Striped marlin fishing out of Avalon runs from late summer into fall, on grounds close to Catalina Island. This page covers when the fish are here, where boats run, the structure that helps orient your chart, and how the fish are fished locally. It gives you a place to start looking, not a promise of fish. Species behavior and tackle are in our striped marlin guide.
When Striped Marlin Are Here
The window is late summer into fall, and the sources disagree on its edges, so plan around where they overlap.
July through October
FishingBooker’s Catalina season window runs July through October. AllWater lists marlin in August and September. The overlap of those two windows is the core of the season.
September
Salt Water Sportsman says September has historically been the best month. If you can pick only one month for a trip, choose September.
For the wider timing picture along the coast, see striped marlin fishing in the Pacific Southwest (see also the Pacific Southwest region guide).
Where Boats Run for Striped Marlin Out of Avalon
Four destinations anchor the runs: Avalon Bank, the offshore banks southeast of the island (including the 152 bank), The Slide, and the backside. Check the NWS marine forecast for Catalina before you run, and go by the official numbers.
Avalon Bank
The Avalon Bank high spot sits near Catalina and is the first name most boats work.
The 152 bank
The 152 bank is one of the offshore banks southeast of the island.
The Slide
The Slide is a ridge off the southeastern end of the island.
The backside
Fish were found feeding in 100 ft of water off the backside of Catalina. Marlin here don’t always hold in deep water, so work the shallow structure on the way out.
Grounds and Structure Near Avalon
These named grounds and reference structures help you place yourself on the chart. None of them is presented as a proven marlin spot.
| Name | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Church Rock | 65 ft | Reference structure |
| Farnsworth Bank | 55 ft | Reference structure |
| Hen Rock | 80 ft | Reference structure |
| Avalon Bank | High spot near Catalina | |
| The Slide | Ridge off the southeastern end | |
| The Ridge | Extends east off the island’s east end | |
| Silver Canyon sand flats | ||
| Long Point SMR | State marine reserve; check boundaries |
If you already know Church Rock, Farnsworth Bank and Hen Rock, use them to orient the banks and ridges on the chart. We’d read the banks and ridges on the Chart Contours layer before the run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How Striped Marlin Are Fished Here
The sequence on the water goes: look, troll, drop back or cast, sight cast.
Birds and bait
Start by looking for birds and bait on the surface. Marlin Magazine’s rule is to find the birds and bait, since the marlin won’t be far behind.
Trolling with a live bait ready
Troll lures or jigs with a live mackerel ready to drop back or cast to a fish raised behind the boat. The bait is what turns a raised fish into a hookup, so have it in the tank before the first lure goes out.
Sight casting
Anglers sight cast in September and October, per FishingBooker. That lines up with September being the best month on record.
Who Fishes for Them
This page is written for anglers who run their own boat from Avalon and plan the trip themselves. If you would rather fish with a guide, start with our billfish fishing guides.
FAQ: Striped Marlin Out of Avalon
When is striped marlin fishing out of Avalon best?
The window is late summer into fall. FishingBooker gives July through October, and AllWater lists August and September. Salt Water Sportsman says September has historically been the best month.
Where do boats run from Avalon for striped marlin?
Boats run to Avalon Bank, a high spot near Catalina, and to the offshore banks southeast of the island, including the 152 bank. They also work The Slide, the ridge off the southeastern end, and the backside.
How deep were fish found off the backside?
Fish were found feeding in about 100 ft of water off the backside of Catalina.
What bait is kept ready while trolling?
A live mackerel is kept ready to drop back or cast to a raised fish while you troll lures or jigs.
When do anglers sight cast?
Anglers sight cast in September and October, per FishingBooker.
