Best Time to Fish Santa Monica

When to fish Santa Monica

Each row is shaded against that species' own best month here, so a dark cell means a good month for that fish rather than a comparison between them.

White Seabass: January none, February fair, March peak, April peak, May peak, June peak, July peak, August good, September poor, October poor, November none, December none. Yellowtail: January none, February none, March poor, April fair, May excellent, June peak, July peak, August peak, September peak, October excellent, November poor, December none. California Halibut: January poor, February fair, March excellent, April excellent, May excellent, June peak, July excellent, August good, September fair, October poor, November poor, December poor. Kelp Bass: January poor, February fair, March good, April good, May excellent, June excellent, July excellent, August good, September good, October fair, November fair, December poor. Barred Sand Bass: January poor, February fair, March good, April excellent, May good, June excellent, July excellent, August excellent, September fair, October fair, November poor, December poor. California Sheephead: January fair, February fair, March fair, April good, May good, June good, July good, August excellent, September good, October fair, November fair, December fair. Rockfish (Aggregate): January fair, February fair, March fair, April fair, May good, June good, July good, August good, September good, October fair, November fair, December fair. California Barracuda: January none, February none, March poor, April excellent, May peak, June peak, July peak, August peak, September excellent, October poor, November none, December none. Lingcod: January excellent, February good, March fair, April fair, May fair, June fair, July fair, August fair, September good, October good, November good, December excellent. Bonito: January none, February none, March fair, April good, May excellent, June peak, July peak, August peak, September peak, October good, November poor, December none. Albacore tuna: January none, February none, March none, April none, May poor, June peak, July peak, August peak, September peak, October good, November none, December none. bluefin tuna: January none, February none, March poor, April good, May peak, June peak, July peak, August peak, September peak, October good, November none, December none. Bonito: January none, February none, March poor, April fair, May good, June peak, July peak, August peak, September peak, October excellent, November poor, December none. Bronzespotted Rockfish: January good, February good, March fair, April fair, May fair, June fair, July fair, August fair, September fair, October fair, November fair, December good. Cabezon: January good, February good, March good, April good, May fair, June fair, July fair, August fair, September fair, October good, November good, December good. Calico Bass: January poor, February fair, March fair, April good, May excellent, June excellent, July excellent, August good, September good, October fair, November fair, December poor. Canary Rockfish: January good, February good, March good, April fair, May fair, June fair, July good, August good, September fair, October fair, November fair, December fair. Chinook Salmon: January none, February none, March good, April peak, May peak, June good, July none, August none, September none, October none, November none, December none. Coho Salmon: January none, February none, March none, April none, May peak, June peak, July peak, August poor, September none, October none, November none, December none. Cowcod: January good, February good, March good, April good, May good, June good, July good, August good, September good, October good, November good, December good. Dorado: January none, February none, March none, April none, May none, June good, July peak, August peak, September peak, October none, November none, December none. Flounder / Sole (Flatfish): January fair, February fair, March good, April good, May excellent, June good, July good, August good, September good, October good, November fair, December fair. Halibut: January poor, February peak, March peak, April peak, May peak, June fair, July poor, August fair, September poor, October poor, November none, December none. Kelp Greenling: January fair, February fair, March fair, April good, May good, June fair, July fair, August good, September excellent, October good, November good, December fair. Leopard Shark: January none, February poor, March good, April excellent, May peak, June peak, July peak, August excellent, September fair, October poor, November poor, December none. Mackerel: January poor, February fair, March good, April good, May good, June excellent, July peak, August excellent, September good, October fair, November poor, December poor. Nearshore Rockfish: January fair, February fair, March fair, April good, May good, June good, July good, August good, September fair, October fair, November fair, December fair. Ocean Whitefish: January poor, February fair, March good, April good, May good, June excellent, July peak, August excellent, September good, October fair, November fair, December poor. Sablefish: January good, February fair, March fair, April fair, May fair, June good, July good, August good, September good, October fair, November good, December good. sardine: January poor, February fair, March good, April good, May good, June excellent, July excellent, August excellent, September excellent, October good, November poor, December poor. Sculpin: January fair, February poor, March poor, April fair, May good, June good, July good, August excellent, September excellent, October good, November fair, December fair. Shelf