lines wet. Water temps continue to hang in the mid to upper 60s and that’s got the local game fish fired up and feeding.

Let’s get into what’s biting. The rockfish action is absolutely red hot right now especially out of Marina del Rey and Long Beach. Yesterday the Betty-O out of Marina Del Rey brought in 123 rockfish for 54 anglers while the New Del Mar reported a whopping 425 rockfish on a half day trip. For those heading deeper the overnight boats like Eldorado have been mixing in solid counts of whitefish sheephead lingcod and even a few yellowtail and bonito[2][4].

Closer to shore the halibut and white seabass bite is turning on in the bays and kelpy edges. Dreamer out of Long Beach had 1 halibut 8 white seabass and 12 calico bass for just a handful of anglers. That’s a good sign the ghosts and flatties are on the chew with the tide movement[2]. Calico bass bite is also picking up around the kelp lines especially early with the tide push.

Your best bets for baits today are live or frozen squid strips for rockfish whitefish and sheephead. Sardines or anchovy if you can get them are killer for halibut and seabass. Lure guys are scoring with dropper loop setups for bottom species but don’t overlook a 4-inch swimbait or leadhead with a curly tail for bass and halibut. Surface iron is always worth a toss for late-season barracuda or a stray yellowtail especially with some cleaner water pushing in.

Hot spots in the LA area right now include the Santa Monica Bay reefs especially Topanga to Sunset and the breakwall for mixed rockfish and bass. Down in Long Beach check out Horseshoe Kelp and the edges of the Federal Breakwater for halibut white seabass and steady bass action.

That’s your rundown for today Los Angeles—tight lines and I’ll see you on the water.

Hey anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Los Angeles area fishing report for Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Weather today is shaping up nicely, with early morning temps around the high 50s climbing to the low-to-mid 70s by midday. It’s mostly clear skies, with a light marine layer burning off by late morning and very little wind expected. Sunrise was at 5:49 AM and sunset will be at 7:53 PM. For those planning to hit the salt, the tides today are moderate, with an early morning high around 6:45 AM and a low just after lunch, perfect for targeting a variety of inshore species.

Let’s talk fish. The local bite has been solid along the LA coast and nearby piers. Halibut action is heating up, especially out of San Pedro’s 22nd Street Landing, where boats have been pulling good numbers of legal flatfish up to 24 pounds just this past month. Several boats reported up to nine quality halibut in a single trip, so the odds are in your favor if you work those sandy drop-offs and slow-troll live smelt or drift sardines[3].

Rockfish remain a staple on the deeper reefs off Marina del Rey and Redondo, with good catches reported. Best success has come on dropper-loop rigs with strips of squid or whole anchovy. If you’re heading offshore, keep an eye out for bonito and barracuda chasing bait balls on the surface, especially mid-morning when the current starts moving[5].

Freshwater fans, trout fishing is still wide open at local lakes like Hemet and Castaic, with recent plants keeping rainbows snapping at PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and minijigs. Bass are getting aggressive in the shallows, especially around structure—try a watermelon Senko or dropshot with a Roboworm for best results[4].

For lures on the salt, a white swimbait or a chrome Kastmaster has been making halibut and bass take notice. If you’re after rockfish, stick to simple double dropper rigs with squid strips.

Hot spots to check out today:
- 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro for halibut and rockfish action.
- The jetty at Redondo Beach, especially early morning and late afternoon for calico bass and the occasional white seabass.
- For freshwater, hit up Castaic Lagoon or Hemet Lake for excellent trout and bass action.

That’s your local rundown. Weather’s fine, fish are biting, and the tide’s right—so pack your gear, bring some live bait if you can find it, and I’ll see you out there. Tight lines from Artificial Lure!

Artificial Lure here with your Los Angeles fishing report for Friday, May 16, 2025. It is shaping up to be another great day on the water, with classic SoCal spring conditions and excellent opportunities for both inshore and offshore anglers.

Weather this morning is mild with temps starting in the low 60s and climbing into the mid-70s by afternoon. Skies are mostly clear and winds are light, which should hold throughout the day—ideal for both boaters and shore anglers. Sunrise was at 5:48 AM and sunset will be around 7:51 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to work with.

Tide-wise, we're looking at a moderate morning incoming tide peaking around 10:30 AM, followed by a slow, gentle outgoing tide through the afternoon—these moving waters should kick fish activity up a notch, especially for rockfish and bass along structure.

