Where San Pedro and Long Beach boats run for yellowtail
Yellowtail fishing out of San Pedro and Long Beach centers on Catalina Island and the offshore banks. If you run your own boat, the fleet’s schedule is the clearest map of where the fish get worked.
Catalina Island
Catalina Island is a primary destination for the port’s yellowtail trips. El Patron advertises a Full Day Catalina Island Freelance trip, which shows that part of the fleet treats Catalina as a day-trip target.
The offshore banks
The fleet also runs to the offshore banks. These are the longer trips, matching the overnight and 1.5-day formats below.
Reading trip lengths
The fleet runs 3/4-day, overnight and 1.5-day trips. They work as a range ladder: the longer formats fish beyond what a 3/4-day boat reaches.
- 3/4-day: the short end of the ladder
- Overnight: reaches farther out
- 1.5-day: the longest format the port advertises
Seasonal movement and biology are covered in our California yellowtail guide. A 3/4-day trip is one way to see where the fleet works before you run your own boat.
Grounds and structure that hold them
The port’s fishing points to three kinds of structure: Horseshoe Kelp, the wrecks and oil rigs off Long Beach, and the offshore banks. For grounds beyond this port, see the Southern California yellowtail picture (see also the Pacific Southwest region guide).
The structure close to the harbor is separate from the Catalina and bank runs, which the fleet works on longer trip formats. Which suits your boat and your day is your call.
Horseshoe Kelp
Horseshoe Kelp is a named local ground for this port, and the first kelp ground the fishery points to.
Wrecks and rigs off Long Beach
Wrecks and oil rigs off Long Beach are local yellowtail structure, giving you fixed marks to work.
Offshore banks
The offshore banks are offshore structure, reached on the longer trips described above.
How the port fishes them, and who runs trips
The trips advertised for yellowtail and the charters that list the species show how the port approaches the fishery.
Trips advertised for yellowtail
Two trips stand out:
- Victory: 3/4 Day
- El Patron: Full Day Catalina Island Freelance
"Freelance" appears in the El Patron trip name.
Charters that list yellowtail
These operators list California yellowtail:
- Freedom, 22nd Street Landing (Captains Tino Valentine and Chris Isaac)
- Long Beach Sportfishing (Berth 55): Long Beach Sportfishing at Berth 55
- Pierpoint Landing: Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach
- Gail Force, LA Waterfront Cruises and Sportfishing (Captain Jared Mallot)
- Sport King (Captain Anthony Ortiz)
Riding one of these boats is a good way to learn where the fleet works.
FAQ: California yellowtail fishing out of San Pedro and Long Beach
Where do local boats go for yellowtail?
The fleet runs to Catalina Island and the offshore banks. Catalina is also fished as a full-day trip, while the banks are reached on the longer formats.
What structure near the harbor holds them?
Horseshoe Kelp and the wrecks and oil rigs off Long Beach, the named local structure for this port.
What trip lengths does the fleet run?
The fleet runs 3/4-day, overnight and 1.5-day trips. Examples are the Victory 3/4 Day and the El Patron Full Day Catalina Island Freelance.
Which charters list yellowtail?
Freedom (22nd Street Landing), Long Beach Sportfishing (Berth 55), Pierpoint Landing, Gail Force (LA Waterfront Cruises and Sportfishing) and Sport King all list California yellowtail.
Where can I read about other offshore gamefish?
Our coastal and offshore gamefish guides cover the other species the Southern California fleet fishes.