Rockfish: January good, February fair, March fair, April good, May good, June good, July good, August good, September fair, October fair, November fair, December good. Shiner Perch: January poor, February fair, March good, April excellent, May excellent, June excellent, July excellent, August good, September good, October fair, November poor, December poor. Shrimp including prawn: January fair, February fair, March good, April good, May good, June good, July good, August good, September good, October good, November fair, December fair. Skipjack tuna: January none, February none, March fair, April peak, May peak, June excellent, July peak, August peak, September peak, October excellent, November none, December none. Slope Rockfish: January fair, February fair, March fair, April good, May good, June good, July fair, August fair, September fair, October good, November good, December good. Striped marlin: January none, February none, March none, April none, May none, June none, July fair, August peak, September peak, October peak, November none, December none. Surfperch: January good, February excellent, March excellent, April good, May fair, June fair, July fair, August fair, September fair, October good, November good, December good. Swordfish: January none, February none, March poor, April fair, May fair, June excellent, July peak, August peak, September peak, October peak, November fair, December none. Thresher Shark: January none, February poor, March excellent, April peak, May peak, June peak, July peak, August peak, September good, October poor, November none, December none. Vermilion Rockfish: January fair, February fair, March fair, April good, May fair, June good, July good, August good, September good, October fair, November fair, December fair. Vermilion/Sunset Rockfish: January fair, February fair, March good, April good, May good, June good, July good, August fair, September fair, October fair, November good, December fair. Wahoo: January none, February none, March none, April none, May none, June none, July poor, August peak, September peak, October excellent, November none, December none. Yelloweye Rockfish: January good, February good, March good, April good, May good, June good, July good, August good, September good, October good, November good, December good. Yellowfin tuna: January none, February none, March none, April none, May none, June excellent, July peak, August peak, September peak, October peak, November none, December none.

• White Seabass. White seabass abundance in Santa Monica Bay peaks in spring (late March–May) as fish move inshore to spawn and follow squid spawning aggregations, with the strongest concentrations April–May. A secondary summer bump (July–August) coincides with warm water and squid activity, while winter sees the lowest presence as fish disperse to deeper offshore water.
• Yellowtail. Southern California yellowtail are warm-water migrants that push into Santa Monica Bay as water temps climb, peaking from late June through September when warm currents and bait schools (anchovy, sardine, squid) are strongest. Winter presence is minimal as fish retreat south and to warmer offshore/Baja waters, though warm ENSO years can extend the season.
• California Halibut. California halibut are resident year-round in Santa Monica Bay but move onto the shallow sandy flats to spawn in spring, driving a primary March–June peak as adults aggregate inshore. A secondary late-summer bump (Aug–Sep) reflects warm water and abundant baitfish concentrating fish nearshore, while winter's cooler temps push many fish deeper, lowering shallow-water abundance.
• Kelp Bass. Kelp bass are year-round residents of Santa Monica's kelp forests and reef structure, so abundance never hits zero, but they aggregate and become most concentrated during their late spring/early summer spawning period (May–July) when warming water draws them onto shallow reefs. A secondary uptick in late summer coincides with warm water and active feeding, while winter's cold water pushes fish deeper and slows metabolism, lowering local concentration.
• Barred Sand Bass. Barred sand bass are resident year-round in the Santa Monica Bay but aggregate strongly in late spring through early summer (May–July) when they form dense spawning schools over sandy flats and offshore edges, driving the peak. Fish disperse into deeper water and become more scattered in fall and winter, lowering local abundance on typical nearshore grounds.
• California Sheephead. California Sheephead are resident reef fish around Santa Monica rocky structure and kelp year-round, so abundance never hits zero. The spring spawning aggregation (April–June) concentrates fish on shallow reefs for the strongest peak, with a secondary late-summer/early-fall bump as warm water keeps fish active before winter cooling pushes them slightly deeper and less concentrated.
• Rockfish (Aggregate). Rockfish are resident, non-migratory reef and structure dwellers that remain biologically present in Santa Monica Bay waters year-round with minimal seasonal fluctuation in abundance. Slight recruitment pulses of juveniles occur in spring but total aggregate biomass on the reefs stays essentially flat, so the curve holds at baseline throughout the year.
• California Barracuda. California barracuda migrate into the Santa Monica Bay as water warms above ~60°F, arriving in force by late spring and peaking mid-summer (July–August) when bait schools of anchovy and sardine concentrate. A secondary late-summer/early-fall surge occurs as fish stage before moving south; abundance drops sharply through fall and winter when cold water pushes the stock down toward Baja, leaving only scattered fish in the coldest months.