Recent fish counts from the local boats out of Marina Del Rey, Long Beach, and San Pedro have all been strong. On the boats like the New Del Mar and Spitfire out of Marina Del Rey, anglers have been decking solid numbers of rockfish, whitefish, and a handful of halibut and lingcod. For example, the New Del Mar put 425 rockfish and 33 whitefish on deck this week and the Spitfire reported 9 halibut and 2 lingcod recently. Over in Long Beach, Victory pulled in 330 rockfish and 165 sculpin on a single trip. San Pedro’s Triton and Monte Carlo boats have been seeing good action on red snapper, calico bass, and whitefish as well. Calico bass are biting, but a lot are being released due to size limits, so bring some finesse if you are targeting them[3].

For inshore and freshwater options, bass and trout action has been consistent at local lakes. Trout fishing has been wide open at places like Hemet Lake, with both shore and boat anglers scoring on PowerBait, nightcrawlers, spoons, and mini jigs. The spring bass bite is on fire in shallows with Senkos and dropshot Roboworms along rocky structure[4].

As far as what’s working best, bottom fishing with dropper loop rigs tipped with squid or sardine has been the ticket for those rockfish, lingcod, and whitefish on the local boats. Onshore, try swimbaits or jerkbaits early for halibut, and live sardines or anchovies if you can get them. For freshwater bass, stick with natural colored soft plastics—greens and browns have been getting consistent bites.

For hot spots today, hit the breakwall and kelp lines off Palos Verdes for big rockfish and lingering halibut, or check out the stretch around Malibu Pier for surf perch, halibut, and the odd legal white seabass rolling in. Want freshwater? Head to Castaic Lake or Hansen Dam where both the bass and catfish are biting well.

That’s your Friday rundown from Artificial Lure. Tight lines and happy fishing—let’s keep those rods bent and the reels singing!

Here’s your Los Angeles area fishing report for Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from your local angling buddy, Artificial Lure.

The spring bite is still carrying momentum, with a run of classic SoCal weather. Today expect partly cloudy skies, mild Santa Ana breezes, and highs reaching the mid-70s by afternoon. Tides are moving nicely for the bite: there’s a morning incoming tide peaking late morning, which usually gets the local surf and pier fish feeding. Sunrise was at 5:51 am and sunset will be at 7:50 pm, so there’s a solid window of daylight to chase fish.

Fish activity along the LA coastline and local islands is picking up pace. Calico bass and sand bass are plentiful, especially around rocky structure and kelp near places like Palos Verdes and Point Vicente. Private and party boats working out of San Pedro are reporting limits of bass, with the bonus of some nice-sized barracuda and a handful of bonito moving through. Offshore, Catalina is showing steady action for bass and barracuda as well, with the occasional yellowtail teasing anglers chasing paddies, though the yellowtail bite isn’t wide open yet[2][3].

Surf anglers are finding good numbers of perch and the occasional halibut in the shallows, especially early or late in the day. Halibut action is improving with a mix of shorts and keepers on sandy beaches near Dockweiler and Will Rogers. Anglers tossing swimbaits and hard jerkbaits in the troughs and along drop-offs have been getting bit. Live bait like anchovies and small sardines are outperforming artificial lures when available, but a 3-4 inch white or sardine-pattern soft plastic on a leadhead has been a solid backup all week.

Pier regulars at Manhattan and Redondo have seen good action on mackerel, smelt, and some jacksmelt. Sabiki rigs tipped with small pieces of squid are producing steady bites, and the occasional legal halibut has been taken on live bait under sliding sinker rigs.

Best lures right now are natural-colored swimbaits and shallow-running hardbaits for bass and halibut, along with chrome or blue surface irons for barracuda and the random yellowtail near kelp edges[2]. Cut squid or fresh anchovy on a dropper rig will get you in the game for perch or croaker off the beach.

A couple of hot spots to focus on today are the rocks and kelp line at Rocky Point near Palos Verdes for bass and barracuda, and the surf zone near Dockweiler Beach in the early morning for halibut and perch. Both spots have been consistent all week and should fish well with today’s tidal swing.

That’s your local report. Tight lines and see you on the water.

