Ideal Fishing Conditions in LA as Tides, Weather Favor Anglers Seeking Halibut, Calico Bass, and Yellowtail

Today, Friday, September 6th, 2024, is shaping up to be a prime day for fishing in Los Angeles. The tides are in our favor with a high tide at 5:42 am and a low tide at 11:23 am, followed by another high tide at 6:02 pm. Weather conditions are ideal, with clear skies, a calm breeze from the west, and temperatures averaging around 75°F. Sunrise graced us at 6:28 am and we'll have daylight until 7:15 pm.

Reports from yesterday hint at an excellent day ahead. Anglers pulled in a decent haul of halibut, calico bass, and yellowtail. The halibut bite was particularly hot off the Santa Monica Pier, with several catch-and-release stories of 20-25 pounders. Calico bass were snagged in good numbers near the rocky reefs around Palos Verdes, while yellowtail were more active further out, near Catalina Island.

For those planning their setups, plastics and swimbaits worked like magic on the calico bass. A 3- to 5-inch swimbait in anchovy or sardine patterns yielded the best results. When it came to halibut, drop shot rigs with live anchovies or sardine were the trick. Meanwhile, yellowtail were enticed by iron jigs and fly-lining live bait, such as mackerel.

A couple of hot spots worth visiting today are the Santa Monica Pier and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The Santa Monica Pier has shown great potential for halibut and there's always a good crowd, which makes it a social spot as well. For those willing to travel a bit, Palos Verdes offers not only calico bass but also spectacular underwater scenery conducive to both fishing and a good time.

Overall, the waters around Los Angeles seem teeming with activity. Make sure your lines are ready, your lures are set, and your live bait is fresh. Happy fishing!