LA Fishing Report: Rockfish Bounty, Halibut Highlights, and Spring Bass Bites Abound

Good morning, anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Los Angeles area fishing report for Saturday, May 10, 2025. Today is shaping up to be a classic SoCal spring day. Sunrise hit at 5:52 am with sunset expected around 7:45 pm—just in time to maximize those evening bites. Weather is looking mild, with daytime highs in the mid-70s and only a light breeze expected. Right now, the tides are cooperating nicely: we’re on a moderate morning high tide, giving coastal structure and pier anglers a shot at early feeding fish. Saltwater action has been solid all week. Marina del Rey boats are returning to the docks loaded with rockfish, whitefish, and the occasional lingcod. The New Del Mar scored a whopping 425 rockfish and 33 whitefish on a half-day run, and the Spitfire came in with a few nice halibut and a bonus sand bass. Down in Long Beach, the Victory put 330 rockfish and 165 sculpin on the deck for its anglers, with some sheephead and whitefish mixed in. San Pedro’s boats are picking away at calico bass, red snapper, and plenty of whitefish and sculpin, with Monte Carlo boating 85 rockfish and 5 whitefish on a short morning trip. Calico bass catches are heating up, though a lot are being released for size[1]. If you’re shore-bound, local piers like Redondo and Venice have been productive early and late. Mackerel and perch are willing, with a few legal halibut showing under the right conditions. The incoming tide near structure is your best bet. Best lures right now are plastics for bass—think swimbaits in anchovy or sardine patterns, and 3 to 4 inch curly tails. Dropper loop rigs tipped with squid or fresh anchovy continue to hammer rockfish and whitefish on the bottom. For halibut, Carolina rigs with live sardines or a jerk shad in smelt color are getting bites. Offshore and kayak anglers are scoring with metal jigs in 2 to 4 ounces for deeper rockfish. For freshwater, trout reports are still notable in stocked lakes just outside the city, especially after a recent plant. Hemet, for example, has been wide open for rainbows on PowerBait and nightcrawlers. Bass activity is picking up too—try Senkos or dropshot Roboworms along the shoreline[3]. This weekend’s hot spots: Marina del Rey for bottom species and a shot at halibut, Long Beach breakwall for bass and sculpin, and the Santa Monica Pier for a mix of surface and bottom fish at dawn and dusk. That’s your May 10th report. Tight lines and enjoy that prime spring bite! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.