Los Angeles Coastal Fishing Report: Winter Bite, Structure, and Tides

This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Los Angeles coastal fishing report. Let’s start with the water. Tide-Forecast for Los Angeles shows a pre-dawn high around 2:45 a.m. just under five feet, sliding to a mid‑morning low near 10 a.m., then a modest afternoon high a little after 3 p.m. with another low in the evening. That kind of medium swing sets up decent current around both the morning and late‑afternoon bites. Sunrise is about 6:58 and sunset around 5:03, so your prime windows are first light into the dropping tide, and again mid‑afternoon as it fills. The National Weather Service Los Angeles office is calling for classic winter coastal conditions: cool morning temps in the low 50s near the water, climbing into the mid‑60s, with light offshore or variable winds early, then a typical onshore breeze in the afternoon and relatively small swell. That’s comfortable jacket‑weather on the pier or rocks, and perfect for sneaking in some surf sessions before the wind chops it up. According to 976‑Tuna’s latest fish counts from yesterday, ten local boats ran with 249 anglers and stacked up roughly 580 bonito, 267 sculpin, 233 rockfish and a mix of bass, whitefish, sheephead and a few halibut. That tells you the local winter pattern is in full swing: tons of bottom grabbers plus steady surface action on the bonito when they push bait up. Nearshore, expect good numbers of sculpin, rockfish, and whitefish on structure, with calico and sand bass mixed in when the water bumps up a degree or two. Bonito schools have been ghosting in and out anywhere there’s bird life and color breaks. Rockfish limits are still very doable on the local half‑day runs out of San Pedro and Marina del Rey when the current lines up. Best offerings right now: - For rockfish, sculpin, and whitefish: standard double‑dropper loops with 2–6 oz sinkers and size 1–2/0 hooks tipped with squid strips or cut anchovy. Darker plastics on leadheads—root beer, red/black—also produce on the stones. - For bass: 4–5 inch swimbaits in sardine or anchovy patterns, and leadheads with fresh squid pinned on. Slow‑roll around kelp edges and harbor walls. - For bonito and surface roaming fish: small metal jigs and Colt Sniper‑style irons in blue/chrome or mint, plus fly‑lined anchovies or small sardines when available. A light fluorocarbon leader helps in the clear winter water. A couple of hot spots to circle: - **Santa Monica Pier and the surrounding beach**: still a great local option. You don’t need a license on the pier, and the Santa Monica Pier Bait & Tackle crew can dial you in with anchovies, squid, and rental gear. Expect mackerel, perch, the occasional halibut and wintertime rays, especially around the tide changes. Fish blood‑worms or Gulp sandworms for barred surfperch in the troughs right at your feet. - **22nd Street Landing and the local reefs off San Pedro and Palos Verdes**: recent reports out of 22nd Street show steady rockfish and whitefish with a good sprinkling This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.