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Fishing Hotspots


These are just some areas that we like to fish, if there is something that you don't see here~~~~~` then it isn't here and you won't find it here on this page , so then it's not here! ~~OK ? ~~~~~~~"OK!"
 
  • Finger Bank - Lower 31° 40.00' 116° 52.00' 
  • Finger Bank - Upper 32° 04.00' 117° 03.00' 
  • 1010 trench ~~31.42 and 117.40 , 31.42 and 117.38 ( 60 miles from Pt. Loma on a 188 heading ) , say 3 hours and 30 minutes nonstop at 17 knots. Just above the 51 Fathom spot by a few miles and to the west of the 231 Fathom spot by approx 7-10 miles.
  • Todos Santos Islando- (Northwest light) 31.48.98 116.49.16 
  • San Martin Island- 30.29.05 116.06.94 
  • Butterfly Bank 32.22.00 118.15.00 
  • 295 Fathom Spot 31.35.00 117.24.00 
  • 213 Fathom bank 31.47.00 117.53.00 
  • Airplane Bank 31.35.00 117.39.00 
  • 425 Fathom spot, 32.15.00 117.23.00 
  • Rockpile , 32.17.00 117.09.50 
  • 302 Fathom Spot (Kidney banks) 32.44.50 117.47.80 
  • 181 Fathom spot, (approx 30 miles form Point Loma)32.54.40 117.53.00 
  • 182 Fathom spot, 32.41.60 117.42.40 
  • 30 Mile bank, 32.47.50 117.46.60 
  • 43 Fathom Spot 32.39.36 117.58.13 
  • 209 Fathom Spot , (off Oceanside and below Catalina) 33.05.62 117.52.28(Marlin , tuna) 
  • 277 Fathom Spot, Below Catalina, 33.11.90 118.04.72(Great Marlin spot , tuna also) 
  • Pyramid Head , (San Clemente Island) 32.48.92 118.21.25 
  • China Point, ( 32.48.00 118.25.50 
  • Tanner Banks high spot-(approx. 100 miles from Point Loma) 32.42.35 119.08.01 
  • Cortezzzzzzzz Bank 32.26.66 119.06.65(approx. 100 miles from Point Loma also) 
  • San Onofre (nuclear Power plant) 33.21.60 117.33.60 


ALL DIRECTIONS FROM MISSION BAY JETTY, TRAVELING AT 18 KNOTS
 

  • 213 FATHOM SPOT 195 DEGREES 65 MILES, 3 HR 35 MINUTES 
  • DOUBLE 220 FATHOM SPOT 173 DEGREES 68 MILES, 4 HOURS 
  • 371 FATHOM SPOT 193 DEGREES 33 MILES , 1 HR 50 MINUTES 
  • 302 FATHOM SPOT 207 DEGREES 25 MILES, 1 HR 25 MINUTES 
  • 43 FATHOM SPOT 247 DEGREES 36 MILES , 2 HOURS 
  • 182 FATHOM SPOT 246 DEGREES 23 MILES , 1 HR 20 MINUTES (ON THE WAY TO THE 43 FATHOM SPOT) 
  • 181 FATHOM SPOT 272 DEGREES 33 MILES, 1 HR 50 MINUTES(has been inconsistant) 
  • Southern California's hot spots 


1.Church Rock/Seal Rocks

Just 26 miles from both Newport beach and Long beach an area known as the East End of Catalina Island encompasses the area from the Southern California Edison power plant east of Avalon and east to Church Rock at Catalina's southeast point. Most schools of migrating fish from Mexico, such as barracuda, white seabass, and yellowtail, make their debut in local waters here and many stay for long periods. The power plant, which provides all electricity for the island, is often a fine fishing spot for a variety of species. The underwater seamount off the rock face just east of the plant is a good holding ground for migratory fish, such as yellowtail and white seabass. Kelp beds along the shoreline between the power plant and Seal Rocks at the northeast corner of the island sometimes provide good fishing for kelp bass, yellowtail, barracuda and white seabass. Anglers should be cautious in the area of the active rock quarry midway, as tugs and barges often traverse the area hauling rock an fill dirt to the mainland. The tip of Seal Rocks is a good fishing spot for yellowtail, white seabass and barracuda. There is an offshore reef covered with kelp midway between Seal Rocks and Church Rock underneath a flashing white navigation light halfway up the East End. It is usually a good spot for white seabass. 


2.Pyramid Head 

Located at the eastern end of San Clemente Island, "The Head" is so named for the pyramid rock formation from which it is formed. There is a sharply pointed reef here, which juts eastward into deep water and is covered by a heavy kelp bed. The north side of " The Head" is a well known fishing area that often yields yellowtail and calico bass. The bottom drops quickly to depths sufficient for a number of varieties of rockfish. Fishing is best here when there is a strong current running to the east. During late summer and early fall, the area east of " The Head" is known for marlin, tuna and swordfish, especially at the 43 Fathom Spot located just a little.

more than 20 miles to the southeast. Exercise caution as the shoreline is a Navy practice bombing range. For schedules and permitted fishing/anchoring periods and locations, contact the island's security office at (619) 524-9214. 


