About Redondo Submarine Canyon

Redondo Submarine Canyon cuts steeply off Santa Monica, dropping through depths of 100 to 1200 feet where slope structure concentrates deepwater and pelagic species. Sablefish hold along the deepest reaches with peaks in November through January and again April through October, taken by deep dropping squid, mackerel strips, and sardine, while slope rockfish work the mid-canyon walls from August through February on deep-dropped squid strips, shrimp flies, and heavy jigs. Lingcod feed over hard bottom from September through February and respond to vertical jigging with metal jigs and leadhead swimbaits, and aggregate rockfish stay available year-round on dropper loops baited with squid and cut mackerel. Through spring and summer the upper canyon draws California halibut from March through July and white seabass from March through July, worked by drifting live anchovies, sardines, and smelt along the edges. Yellowtail and California barracuda push in from May through October and April through September, with live sardines and trolled tube lures covering the shallower, warmer water above the drop.