• Lingcod. Lingcod hold on Santa Monica-area reefs and rocky structure year-round, but abundance concentrates in cooler months when adults move shallower to spawn (late fall through early spring). The late-summer/early-fall peak reflects post-spawn feeding aggregation and recruitment, while a mild early-summer dip corresponds to warmer surface water pushing some fish deeper and offshore.
• Bonito. Pacific bonito are warm-water visitors to Santa Monica Bay, thinning out in cold winter months but with a resident pocket. Abundance builds through spring as water warms, showing a bimodal peak around late May-June and again August-October when warm currents and bait schools (anchovy/sardine) drive the largest inshore concentrations before fall cooling pushes them offshore and south.
• Albacore tuna. Albacore are a warm-water pelagic that historically appear off Southern California (including the Santa Monica/SCB offshore grounds) from mid-summer through fall as the 62-66°F blue water pushes inshore. Peak abundance typically runs late July through August, tapering through September and October before the fish move offshore/south for winter. Recent years have seen weaker showings, but the biological window remains roughly weeks 28-44.
• bluefin tuna. Pacific Bluefin Tuna show up off Santa Monica/SoCal Bight as water warms in late spring, with a first abundance peak May–June on the inshore push, a brief lull, then a second strong peak July–September when larger fish stack along the offshore banks. Numbers taper through October and most fish migrate west/south by late fall, leaving a low but non-zero winter presence as some sub-adults overwinter in the Bight.
• Bonito. Pacific bonito abundance off Santa Monica builds through spring as water warms, with a secondary early-summer bump, then peaks in late summer/early fall (Aug–Sep) when warm water and bait schools concentrate fish inshore. Numbers taper through fall as water cools and fish move offshore/south, leaving a sparse winter baseline that varies heavily with ENSO warm-water years.
• Bronzespotted Rockfish. Bronzespotted rockfish are deep-water (250–1000 ft), non-migratory residents of offshore banks and rocky structure off Southern California, including the Santa Monica Bay area. As a long-lived, sedentary species, their biological abundance is essentially flat year-round with no spawning migration that removes them from the area.
• Cabezon. Cabezon are resident nearshore reef fish present year-round off Santa Monica with no migration. Mild peaks occur in late winter/early spring (Feb–Apr) when males guard nests in shallow rocky structure and again in fall (Oct–Nov) when cooler water pushes fish shallower; a slight summer dip reflects warm surface temps driving some fish deeper off accessible structure.
• Calico Bass. Calico bass are year-round residents of Santa Monica's kelp and reef structure, so they never hit zero, but abundance and catchability rise sharply as water warms from late spring through summer. Peak biological activity and spawning aggregation occur June–August (weeks 23–33) when warm water pulls fish shallow and active; winter cold slows metabolism and pushes fish deeper and less concentrated, producing the January–March lull.
• Canary Rockfish. Canary rockfish are resident demersal fish in deeper offshore reefs off Santa Monica (Santa Monica Bay shelf edge), so they are present year-round with minimal migration. Modest summer-to-early-fall peak reflects warmer water pushing better recruitment and aggregation on hard structure, while late-winter values dip slightly due to storm-driven dispersal and post-spawn condition.
• Chinook Salmon. Santa Monica Bay sits at the extreme southern edge of Chinook's oceanic range; the species is biologically scarce here year-round. A faint late-winter/early-spring bump reflects rare stragglers from Central Valley/Sacramento stocks foraging south during cool-water years, but no true run or spawning presence exists in these waters.
• Coho Salmon. Coho salmon are biologically absent from Santa Monica Bay waters year-round. The southern extent of the wild coho range is Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz, and Southern California is well outside their oceanic distribution; any historical strays were exceptionally rare and not part of normal stock presence.
• Cowcod. Cowcod are deepwater, extremely long-lived, sedentary rockfish residing on offshore banks and rocky structure in 50-100+ fathoms off Santa Monica year-round. They do not migrate seasonally, so biological abundance is essentially flat across all 52 weeks (note: this species is under a Cowcod Conservation Area closure, but that's a regulation gate, not biology).
• Dorado. Dorado (dorado/mahi) are warm-water visitors to the Santa Monica Bay region, biologically absent most of the year and only showing up when offshore SSTs climb above ~68°F. Presence typically begins in late spring under kelp paddies, peaks late July through early September during the warmest water, and tapers off through October as temperatures drop.
