About Portuguese Point

Portuguese Point is an outer, exposed kelp reef off Los Angeles, California, where rock bottom rises through water from the surface down to about 40 feet. The reef holds a strong mix of gamefish through the warmer months, with California Halibut and White Seabass peaking March through July, California Sheephead running April through September, and Barred Sand Bass concentrated in March and again from June through August. Halibut come to drift fishing over the reef edges with live anchovies, sardines, or smelt, while White Seabass respond to live bait fishing with squid, sardines, or mackerel along the kelp. Sheephead sit tight to the rock and take bottom fishing with squid, cut mackerel, live shrimp, or crab, and Leopard Shark, best from April through August, comes to bait soaked on the bottom with squid, mackerel, or shrimp. The structure and exposure keep bait and current moving across the shallow rock, making drift presentations effective across the 0-to-40-foot range.