3.San Diego's Point Loma 

Located in the sovereign waters of Mexico but just 16 miles from San Diego's Point Loma, this three island archipelago has provided great fishing for recreational anglers since the 1930s.Yellowtail,tuna and even marlin sometimes can be found here. Yellowtail can also be found on both the lee and the weather sides of the island. Nearby to the southeast, Coronado Medio, the middle island, has a 10-12 foot fathom rocky reef that provides good fishing for yellowtail, as does the lee side of the island. Coronado Sur, a few miles farther to the southeast, is the largest in the chain and has the only inhabitants - mostly native fishermen and their families. On the lee side of the island, anglers will find yellowtail and halibut. A very large kelp bed extends to the south and is a good spot for white seabass, barracuda and yellowtail. 


4.Farnsworth Bank 

Located about a mile and a half south of Ben Watson Point on the weather side of Catalina Island, this bank is difficult to locate without navigation and sonar equipment, as it only rises to within 8 fathoms at its shallowest and consists of a number of rocky pinnacles. It is home to a resident population of yellowtail, which knows every rock and is therefore hard to land unless heavy tackle is used. A variety of bottomfish can be found here and during the early summer months, large schools of sculpin sometimes come to spawn. Nearby, some high spots are home to deepwater rockfish, while the outside of Farnsworth Bank is sometimes a good spot for marlin during summer and fall. 


5.Osborn Bank 

About 6 miles south of Santa Barbara Island, the Osborne Bank is a favorite spot for many anglers. It rises to within 19 fathoms of the surface at its shallowest and its largest area is located at about 50 fathoms. Large sand dabs can be found off the bank, while a variety of rockfish and lingcod are scattered among the rocky pinnacles that make up the bank. Yellowtail is occasionally found here and striped marlin is often taken on drifting or slowly trolled mackerel. 


6.14 Mile Bank 

Just 14 miles from the entrance to Newport Harbor. 14 Mile Bank rises to just under 350 feet of the surface from the blue water depths. While it does provide some surprising fishing for deepwater rock cod species, it is heavily fished by both commercial and recreational anglers. The 14 has long been known as a good area for marlin, when in season, as its close proximity to Pedro makes it easily accessible to a majority of Southern California anglers. 


7.Ship Rock 

The north, lees side of Catalina's Isthmus is not only a popular anchorage for boaters, but also offers some of the island's best fishing. Ship Rock is farthest offshore, in the Isthmus' center. Rising 75 feet above sea level, it is on the edge of the 100 fathom curve. Schools of pelagic fish are sometimes found here, as are white seabass. 
Bird Rick is large, low flat rock, covered with white guano, located on the east side of the Isthmus. It has large kelp bass, barracuda and yellowtail. There is a very productive area located in the middle of the Isthmus, which rises to within 6.5 fathoms of the surface out of the surrounding waters as deep as 30 fathoms. A favorite area for white seabass during spring and summer, it is also good for bluefin tuna when they migrate to local waters. 


8.Huntington Flats 

"The Flats" as this area is generally known, are compromised of shallow, offshore waters between the Huntington Beach Pier on the south, to the north end of the Bolsa Chica wetlands. It includes two offshore oil drilling platforms and a large flat bottom area from which it gets its name. It has a number of hard bottom areas and a few rock outcroppings, which hold kelp bass, sand bass, and halibut. 


9.Cortes Bank 

This is the farthest point of land off the California coastline and is claimed as US territory, with Bishop rock rising out of the sea some 100 miles offshore. Cortes Bank is 17 miles long and rises to a depth of 50 fathoms or less. It has numerous shallow pinnacles in the vicinity of Bishop Rock. Although the area is dangerous during periods of large swells and is noted for its strong currents, fishing can be excellent for many species during periods of good weather. Rockfish and lingcod can be found in the rocky areas while yellowtail, tuna and white seabass are sometimes just off the edge of the dropoffs. The area is also a favored haunt of the protected giant black seabass, and marlin and swordfish are often found here. There is no protected anchorage area - and it is not for the timid. 


10.Horseshoe Kelp 

The "Shoe" as it is called by anglers, is the closest offshore area from both Long Beach and San Pedro harbors. There is consistent summer fishing for bass, barracuda and bonito here. Despite its name, there has not been any surface kelp here for more than 50 years, to my knowledge. It covers an area from 6 to 12 miles from the San Pedro Lighthouse, south to the edge of the drop-off 
and eastward. There are a number of rocky outcroppings and hard sports on the bottom, and a number of wrecks that provide holding areas for kelp, as well as sand bass, barracuda and sometimes yellow-tail and white seabass. When the wind is against the current, it can make for a bad fishing trip. Anglers should always check the compass heading of boats already at anchor in order to anchor correctly for prevailing conditions. 
 

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