About Abalone Cove

Abalone Cove is an outer-exposed kelp reef off Los Angeles, California, where rocky bottom structure runs from about 10 to 60 feet deep. The reef holds Calico Bass that peak from April through August, California Sheephead from April through September, and California Halibut through the spring into July, with Barred Sand Bass and Leopard Shark filling out the warmer months. Calico Bass respond to plastics worked over the rock—swimbaits, soft plastic grubs, and leadhead jigs—while halibut come on drift fishing with live anchovies, sardines, or smelt across the sand-and-rock edges. Sheephead hold tight to the reef and take squid, live shrimp, cut mackerel, or crab fished on the bottom. Leopard Shark move in from April through August and are caught by soaking squid or mackerel on the bottom, and Cabezon take over the cooler stretch from September through April on rockfish jigging with shrimp flies or leadhead jigs.