UTERRockfish fishing in Southern California
In Southern California, rockfish peak April–November and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Shelf rockfish on the 200–300 ft banks; yellowtail-day backups.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Rockfish in Southern California, month by month
- JanuaryAroundBoat groundfish closed part of the winter in the Southern area — check CDFW.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArrivingSeason opens: vermilion, copper and blue rockfish on the deep reefs off the islands.
- AprilPeakSeabass and spring yellowtail at the islands; calicos wake up. Yo-yo iron and squid for yellows at Catalina and San Clemente; swimbaits along the kelp for calicos.
- MayPeak
- JunePeakShelf rockfish on the 200–300 ft banks; yellowtail-day backups.
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeakLast of the open season.
- DecemberAround
Where to fish rockfish near San Diego, Dana Point, Long Beach
A sheltered bight of kelp forests, sand flats and harbors, with the Channel Islands, Catalina and San Clemente 20–60 miles out and the offshore banks (Tanner, Cortes, the 9-Mile, the 43) beyond. The long-range sportboat fleet out of San Diego is its heart.
Fish Scouter charts 227 wreck, 76 artificial reef, 16 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Southern California Bight map area — the kinds rockfish hold on.
What to use for rockfish
- SquidStrips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig.
- Anchovies (Pacific)Nose- or collar-hooked on a #4 to 1/0 hook and fly-lined with no weight, or on a dropper loop; a dozen tossed over the side as chum keeps the bass and bonito up.
- HerringCut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run.
- Leader30–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook2/0–7/0
- Braid30–65 lb
Feeds in 44–62°F water, best at 48–56°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch rockfish in Southern California?
Peak season is April–November. Rockfish are here year-round. June: Shelf rockfish on the 200–300 ft banks; yellowtail-day backups.
Where do rockfish hold in Southern California?
Look on artificial reef, ledge / hard bottom, wreck, fishing pier — around San Diego, Dana Point, Long Beach, Marina del Rey, Oxnard, Santa Barbara.
What is the best bait for rockfish in Southern California?
Live bait: squid, anchovies (pacific), herring. Squid: Strips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig. Tackle: leader 30–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 2/0–7/0, braid 30–65 lb.
What are the rules for rockfish in Southern California?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores rockfish for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about rockfish · Southern California Bight, the whole year