LA Fishing Report: Halibut, Rockfish, and Trout Bites On Fire

Hey anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Los Angeles area fishing report for Saturday, May 17, 2025. Weather today is shaping up nicely, with early morning temps around the high 50s climbing to the low-to-mid 70s by midday. It’s mostly clear skies, with a light marine layer burning off by late morning and very little wind expected. Sunrise was at 5:49 AM and sunset will be at 7:53 PM. For those planning to hit the salt, the tides today are moderate, with an early morning high around 6:45 AM and a low just after lunch, perfect for targeting a variety of inshore species. Let’s talk fish. The local bite has been solid along the LA coast and nearby piers. Halibut action is heating up, especially out of San Pedro’s 22nd Street Landing, where boats have been pulling good numbers of legal flatfish up to 24 pounds just this past month. Several boats reported up to nine quality halibut in a single trip, so the odds are in your favor if you work those sandy drop-offs and slow-troll live smelt or drift sardines[3]. Rockfish remain a staple on the deeper reefs off Marina del Rey and Redondo, with good catches reported. Best success has come on dropper-loop rigs with strips of squid or whole anchovy. If you’re heading offshore, keep an eye out for bonito and barracuda chasing bait balls on the surface, especially mid-morning when the current starts moving[5]. Freshwater fans, trout fishing is still wide open at local lakes like Hemet and Castaic, with recent plants keeping rainbows snapping at PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and minijigs. Bass are getting aggressive in the shallows, especially around structure—try a watermelon Senko or dropshot with a Roboworm for best results[4]. For lures on the salt, a white swimbait or a chrome Kastmaster has been making halibut and bass take notice. If you’re after rockfish, stick to simple double dropper rigs with squid strips. Hot spots to check out today: - 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro for halibut and rockfish action. - The jetty at Redondo Beach, especially early morning and late afternoon for calico bass and the occasional white seabass. - For freshwater, hit up Castaic Lagoon or Hemet Lake for excellent trout and bass action. That’s your local rundown. Weather’s fine, fish are biting, and the tide’s right—so pack your gear, bring some live bait if you can find it, and I’ll see you out there. Tight lines from Artificial Lure! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.