This page covers mahi-mahi, also called dorado, fished out of San Pedro and Long Beach. The two ports share one breakwater-protected bay, and the documented dorado fishing from them is thin. For the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors, see the San Pedro and Long Beach port page. For identification and biology, see the mahi-mahi fishing guide.
When mahi-mahi are around San Pedro and Long Beach
No season is verified for dorado out of these ports. The evidence is one local account of dorado around Catalina and a current trip listing that names dorado as a target. Across Southern California, dorado come in late summer and fall in warm-water years, so a warm year is the one to watch. For the wider region, see the Southern California mahi-mahi guide (see also the Pacific Southwest region guide).
Where boats run
The Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors have separate seaward entrances about four miles apart, joined inside by Cerritos Channel. The Los Angeles entrance is Angels Gate, and the Long Beach entrance is Queens Gate. Catalina Island lies across San Pedro Channel. The fishing described for dorado is in the Catalina waters near or just off the island and on a ground called the Shelf, and neither has a bearing or distance in the documentation.
A Precautionary Area off both entrances carries boats in and out of the harbors. In the narrow channels, vessels fishing are not to impede larger traffic that can only use the channel. Keep well clear of the entrance line while large vessels pass, and remember that small craft lights can be hard to pick out against the harbor lights at night. Check conditions yourself before the crossing.
Grounds and structure
The two named dorado areas are the Catalina waters and the Shelf, with no bearing or distance given for either. Tanner Bank and Cortes Bank are documented as local banks that port boats fish, but neither is named for dorado. Horseshoe Kelp, just outside the breakwater, is fished for sand bass, calico bass and rockfish.
How mahi-mahi are fished out of San Pedro and Long Beach
The one documented dorado method from the area is fly-lining a nose-hooked mackerel on 20-pound line, described for the Catalina waters. The general approach applies beyond that. Look for birds and bait on floating kelp, pitch or troll to fish that come up, and keep one hooked fish in the water beside the boat so the school stays near.
Who fishes them
Freedom, which fishes from 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro, is documented with an overnight trip that targets dorado. The landing’s site, at 22ndstreet.com, lists tuna, yellowtail and dorado among its targets. No dorado tournament is documented for these ports.
FAQ
Where do San Pedro boats find dorado?
The documented grounds are the Catalina waters and the Shelf, with no bearing or distance given. Check the water temperature and the floating weed before you run.
Is there a dorado charter here?
Freedom at 22nd Street Landing is documented with an overnight trip that targets dorado.
When is the season?
No season is verified for the ports. Across the region, dorado come in late summer and fall in warm-water years.
