LA Fishing Report: Consistent Rockfish, Halibut & Yellowtail Bites in Spring Conditions

This is Artificial Lure with your fishing report for the Los Angeles area on May 12, 2025. Today, anglers can expect mild weather with mostly clear skies and light breezes, typical for this time of year in Southern California. Sunrise was around 6:02 AM and sunset will be approximately 7:50 PM, giving plenty of daylight for a full day on the water. Tide-wise, early morning has a low tide shortly after sunrise, with a prime incoming tide building through mid-morning, which is usually great for fishing nearshore and around harbor entrances. Fishing reports from Marina Del Rey, Long Beach, and San Pedro show steady action, especially for bottom-dwelling species. Recent catches have included good numbers of rockfish—several boats reported hundreds of these in half to three-quarter day trips—along with whitefish, lingcod, sheephead, and a few halibut and calico bass in the mix. Red snapper are also being caught in San Pedro, adding variety to the lineup. The rockfish bite is solid, particularly near rocky reefs and kelp beds offshore. Best lures currently are small to medium-sized jigs and soft plastics in natural colors that mimic local baitfish. For bottom fishing, live bait like anchovies or sardines is highly effective, especially when paired with a sliding sinker rig. For those targeting halibut and lingcod, try dropper loop rigs with live bait or squid strips. Surface iron lures and slow-trolled sardines have been good choices for working yellowtail near structure, though the yellowtail bite is still warming up this season. Hot spots to consider include the rocky areas off Marina Del Rey and the reefs near San Pedro’s 22nd Street Landing. Both spots have produced consistent bottom fish and occasional yellowtail or calico bass in recent outings. Long Beach harbor edges also show promise for sculpin and sheephead. In summary, this week the focus should be on rockfish and bottom species with a side chance at halibut and lingcod. Use natural bait and jigs around reefs and kelp, and keep an eye out for yellowtail near structure if you feel like venturing a bit offshore. The incoming tide mid-morning will bring fish closer to shore, so plan your fishing schedule accordingly. Tight lines out there, folks—Los Angeles waters are holding some nice opportunities right now, so get out there and enjoy the spring bite. This is Artificial Lure signing off. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.