This is Artificial Lure with your fishing report for the Los Angeles area on May 12, 2025. Today, anglers can expect mild weather with mostly clear skies and light breezes, typical for this time of year in Southern California. Sunrise was around 6:02 AM and sunset will be approximately 7:50 PM, giving plenty of daylight for a full day on the water. Tide-wise, early morning has a low tide shortly after sunrise, with a prime incoming tide building through mid-morning, which is usually great for fishing nearshore and around harbor entrances.

Fishing reports from Marina Del Rey, Long Beach, and San Pedro show steady action, especially for bottom-dwelling species. Recent catches have included good numbers of rockfish—several boats reported hundreds of these in half to three-quarter day trips—along with whitefish, lingcod, sheephead, and a few halibut and calico bass in the mix. Red snapper are also being caught in San Pedro, adding variety to the lineup. The rockfish bite is solid, particularly near rocky reefs and kelp beds offshore.

Best lures currently are small to medium-sized jigs and soft plastics in natural colors that mimic local baitfish. For bottom fishing, live bait like anchovies or sardines is highly effective, especially when paired with a sliding sinker rig. For those targeting halibut and lingcod, try dropper loop rigs with live bait or squid strips. Surface iron lures and slow-trolled sardines have been good choices for working yellowtail near structure, though the yellowtail bite is still warming up this season.

Hot spots to consider include the rocky areas off Marina Del Rey and the reefs near San Pedro’s 22nd Street Landing. Both spots have produced consistent bottom fish and occasional yellowtail or calico bass in recent outings. Long Beach harbor edges also show promise for sculpin and sheephead.

In summary, this week the focus should be on rockfish and bottom species with a side chance at halibut and lingcod. Use natural bait and jigs around reefs and kelp, and keep an eye out for yellowtail near structure if you feel like venturing a bit offshore. The incoming tide mid-morning will bring fish closer to shore, so plan your fishing schedule accordingly.

Tight lines out there, folks—Los Angeles waters are holding some nice opportunities right now, so get out there and enjoy the spring bite. This is Artificial Lure signing off.

Hello anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming at you with the latest fishing report for Los Angeles and surrounding waters on this fine Sunday morning, May 11th.

The tides are running moderate today with a morning high around 5:30 AM and a low tide coming in around noon. Sunrise hit at 5:56 AM and we'll see sunset at 7:42 PM, giving us plenty of daylight hours on the water.

Weather's looking cooperative with temps in the mid-70s and light westerly winds under partly cloudy skies - pretty much perfect fishing conditions if you ask me.

Let me tell you, the bite has been hot! Recent reports show impressive catches throughout the LA area. The party boats have been crushing it, with the Pursuit out of 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro bringing in 5 halibut, 15 sculpin, 220 rockfish and 60 red snapper with just 30 anglers on board during a full day trip last Saturday[1]. That's some serious action!

The Victory out of Long Beach had 15 anglers land 75 sculpin, 12 sheephead, 20 whitefish, and 150 rockfish on their 3/4 day trip[1]. Meanwhile, the Spitfire from Marina Del Rey has been finding halibut, with 10 flatties landed on their last trip[1].

For you halibut hunters, slow-trolled sardines and mackerel have been the ticket, especially around structure and the flats. The Todos Santos area has been producing nice halibut action with mini mackerel in the shallow range[2].

Bass fishing remains solid with most fish now in post-spawn mode. Water temps are pushing into the high 60s, but that hasn't slowed the bite[4]. Try Senkos and dropshot rigs with Roboworms around shoreline structure for best results.

Hot spots this week include the Rockpile near Coronado Islands for a mix of yellowtail, sculpin, sheephead and bass[2]. Closer to home, check out Imperial Beach pier where no license is required - the Solunar Table predicts excellent fishing through May 12th[2].

For those targeting rockfish, the deeper waters toward Rosarito are producing, and Marina Del Rey boats are finding consistent action - the New Del Mar landed 375 rockfish with 47 anglers on their half-day trip[1].

Bait-wise, live sardines and anchovies are always effective, but don't overlook artificial options like yoyo and surface irons for yellowtail. For rockfish, try squid strips on dropper loops.

That's the scoop for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and don't forget to release what you don't need for the table!

Good morning, anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Los Angeles area fishing report for Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Today is shaping up to be a classic SoCal spring day. Sunrise hit at 5:52 am with sunset expected around 7:45 pm—just in time to maximize those evening bites. Weather is looking mild, with daytime highs in the mid-70s and only a light breeze expected. Right now, the tides are cooperating nicely: we’re on a moderate morning high tide, giving coastal structure and pier anglers a shot at early feeding fish.

