Coastal Half Day Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting multiple West Coast speciesSmall group capacity of six guests with professional guideYellowtail, bass, halibut, and rockfish fishing opportunities
Got a busy schedule but still need your fishing fix? This coastal half-day trip with Fin Fetish Sportfishing delivers serious action without eating up your entire day. We're talking about productive waters where Yellowtail, White Seabass, and a mixed bag of rockfish are waiting to test your skills. With only six anglers max, you'll get the personalized attention and prime fishing spots that make this trip a customer favorite among locals and visitors alike.
This isn't your typical crowded charter experience. With our small group size, everyone gets quality rod time and direct access to the captain's local knowledge. We'll hit multiple inshore spots known for holding different species throughout the day. The beauty of this half-day format is we can adapt quickly – if the bass are biting shallow, we stay put. If the rockfish are stacked deeper, we make moves. You're looking at around 4-5 hours of solid fishing time, which gives us enough opportunity to put you on multiple species without rushing. The pace is relaxed but productive, perfect for anglers who want results without the full-day commitment. We provide all the tackle you'll need, though you're welcome to bring your own setup if you've got preferences.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. We'll be working a combination of live bait and artificials, depending on conditions and what's showing up on the finder. For the bass species, we'll often drift with live sardines or mackerel, letting them work naturally near structure. When we're targeting halibut, it's all about getting baits down to the sand and being patient – these fish can be picky but the payoff is worth it. The rockfish bite usually calls for vertical presentations with heavy jigs or whole baits fished tight to the bottom. We carry a full spread of tackle from light spinning gear for the smaller bass up to conventional setups for when those bigger white seabass show up. Don't worry if you're not familiar with the techniques – part of what makes this trip special is the hands-on instruction you'll get.
White Seabass are the crown jewel of Southern California inshore fishing, and these waters produce some beauties. These fish can push 20-40 pounds and fight like nothing else in the nearshore zone. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods, often found cruising kelp edges and sandy areas adjacent to structure. What makes them so exciting is their unpredictability – one minute you're targeting smaller species, the next you've got a white on that's peeling drag. Spring through fall offers the best action, with peak season typically running May through August.
Sea Bass, including both Sand Bass and Calico Bass, are the bread and butter of our inshore game. Sand Bass are aggressive fighters that'll hit both live bait and plastics, typically running 1-4 pounds with the occasional bigger fish mixed in. They school up over sandy bottoms and are great targets for anglers looking to stay busy. Calico Bass are the structure specialists – these beauties live in and around the kelp forests and rocky areas. They're incredibly visual feeders and can be finicky, but once you dial in their mood, they'll provide consistent action. Both species are year-round residents, making them reliable targets no matter when you book.
Yellowtail Rockfish bring both numbers and quality to the mix. These fish are perfect for anglers who want steady action with the chance for some real size. They typically hold in 60-200 feet of water around rocky structure and respond well to both bait and jigs. What's great about rockfish is their willingness to bite – once you find them, you can usually count on consistent hookups. The larger specimens can surprise you with their fight, especially when they try to dive back into the rocks.
Pacific Halibut are the ultimate prize for bottom fishers. These flatfish can range from "chicken" halibut around 10-15 pounds up to true monsters over 50 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand waiting for baitfish to swim by, which means patience is key when targeting them. The reward is a fish that's not only fun to catch but also excellent table fare. Summer months typically offer the best halibut fishing, though we see them year-round in these waters.
Kelp Bass round out our target list and are absolute favorites among local anglers. These fish are incredibly structure-oriented, living their entire lives around kelp forests and rocky reefs. They're visual feeders that can be incredibly picky, but when they're on the bite, few fish are more fun on light tackle. Kelp Bass are also one of the most beautiful fish we target, with their bronze coloration and distinctive patterns. They're year-round residents but tend to be most active during warmer months.
This top-rated half-day trip fills up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red-hot. With only six spots available, you're guaranteed personalized service and plenty of room to fish comfortably. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to maximize limited time or someone new to saltwater fishing wanting to learn from experienced guides, this trip delivers the goods. The variety of species we target means there's always something biting, and the shorter duration makes it perfect for fitting into vacation schedules or weekend plans. Don't wait – these productive inshore waters and small group experience make this one of the most sought-after trips on the coast.
