About Catalina Island - West End

Catalina Island's West End is a rocky offshore point off the Southern California coast, where depths range from 40 to 300 feet across kelp edges and structure that hold both inshore and pelagic species. Yellowtail move through from May to October and respond to live sardines and mackerel, while yo-yo jigging with heavy iron works the deeper edges when fish sit near the bottom. White Seabass peak from March to July and take live squid and sardines, and Calico Bass hold along the kelp from April to August, where swimbaits and soft plastic grubs draw strikes near the rocks. Summer brings the tuna and warm-water traffic, with Yellowfin Tuna from June to October and Pacific Bluefin Tuna from April to September, both worked on live sardines, anchovies, and mackerel over the deeper water. Bottom fishing with squid and cut mackerel produces California Sheephead from April to September along the same structure, and Lingcod hold on the deeper reefs from September through February for anglers working metal jigs vertically.