About Diablo Canyon

Diablo Canyon is an outer-exposed rocky drop-off off Morro Bay, California, where the bottom falls away through depths of 60 to 300 feet. The rock structure holds a strong groundfish population, with Lingcod peaking September through March and Blue Rockfish and Black Rockfish stacking up over the reef from spring into late summer. California Halibut move onto the shallower edges from June through August, taken by drift fishing with live anchovy, live smelt, or swimbaits, while Lingcod respond to jigging with metal jigs and swimbaits along the deeper rock. Blue and Black Rockfish come readily to shrimp fly rigs and metal jigs worked through the water column above the drop. Chinook Salmon pass through from March into July and are targeted by trolling anchovies, herring, and flashers with hoochies, and California Sheephead hold near the rock from August through October for bottom fishing with squid and cut bait.