Our motorboat is built for serious fishing action along the coast. With room for up to 6 anglers, this vessel cuts through the water smoothly while you target Yellowtail, White Seabass, and the feisty Calico Bass that call these waters home. The onboard GPS keeps us locked onto the hottest fishing spots, while radar helps navigate when morning fog rolls in or visibility drops. Perfect for half-day trips when you want to maximize your time on the water without burning a full day. The boat handles inshore conditions like a champ, getting you to productive rockfish ledges and sandy bottom areas where Halibut like to hide. Whether you're casting for Sand Bass or dropping lines for bottom fish, this setup gives you the mobility to chase whatever's biting and the space to fish comfortably with your crew.
Paralabrax ClathratusKelp Bass, also called Calico Bass, are beautiful olive-green fish with distinctive white rectangular spots that typically run 12-20 inches and up to 15 pounds. They live almost exclusively in kelp forests from 8-200 feet deep, with juveniles sticking close to the kelp blades while adults venture to rockier areas. May through October provides the hottest action during their spawning season, though you can catch them year-round. Anglers love their aggressive strikes and strong runs back toward cover - plus they're excellent eating. When hooked, they immediately dive for the kelp, so be ready to muscle them out quickly. Use braided line to cut through kelp if needed, and work brown or olive-colored lures that match their natural prey like anchovies and small crustaceans around the kelp edges where they ambush baitfish.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific Halibut are the giants of the flatfish world, averaging 20-40 pounds but commonly hitting 100+ pounds and occasionally reaching 500 pounds. These bottom-dwellers live in 150-500 feet of water over sandy or muddy bottoms, preferring temperatures between 37-46°F. Summer months bring the best action when they move into shallower feeding areas, while winter finds them in deeper spawning grounds. Guests chase these "barn doors" for the incredible fight and premium table fare - there's nothing quite like landing a fish bigger than you are. They're ambush predators that use both sight and scent to hunt. Here's my secret: after dropping your bait to the bottom with a 1-2 pound weight, bounce your rod tip every few minutes to create movement and attract their attention from a distance.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are tough customers that average around a foot long and 9 pounds, with the largest hitting 26 inches. These dark, thick-bodied fish live around hard bottom structure - think jetties, wrecks, and reefs where they ambush crabs, shrimp, and small fish. They spawn from January through July, with spring and summer providing the most consistent action. Anglers target them for two reasons: they fight hard for their size and taste outstanding - that's why you'll find them in high-end restaurants. These aggressive feeders travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. My go-to trick is using squid or clam strips on a bucktail jig near the bottom - they can't resist that combo when worked slowly along structure.
Morone ChrysopsWhite Bass are scrappy fighters that average 10-12 inches and weigh up to 7 pounds, though some reach 18 inches. These silvery fish with distinctive dark stripes along their sides are aggressive feeders that travel in schools, making for fast action when you find them. They inhabit big rivers, reservoirs, and shallow areas with good current flow. Spring through early fall offers the best fishing, especially during their spawning runs from mid-March to May. Guests love their hard fight and excellent table fare - they're one of the tastiest freshwater fish you'll catch. Pro tip: once you locate a school, work the surface with small spinners or spoons quickly, as they'll often hit multiple times before moving on to new water.
Sebastes FlavidusYellowtail Rockfish are solid 11-13 inch fish that occasionally reach 25 inches and live up to 64 years. You'll find these greenish-brown beauties with bright yellow tails around rocky reefs, boulder fields, and even muddy bottoms from shallow water down to 1,800 feet. Unlike most rockfish, they handle pressure changes well, so no worries about barotrauma when bringing them up. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them when they're more active during daylight hours. Guests appreciate their mild, slightly sweet meat and the fact they're usually caught in good numbers. These fish school up, so don't move spots too quickly once you start catching. Keep your jigs or flies moving in the water column - they like to chase their prey rather than pick at stationary baits.
Marina del Rey, CA