California yellowtail fishing out of Two Harbors starts minutes from Isthmus Cove and runs west along Catalina’s hard bottom to the backside west end. This briefing is for an angler running their own boat. It covers when the fish are around, the run order from Two Harbors, depths in feet and fathoms, two coordinate pairs, and the local crank-count drill. For the wider Catalina and mainland context, see the Southern California picture (see also the Pacific Southwest region guide).
When yellowtail are around Two Harbors
The season at Two Harbors runs spring to fall. The California yellowtail species guide covers the fish itself; this section covers the local calendar.
- Season: spring to fall
- Skiff rentals: Memorial Weekend to Labor Day weekend only
- Source: Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center
Spring to fall
The Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center lists yellowtail among the fish for shore and skiff anglers, so the fish are within reach of the harbor and not only at the far ends of the island.
Skiff rental window
Skiffs rent from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day weekend, per the Dive & Recreation Center. If you rent one, stay on the grounds minutes from Two Harbors: Isthmus High Spot, Ship Rock and Eagle Reef.
Where boats run from the Isthmus
The run goes from close to far. First come the Isthmus spots minutes from Two Harbors, then the hard bottom west along Black Rock to Johnson’s Rock, then West Cove on the Cat Harbor side, and finally the backside west end.
| Ground | Depth ft (fathoms) | Location note |
|---|---|---|
| Isthmus High Spot | 39 to 60 (6.5 south side to 10 north side) | 33 27 15N / 118 29 25W |
| Black Rock to Johnson’s Rock | 60 to 100 (10 to 17) | Hard bottom, West End |
| Eagle Rock (backside) | Not listed | 33 28 20N / 118 36 20W |
Mark both positions on your plotter, or check the depths against the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Isthmus High Spot
The High Spot sits in about 39 to 60 ft (6.5 fathoms on the south side to 10 on the north side), at 33 27 15N / 118 29 25W per the frontside guide. It is minutes from Two Harbors.
Ship Rock and Bird Rock
Ship Rock sits just off Isthmus Cove, near Bird Rock, which is also off the cove. Ship Rock is minutes from Two Harbors.
Eagle Reef and Harbor Reef
Eagle Reef is minutes from Two Harbors. Harbor Reef is another named reef near the harbor.
Black Rock to Johnson’s Rock
This is the run west from the Isthmus spots. The hard bottom here sits at about 60 to 100 ft (10 to 17 fathoms), West End.
West Cove and Eagle Rock
Eagle Rock (backside) sits at 33 28 20N / 118 36 20W, with West Cove just south of it on the Cat Harbor side. This is the second position to mark.
The backside west end
This is the far end of the run, where surface iron and yo-yo iron are fished.
How yellowtail are fished here
Local methods follow the geography: iron on the backside west end, and a deep drill for fish holding near bottom.
Surface iron
Surface iron is a local method on the backside west end.
Yo-yo iron
Yo-yo iron is the other local method on the backside west end. For fish holding deep, use the drill below.
The deep drill
A west end harbor patrolman describes fishing seabass as "identical to fishing for deep yellowtail." The drill:
- Drop to bottom.
- Wind up 6 to 10 cranks.
- Free spool.
The same drill covers white seabass on the same water.
Who fishes yellowtail out of Two Harbors
Own-boat anglers work the full run, from the Isthmus spots to the backside west end. Skiff renters work the grounds minutes from the harbor during the rental window. Shore anglers fish here too, since the Dive & Recreation Center lists yellowtail for shore anglers. If you work other species on the same trip, the coastal and offshore gamefish guides cover them.
FAQ about yellowtail fishing at Two Harbors
How deep is Isthmus High Spot?
About 39 to 60 ft (6.5 fathoms on the south side to 10 on the north side), at 33 27 15N / 118 29 25W per the frontside guide.
Where do boats fish yellowtail near Two Harbors?
Boats work from close to far. Isthmus High Spot, Ship Rock and Eagle Reef come first, minutes from the harbor. From there the run goes west along Black Rock to Johnson’s Rock, then to West Cove on the Cat Harbor side, then the backside west end.
Can you rent a skiff at Two Harbors for fishing?
Yes, from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day weekend only, per the Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center. The closest grounds are minutes from the harbor.
When is yellowtail season at Two Harbors?
Spring to fall. The Dive & Recreation Center lists yellowtail among the fish for shore and skiff anglers.
How do anglers fish deep yellowtail at Catalina’s west end?
A west end harbor patrolman gives the drill: drop to bottom, wind up 6 to 10 cranks, free spool. Surface iron and yo-yo iron are fished on the backside west end.
Is there a NOAA buoy for Two Harbors?
No buoy is named for Two Harbors. Use the NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period.
