Southern California’s fisheries follow a steady rhythm tied to water temperatures, currents, and bait availability. These seasonal migrations shape what anglers can expect to catch, and as the calendar turns to October and November, the focus begins to shift from summer’s offshore exotics to a mix of reliable nearshore species and late-season holdovers.
Spring and early summer typically mark the first push of migratory fish into the Southern California Bight. Yellowtail, barracuda, and bonito ride warming currents north, while halibut fishing picks up in bays and sandy flats along the coast. By midsummer, the region is alive with activity as warm currents bring yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, dorado, and even the occasional wahoo up from Mexico. Offshore banks and kelp paddies draw heavy angler traffic, and striped marlin and swordfish appear later in the season as waters reach their warmest.
That offshore frenzy tapers as fall settles in, but October and November offer anglers a unique mix of opportunities. Offshore, late-season bluefin may still be prowling the Tanner and Cortez Banks and the 43 Fathom Spot. These fish demand heavy two-speed reels, 80 to 100 pound braid, and rail rods, with flylined sardines and knife jigs proving the most effective presentations. Closer to the islands, yellowtail remain a reliable target at Catalina, San Clemente, and the Coronados. Anglers can tackle them with 30 to 40 pound outfits, live sardines slow-trolled near kelp lines, or classic surface irons such as the Tady 45.
Nearshore action continues with calico bass feeding aggressively around reefs and kelp beds, responding to lighter 15 to 25 pound gear paired with weedless plastics or live anchovies. Bottom fishing comes alive as well, with rockfish, lingcod, and whitefish drawing anglers to the Channel Islands and deeper reefs off San Diego and Orange County. These fisheries call for stout conventional rods, 50 pound braid, heavy sinkers, and cut squid or metal jigs dropped into deep structure. For those preferring the sand, halibut provide a steady challenge along harbor mouths and beaches, where drop-shot rigs with live sardines or soft-plastic grubs fished slowly across the bottom often produce results.
As winter approaches, most warm-water pelagics retreat south, but local fisheries remain steady with sand bass, calico bass, sculpin, halibut, and rockfish anchoring the catch. The cyclical migrations mean summer’s offshore excitement gives way to fall’s mix of versatility and winter’s dependable bottom fishing. For anglers in October and November, that translates into one of the most diverse times of year — when the right blend of rods, reels, and techniques can turn a single trip into a sampler of Southern California’s rich and ever-changing fishery.
Seasonal Fish Migration Calendar in Southern California
January – March
- Halibut – strong in bays, harbors, sandy flats
- Sand bass & calico bass – peak near reefs, harbors, and breakwalls
- Sculpin & rockfish – deep-water structure (rockfish season permitting)
April – May
- Barracuda – begin showing along the coast and islands
- Yellowtail – first arrivals at Catalina, San Clemente, and Coronado Islands
- Halibut – continue steady inshore bite
- Bonito – early push during warmer springs
June
- Yellowtail – strong presence at islands, kelp lines, and offshore paddies
- White seabass – peaking around squid grounds (Channel Islands, Catalina)
- Bonito – schools spread along coast and islands
- Early tuna – occasional bluefin seen offshore
July – August
- Bluefin tuna – offshore banks (Cortez, Tanner, 43 Fathom Spot)
- Yellowfin tuna – move north from Baja into SoCal waters
- Dorado (mahi-mahi) – on kelp paddies and offshore temp breaks
- Yellowtail – thick around kelp paddies and islands
- Marlin & swordfish – first sightings offshore
September
- Peak tuna season – yellowfin, bluefin, bigeye (in warm years)
- Dorado & yellowtail – still strong offshore and around paddies
- Marlin & swordfish – most consistent months
- Bonito – widespread along the coast
October – November
- Tuna tapering – bluefin may linger in cooler years
- Yellowtail – still reliable near islands and deeper structure
- Rockfish, lingcod, whitefish – solid action as anglers shift to bottom fish
- Calico bass – strong fall bite on plastics and live bait
December
- Halibut – good local fishing in bays and beaches
- Sand bass & sculpin – reliable near reefs and wrecks
- Rockfish & lingcod – excellent (if season is still open offshore)
