Where the fish are and when
Pacific bluefin tuna fishing out of San Pedro and Long Beach is, in Long Beach Sportfishing’s words, "seasonal and IF available."
The fleet doesn’t publish a fixed calendar, so the trips the landings book toward bluefin are the signal to watch. When boats list bluefin as a target, the fish are in play. When they fall back to yellowtail, white seabass and rockfish, they aren’t.
For the wider Southern California timing picture, see Pacific bluefin across the Pacific Southwest (see also the Pacific Southwest offshore fishing guide).
Where San Pedro and Long Beach boats run
San Pedro and Long Beach boats run to Catalina Island and the offshore banks for bluefin, mostly on overnight and 1.5-day trips. It’s a long run rather than a quick hop, so plan fuel, crew rest and weather windows accordingly.
Before leaving the dock, check the official marine forecast for wind speed, wave height and period, and go by the numbers.
| Trip format | Destination |
|---|---|
| Overnight | Catalina Island and offshore banks |
| 1.5-day | Catalina Island and offshore banks |
Grounds and structure
The named grounds near San Pedro and Long Beach are Horseshoe Kelp, the wrecks and oil rigs off Long Beach, and the offshore banks. You can look at bank and rig structure on the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint before the run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Horseshoe Kelp
Horseshoe Kelp is a named local ground, known to boats and anglers by that name.
Wrecks and rigs off Long Beach
Wrecks and oil rigs sit off Long Beach as local structure. Both are fixed objects that hold bait, which is why anglers work around them.
Offshore banks
The fleet runs to the offshore banks on its overnight and 1.5-day trips. Along with Catalina Island, they are the main offshore destination.
How the local fleet fishes it and who runs it
The local fleet fishes bluefin on overnight and 1.5-day trips that also target yellowtail, white seabass and rockfish. For tackle and technique, use the species guide.
Riding a trip, or just watching which trips are running, is a way to learn the grounds before you commit your own boat and fuel.
Trip formats
Overnight and 1.5-day trips are listed as targeting:
- bluefin
- yellowtail
- white seabass
- rockfish
The mixed itinerary gives the trip a backup plan when bluefin aren’t "available."
22nd Street Landing: Freedom
The Freedom runs from 22nd Street Landing and lists Pacific bluefin tuna. Its captains are Tino Valentine and Chris Isaac.
Long Beach Sportfishing
Long Beach Sportfishing at Berth 55 lists Pacific bluefin tuna. It is also the source of the "seasonal and IF available" wording.
Pierpoint
Pierpoint runs a seasonal overnight offshore tuna trip.
| Operator | Where | Trips listed |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom | 22nd Street Landing | Lists Pacific bluefin tuna |
| Long Beach Sportfishing | Berth 55 | Lists Pacific bluefin tuna |
| Pierpoint | Pierpoint | Seasonal overnight offshore tuna trip |
FAQ for Pacific bluefin out of San Pedro and Long Beach
Can you go Pacific bluefin tuna fishing out of San Pedro and Long Beach?
Yes, when the fish are available. Long Beach Sportfishing describes bluefin as "seasonal and IF available." Boats run to Catalina Island and the offshore banks on overnight and 1.5-day trips.
When is bluefin season out of Long Beach?
There is no fixed month range. Long Beach Sportfishing calls it "seasonal and IF available." Watch which trips the landings offer toward bluefin; that is your best signal.
What is a 1.5-day trip?
It is one of 2 local trip formats, alongside overnight trips, listed as targeting bluefin. The landings set the schedule for each trip, so check with the operator.
What else do bluefin trips target?
Yellowtail, white seabass and rockfish. For more on tuna across ports, see our tuna fishing guides.
Who runs bluefin trips from this port?
22nd Street Landing’s Freedom, with Captains Tino Valentine and Chris Isaac, and Long Beach Sportfishing at Berth 55 both list Pacific bluefin tuna. Pierpoint runs a seasonal overnight offshore tuna trip.