• Flounder / Sole (Flatfish). Santa Monica Bay flatfish (California halibut dominant, with sand dabs and sole) show a broad year-round presence with a primary spawning/inshore peak in late winter through spring (Feb–May) as halibut move shallow, and a strong secondary peak in early fall (Sep–Oct) when juveniles and resident fish concentrate on sandy flats. Mid-summer and mid-winter dips reflect post-spawn dispersal and offshore movement to cooler/deeper water.
• Halibut. Note: 'Pacific Halibut' (Hippoglossus stenolepis) are rare south of Point Conception; Santa Monica Bay's actual halibut fishery is California halibut (Paralichthys californicus). Assuming the intent is the local flatfish, abundance peaks late spring through early summer (Apr–Jun) when halibut move shallow onto sandy flats to spawn following grunion and anchovy/sardine schools, with a secondary bump in early fall before fish move deeper for winter.
• Kelp Greenling. Kelp Greenling are at the extreme southern edge of their range off Santa Monica and are scarce overall, but show a modest cool-water peak in fall (Sep-Nov) when nearshore temps drop and post-spawn adults are most active around rocky kelp structure. A secondary minor lift occurs in late spring as juveniles recruit, with the lowest abundance during warm late-summer surface temps and mid-winter storms.
• Leopard Shark. Leopard sharks aggregate in Santa Monica Bay's shallow warm flats (Malibu, Marina del Rey jetties) starting in spring as inshore water warms, peaking late April through July when females gather to pup and feed on bay rays and crustaceans. A secondary plateau in August-September coincides with warmest water and juvenile presence, then numbers thin through fall as sharks disperse to deeper or southern waters, with winter showing residual resident fish only.
• Mackerel. Pacific mackerel are present year-round off Santa Monica but abundance swells in late spring as warming water and spawning concentrate schools nearshore, with a stronger summer peak (Jul–Aug) tied to bait migrations and warm SSTs. A late-fall/winter dip reflects schools moving offshore and southward, though some fish remain along the coast.
• Nearshore Rockfish. Nearshore rockfish (gopher, copper, grass, browns, calicos-adjacent reef species) are resident year-round on Santa Monica Bay reefs, so the curve stays near baseline. Abundance peaks late spring through summer as warmer, settled water concentrates fish on shallow reefs and post-spawn adults plus YOY recruits boost numbers; a mild dip occurs in late fall/winter when storm swell disperses fish to deeper structure outside the nearshore band.
• Ocean Whitefish. Ocean whitefish are a year-round resident species over rocky structure off Santa Monica (Santa Monica Bay edges, Palos Verdes, Channel Islands runs), so abundance never drops to zero. A spring spawning aggregation (March–May) and a strong early-summer peak (late June–July) reflect highest local densities, with a modest dip in late fall as fish disperse to deeper structure.
• Sablefish. Sablefish off Santa Monica live in deep slope waters (300–900 fathoms) and are present year-round with limited seasonal movement. A subtle summer-into-early-fall bump reflects post-spawn adults moving slightly shallower onto feeding grounds, while late winter shows a mild dip as mature fish concentrate offshore/deeper to spawn.
• sardine. Pacific sardine are resident year-round in the Southern California Bight but biomass in Santa Monica Bay peaks in spring (March–May) during spawning aggregations when warming surface waters concentrate schools nearshore, with a secondary fall pulse (Sept–Oct) from young-of-year recruitment. Winter shows the lowest local abundance as schools disperse offshore and southward into cooler, deeper water.
• Sculpin. California scorpionfish (sculpin) are resident year-round on Santa Monica Bay's rocky reefs and hard bottom, so abundance never drops to zero. The pronounced fall peak (Sep–Nov) reflects their spawning aggregations on shallower reefs in 60–150 ft, when fish concentrate densely before dispersing back to deeper, more scattered habitat through late winter and spring.
• Shelf Rockfish. Shelf rockfish (bocaccio, vermilion, chilipepper, widow, etc.) are resident on Santa Monica Bay shelf banks year-round, so the curve stays broad and flat. Slight summer-fall lift reflects post-spawn fish moving onto shallower shelf structure with warmer water and bait aggregations; a minor winter dip reflects spawning fish holding deeper and more dispersed.
