Today, April 9, 2025, fishing in and around Los Angeles has been a mixed bag with a variety of opportunities along the coast and in local freshwater spots. Let’s dive into the report.

The weather has been favorable today, with temperatures in the mid-70s and sunny skies. A light breeze has kept conditions comfortable for anglers, though it’s worth noting that the wind picked up near the coastal areas in the afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:29 AM, and sunset is expected at 7:21 PM, giving anglers plenty of daylight to reel in those catches. The tidal movements show a mid-morning high tide, which provided productive fishing windows, especially along the surf.

Fishing activity in the surf zone has been steady. Barred surf perch bites have been reported consistently throughout the day using Berkeley Gulp camo sand worms and soft-shell sand crabs as bait. These are proving to be the go-to choices for the surf, attracting perch, corbina, and croaker. A few anglers have also landed halibut using jerkbaits like the Lucky Craft SW Flash Minnow 110 and Calissa Surf Jerkbait, particularly during the rising tide periods.

For inshore fishing, anglers targeting halibut and yellowfin croaker had success with artificial lures such as the Live Target Croaker Swimbait and Savage Gear Glass Minnow. These baits worked well near the sandy bottoms and rocky structures. In addition, ghost shrimp and bloodworms have been highly effective for targeting larger predators, though they can be pricey and sometimes tricky to source.

Freshwater fishing enthusiasts visiting spots like Castaic Lake and Lake Piru in the Los Angeles area have reported moderate success. Bass bites have been consistent using soft plastics like Roboworms in Aaron’s Magic or Oxblood colors, fished weightless or with light Texas rigs. Bluegill and crappie are also active, with mealworms and small jigs being the best baits.

Here are two recommended hotspots to hit:

1. **Dockweiler State Beach** – The surf fishing here has been productive, especially for barred surf perch and the occasional corbina. Use soft-shell sand crabs or camo sand worms near the breaking waves for the best action.

2. **Castaic Lake** – A great freshwater destination, offering largemouth bass and trout fishing. Try fishing the coves early in the morning with jerkbaits or soft plastics for the best results.

Whether you’re hitting the surf or staying inland, be sure to bring the right bait and keep an eye on changing conditions. It’s been a solid day for anglers across Los Angeles, and the evening bite might just surprise you with a memorable catch. Tight lines!