About Catalina Island - Eagle Reef

Eagle Reef sits off Catalina Island, an outer-exposed kelp reef built over rocky bottom that drops through 30 to 80 feet. Yellowtail move through in the warmer stretch from May to October, while Calico Bass hold along the reef from April to August and White Seabass push in from March to July; Rockfish stay catchable year-round over the same rock structure. The kelp and hard bottom favor plastics like swimbaits and soft plastic grubs for the calico bass, and live bait such as sardines, mackerel, or anchovies when yellowtail are working the water column. Rockfish come up on a dropper loop baited with squid or cut mackerel worked close to the reef, and White Seabass respond to live squid drifted through the kelp edges. California Sheephead and Ocean Whitefish share the same bottom from spring into fall, taking bait fished tight to the rock.