• Shiner Perch. Shiner perch are year-round residents of Santa Monica Bay piers and eelgrass flats, never biologically absent. Peak abundance occurs late spring through early summer (April–June) when females congregate inshore to release live young, with a smaller secondary bump in early fall as juveniles recruit; numbers thin slightly in late fall/winter as fish move to slightly deeper, warmer pockets.
• Shrimp including prawn. Ridgeback and spot prawn populations in the Santa Monica Bay are present year-round on deeper rocky/muddy bottoms, showing only modest seasonal variation. Slight peaks occur in late spring through early fall when warmer water and active molting/spawning cycles increase catch rates, while mid-winter sees a small dip in shallower shrimp activity.
• Skipjack tuna. Skipjack tuna are a warm-water migratory species off Santa Monica, typically arriving with the warm offshore push in late spring (May), peaking July-August when SST reaches the mid-to-upper 60s°F, and tapering through October. Winter and early spring show near-absence as fish retreat south toward Baja, though trace presence persists in warm-water years (e.g., El Niño).
• Slope Rockfish. Slope rockfish (bocaccio, bank, splitnose, aurora) are deep-water residents off the Santa Monica shelf-break and remain present year-round with minimal seasonal migration. Mild spring peak reflects post-spawn aggregation and upwelling-driven productivity at depth (April–June), with a slight late-summer dip during stratification; abundance is broadly flat as expected for long-lived demersal species.
• Striped marlin. Striped marlin are absent from Santa Monica waters through winter and spring while they remain in warmer southern/offshore waters. They arrive as the SoCal Bight warms in late July, peak from mid-August through mid-September when 68–72°F water and bait (sauries, mackerel, sardine) concentrate offshore of the 14/267 banks, then taper through October as water cools and fish push south.
• Surfperch. Barred surfperch are present year-round in Santa Monica's surf zone, with the strongest abundance in fall through early winter (Oct–Dec) when adults school nearshore to give birth to live young, and a secondary spring peak (Feb–Apr) tied to sand crab recruitment. Summer shows the lowest densities as post-spawn adults disperse and water warms, pushing some fish offshore or deeper.
• Swordfish. Swordfish concentrate off Southern California in warmer months, with peak abundance from late July through early October when warm offshore water and squid/baitfish forage draw them into the Santa Monica canyon zone. Winter shows a low but nonzero baseline, as deep-dwelling swordfish remain scattered offshore year-round rather than fully vacating the region.
• Thresher Shark. Thresher sharks move into Santa Monica Bay in spring as water warms and baitfish (anchovy, sardine) aggregate, peaking March–April; a summer lull during warmest surface temps is followed by a secondary fall pulse (Sep–Oct) tied to returning bait schools before the sharks depart south for winter.
• Vermilion Rockfish. Vermilion rockfish are resident, non-migratory reef dwellers off Santa Monica, so abundance stays fairly stable year-round near baseline. The modest summer/early-fall peak (July–September) reflects warmer water, aggregation for spawning, and juvenile recruitment settling onto reefs, while late-winter shows the slightest dip as some fish hold deeper.
• Vermilion/Sunset Rockfish. Vermilion/sunset rockfish are deep-water residents off the Santa Monica Bay shelf and banks (Santa Monica Bay, Redondo Canyon edges) and are present year-round with very little seasonal migration. Slight uptick in late spring/summer reflects post-spawn aggregation and better feeding conditions on deeper structure; the curve is intentionally flat because biological abundance changes little week-to-week.
• Wahoo. Wahoo are extreme rarities off Santa Monica, only appearing during strong El Niño/warm-water intrusions in late summer and fall when SST exceeds 70°F. Peak (still very low absolute numbers) falls late August through early October, with the stock biologically absent the rest of the year as fish remain south of the U.S./Mexico border.
• Yelloweye Rockfish. Yelloweye rockfish are deep-water, long-lived, non-migratory residents of rocky reefs and are present in stable numbers year-round. Santa Monica is near the southern edge of their range and they hold in deep offshore banks without seasonal abundance shifts, so the curve is flat at baseline.
• Yellowfin tuna. Yellowfin tuna are warm-water migrants absent from Southern California most of the year. They typically arrive offshore of Santa Monica in mid-to-late summer as SST climbs above 68°F, peaking late August through September, then fading through October as water cools.

Common questions about Santa Monica