The fishing scene around Los Angeles is shaping up nicely today, Monday, April 14, 2025. Here's a breakdown of current conditions, fish activity, and some top recommendations for anglers heading out.
The sunrise today was at 6:23 AM, with sunset expected at 7:28 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to reel in a great catch. The weather is mild, with clear skies and temperatures hovering between 58°F in the morning and climbing to about 72°F by midday—ideal conditions for fishing both onshore and offshore. Winds are light, around 5-8 mph, ensuring calm waters and better lure performance.
**Tides and Conditions:**
The morning high tide peaked around 4:45 AM, and the low tide will follow at approximately 11:15 AM. This tidal movement is perfect for targeting species like surf perch and halibut along the beaches, as they tend to feed actively during these transitions.
**Recently Caught and Active Fish:**
Local anglers report strong activity among surf perch, spotted bay bass, halibut, and corbina in the surf zones. Halibut have been particularly active near inshore drop-offs and sandy areas, with a few sizable catches. In dock and pier areas, mackerel and the occasional rockfish have been landed.
**Best Baits and Lures:**
For surf fishing, Berkley Gulp! Sand Worms in camo or motor oil colors are fantastic, especially for surf perch. Ghost shrimp and soft-shell sand crabs are also exceptional live bait choices for halibut and corbina, with the latter being particularly effective when targeting larger fish. If you’re using artificial lures for halibut, the Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110 and the Savage Gear Glass Minnow in smaller sizes (around 3-4 inches) have proven reliable.
In deeper waters or jetties, try using hard baits like the Daiwa Salt Pro Minnow for bigger species. If you’re fishing freshwater lakes nearby, such as Castaic Lake or Pyramid Lake, darker soft plastics like oxblood worms or Aaron’s Magic have been working wonders for largemouth bass.
**Hot Spots to Explore:**
1. **Santa Monica Pier and Beaches:** A consistent producer of surf perch, corbina, and halibut. The sandy bottoms here are a haven for several species.
2. **Marina del Rey Jetty:** Great for targeting spotted bay bass, calico bass, and halibut using jerkbaits or live ghost shrimp.
3. **Cabrillo Beach:** Known for solid surf perch action and occasional corbina.
**Tips for Success:**
- Early morning and late afternoon are prime times for bites due to optimal light levels and fish activity.
- Use light line setups, especially in clear water conditions, to avoid spooking fish.
- Don’t overlook artificial lures; they often match or exceed the performance of live bait when presented correctly.
Grab your gear, hit a local tackle shop like Tackle Shack USA in Sylmar for fresh bait and supplies, and enjoy another rewarding day of fishing along the beautiful Los Angeles coastline! Tight lines and happy fishing!