Artificial Lure here with your Los Angeles fishing report for Monday, May 26, 2025.

The sun rose this morning at about 5:44 AM and will set around 7:54 PM, giving anglers a solid window for both early and late-day bites. Weather’s looking typically friendly for SoCal—clear skies, mild to moderate westerly breezes, and an air temp hovering in the mid-70s throughout the day. Water clarity has improved since the early May rains, with inshore conditions stabilizing and more baitfish moving in.

Tidal conditions today are in our favor for most of the day. A strong morning high tide peaked before sunrise, and we’re seeing an outgoing tide through midday, perfect for working the edges and mouths of local harbors and estuaries.

In terms of fish activity, it’s been a strong weekend run for halibut and seabass—reports from boats working Santa Monica Bay, the Palos Verdes kelp line, and Long Beach spots like the breakwater say over 40 flatties and white seabass were landed in the last few days, many in the legal range with a few nice kickers[1]. Sand bass and spotted bay bass have been biting well, especially on moving tides and at first light[2][3]. Pier and surf anglers have found croaker, barred surfperch, and the occasional short halibut—best in the early morning or on the evening incoming tide[4].

For bait and lures, you can’t go wrong with fin bait like sardines or anchovies if you can get them—local hooper nets and sabiki rigs have been productive around the piers. Artificial anglers have scored on white or sardine-pattern swimbaits, 3-5 inch Keitech or similar soft plastics, especially when bounced slowly along the bottom. For bass and croaker, Gulp! Sandworms and camo grubs on a Carolina rig have been killer. For the seabass, try a dropper loop with fresh squid, and for halibut, a slow retrieve with a fluke or paddle-tail will sometimes outfish bait.

Hotspots today: Give Cabrillo Beach Pier a go for a shot at a big halibut or sand bass on the outgoing tide. Marina del Rey’s main channel and jetty edges have been holding good numbers of spotted bay bass and the occasional keeper halibut. If you’re up for some travel, the kelp off Palos Verdes has been producing seabass at dawn for those trolling or drifting with live bait.

Stripers have been quiet, but with warming trends and clean afternoon tides, expect more consistent perch and croaker in the surf and perhaps a surprise early-season yellowtail for boaters trolling irons beyond the kelp.

Tight lines out there—see you on the water.