When Pacific bluefin are around Marina del Rey
Pacific bluefin fishing out of Marina del Rey has a long season, rated best from April through October. This page covers when the fish are around, where boats run, the structure near the port, how the port fishes and who runs trips for bluefin. For ramps, docks and entrance details, see the Marina del Rey port guide. For the general species picture, see the Pacific bluefin tuna guide.
The Captain Experiences seasonal calendar rates bluefin out of Marina del Rey Great from April through October and Good for the remaining months.
| Months | Rating |
|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Good |
| Apr–Oct | Great |
| Nov–Dec | Good |
A season rating is a calendar for planning runs. It says nothing about where the fish are on a given day. For how bluefin move along the coast through the year, see the Pacific Southwest bluefin guide (see also the Pacific Southwest fishing guide).
Where boats run from Marina del Rey
LA Sportfishing’s signature offshore trips target bluefin around Catalina Island, the Channel Islands and offshore banks. These are the destinations a local operator names for its bluefin trips, and none of them is a guaranteed spot.
Catalina Island
Catalina Island is the first destination LA Sportfishing names for its signature bluefin trips. Plan the run around your own boat, your fuel and the forecast.
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are the second destination on those trips. The run takes you well beyond the harbor and the bay, so plan around the buoy readings and the forecast rather than the calendar.
Offshore banks
The offshore banks are the third destination. These runs commit you to open water beyond the Santa Monica Basin, so check the buoy and the forecast before anything else.
Reading conditions at NDBC 46025
NOAA NDBC 46025 · Santa Monica Basin · 33.765 N, 119.077 W · 33 nm WSW of Santa Monica.
Read wind, wave height and period at 46025, then check the official National Weather Service marine forecast before you commit to the run. Station 46025 sits in the Santa Monica Basin, so its readings describe that water and not the island grounds or the banks.
Grounds and structure near the port
Two named artificial reefs sit near Marina del Rey:
- Marina del Rey Artificial Reef 1: 65 ft
- Marina del Rey Artificial Reef 2
Both are structure close to the harbor, which sets them apart from the long runs to the islands and banks. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How bluefin are fished out of Marina del Rey
The methods listed for the port are general to Marina del Rey and not specific to bluefin. One live-bait record shows what has worked.
Methods
Captain Experiences lists these methods for Marina del Rey. They apply to the port generally and are not bluefin-specific prescriptions:
- Trolling
- Jigging
- Kite fishing
- Bottom fishing
For technique depth, see the tuna fishing guides.
Live bait and the club record
The Marina del Rey club record was set on live bait, according to the club’s own record list.
Who fishes for them
LA Sportfishing / Fin Fetish / Sea Trek lists Pacific bluefin tuna and runs trips from this port. A charter is one way to see how the port’s boats fish these grounds.
FAQ: Pacific bluefin out of Marina del Rey
When is bluefin season out of Marina del Rey?
Captain Experiences rates the season Great from April through October and Good from January to March and November to December. That is a calendar for planning runs and says nothing about fish on any given day.
Where do boats run for bluefin from Marina del Rey?
LA Sportfishing says its signature offshore trips target bluefin around Catalina Island, the Channel Islands and offshore banks. These are the named destinations for the port’s bluefin trips.
Which buoy should I check before running offshore?
NOAA NDBC 46025, in the Santa Monica Basin, sits 33 nm WSW of Santa Monica at 33.765 N, 119.077 W. Read wind, wave height and period, then check the official National Weather Service forecast. Its readings describe the basin and not the islands or the banks.
What methods are used for bluefin out of Marina del Rey?
Captain Experiences lists trolling, jigging, kite fishing and bottom fishing for the port. Those listings are general to Marina del Rey and not bluefin-specific. The Marina del Rey club record was set on live bait.
Who runs bluefin trips from Marina del Rey?
LA Sportfishing, with the boats Fin Fetish and Sea Trek, lists Pacific bluefin tuna. Its trips run from this port.