Saltwater action has been solid all week. Marina del Rey boats are returning to the docks loaded with rockfish, whitefish, and the occasional lingcod. The New Del Mar scored a whopping 425 rockfish and 33 whitefish on a half-day run, and the Spitfire came in with a few nice halibut and a bonus sand bass. Down in Long Beach, the Victory put 330 rockfish and 165 sculpin on the deck for its anglers, with some sheephead and whitefish mixed in. San Pedro’s boats are picking away at calico bass, red snapper, and plenty of whitefish and sculpin, with Monte Carlo boating 85 rockfish and 5 whitefish on a short morning trip. Calico bass catches are heating up, though a lot are being released for size[1].

If you’re shore-bound, local piers like Redondo and Venice have been productive early and late. Mackerel and perch are willing, with a few legal halibut showing under the right conditions. The incoming tide near structure is your best bet.

Best lures right now are plastics for bass—think swimbaits in anchovy or sardine patterns, and 3 to 4 inch curly tails. Dropper loop rigs tipped with squid or fresh anchovy continue to hammer rockfish and whitefish on the bottom. For halibut, Carolina rigs with live sardines or a jerk shad in smelt color are getting bites. Offshore and kayak anglers are scoring with metal jigs in 2 to 4 ounces for deeper rockfish.

For freshwater, trout reports are still notable in stocked lakes just outside the city, especially after a recent plant. Hemet, for example, has been wide open for rainbows on PowerBait and nightcrawlers. Bass activity is picking up too—try Senkos or dropshot Roboworms along the shoreline[3].

This weekend’s hot spots: Marina del Rey for bottom species and a shot at halibut, Long Beach breakwall for bass and sculpin, and the Santa Monica Pier for a mix of surface and bottom fish at dawn and dusk.

That’s your May 10th report. Tight lines and enjoy that prime spring bite!

Good morning Southern California anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Los Angeles area fishing report for Friday, May 9th, 2025.

Sunrise is hitting around 5:55 AM, with sunset expected at 7:46 PM, giving us plenty of daylight on the water. The weather this week has been classic spring SoCal: cool mornings and evenings, sometimes a touch breezy, so pack a light jacket for those early starts. Daytime highs are settling nicely into the low to mid-80s, perfect fishing weather unless the wind kicks up, which has been off and on. When it’s calm, the ocean is postcard pretty, but if the breeze picks up, expect a little chop and possible whitecaps[1][5].

Tidewise, we’re looking at an early morning high tide tapering to a moderate afternoon low. That means best fish activity will be on the moving tides, especially around sunrise and a couple hours before sunset, so plan your prime fishing windows accordingly.

The bite around Los Angeles has been steady, with impressive counts coming off the local party boats this week. Out of Marina Del Rey, boats like the Spitfire and New Del Mar are hauling in halibut, lingcod, sand bass, and solid numbers of rockfish and whitefish[2][4]. The Spitfire yesterday reported 10 halibut and a couple lingcod on a three-quarter-day trip, while the New Del Mar put 375 rockfish on deck in just a half day[4].

Down in Long Beach and San Pedro, the Victory and Pursuit are loading up on sculpin, sheephead, whitefish, and red snapper. Overnight trips have produced nice catches of halibut, sheephead, and even a stray white seabass for the lucky few[4].

For those looking for the hot spots, Marina Del Rey’s reefs and drop-offs are delivering—both live and cut bait are working, but fresh-cut squid and sardines have been producing the best results for rockfish and whitefish. Halibut are falling for mini-mackerel and anchovies on a sliding sinker, especially on the early tide. Long Beach breakwall and the kelp beds off Palos Verdes are also worth a shot, especially for calico bass and sheephead[3].

Artificial lures like swimbaits in sardine or anchovy colors, chrome jigs, and leadheads tipped with squid are all proven producers right now. If you’re targeting lingcod or big rockfish, don’t be shy about dropping a heavier jig to the bottom.

Final word: the bite is on if you hit the tides right. Dress in layers, bring a mix of bait and lures, and focus on structure for the best action. Hot spots to consider today are the deep reefs off Marina Del Rey and the rocky bottom around San Pedro’s 22nd Street Landing. Good luck out there—tight lines!