Huntington Beach Inshore/Offshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Flexible inshore and offshore fishing trips for groups.Heavy action California fishing with familyfriendly atmosphere.Accommodates up to six guests with customizable start times.
Looking for some serious California fishing action without the crowds? You've found the right crew. Full Spectrum Sport Fishing runs top-rated trips right out of Huntington Beach, where we'll put you on fish whether you're staying close to shore or heading out to the blue water. With flexible start times and room for up to 6 anglers, we keep things personal and focused on getting you hooked up. The waters off Huntington Beach are loaded with everything from hefty lingcod lurking in the kelp to screaming yellowtail that'll test your drag system.
Every trip starts with reading the conditions and fish reports to put you in the best position for success. On shorter runs, we'll work the inshore kelp beds and rocky structure where the bottom fish hang out - you'll be dropping iron jigs and fishing live bait around these productive zones. The longer offshore trips take us into deeper water where the pelagic species cruise, and that's where things get really interesting. We're talking about water that can produce anything from barracuda slashing through bait schools to bluefin tuna that'll make your reel sing. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. We keep the group size small at 6 people max, so everyone gets plenty of elbow room and individual attention from the crew.
Inshore fishing here means working the kelp forests with a mix of techniques - we'll drift the edges with live anchovies and sardines, then move to iron jigs when we mark fish on the sonar. The rocky bottom structure holds lingcod and sheephead, so we'll drop heavy jigs and fish them slow and methodical. When we head offshore, it's a whole different game. We'll troll surface lures and deeper running baits to cover water and locate schools, then switch to live bait fishing once we find them. The gear varies based on target species - medium heavy spinning setups work great for the inshore stuff, while the offshore fishing might require heavier conventional tackle when the big bluefin show up. We carry backup rods and reels, plus we'll re-tie leaders and help with technique throughout the day.
Lingcod are the heavyweight champions of the inshore rocky reefs, and these bruisers can push 20+ pounds with massive mouths full of teeth. They're most active during the cooler months from October through March, hanging tight to structure in 60-120 feet of water. What makes them special is their aggressive strike - they'll absolutely crush a jig or live bait, and the fight is all power with hard head shakes. California sheephead are another inshore favorite, recognizable by their distinctive black and white coloring and oversized front teeth. These fish are year-round residents that average 3-8 pounds, and they're smart - you need to present bait naturally or they'll ignore it completely. Yellowtail amberjack are the speed demons that show up mainly in summer and fall, typically running 15-30 pounds and fighting like fish twice their size. They'll test your drag and make long powerful runs that get your heart pumping. Pacific barracuda arrive with the warmer water, usually spring through fall, and they're pure aggression - slashing through bait schools and hitting lures at full speed. Bluefin tuna are the holy grail of offshore fishing here, showing up unpredictably but providing world-class action when they do. These fish can range from 30-pound "footballs" to 100+ pound giants that'll take you to the backing and beyond.
The fishing off Huntington Beach delivers year-round, but having the flexibility to adjust start times means we can hit the prime bite windows when fish are most active. Whether you're after the bottom dwellers in the kelp beds or hoping to tangle with pelagic species in blue water, this fishery has something for every angler. The small group size ensures everyone gets quality fishing time, and the variety of species keeps things interesting throughout the day. Contact Full Spectrum Sport Fishing to set up your date - we'll work with your schedule and current conditions to plan the perfect trip. Don't wait too long though, because word spreads fast when the fishing's hot, and the best dates fill up quick.
Your California fishing adventure starts aboard our well-equipped 6-passenger motorboat, perfectly set up for both inshore and offshore action in Huntington Beach waters. This fishing machine comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - a top-notch fish finder to locate the schools, GPS navigation to hit the best spots, and radar for those early morning runs when visibility drops. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into position without spooking the fish, while the VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats sharing intel on the bite. An onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh, and there's even a toilet for those longer offshore runs when the fish are really cooperating. Whether you're targeting rockfish closer to shore or heading out for bigger game, this boat handles California's coastal conditions like a champ. We're flexible on departure times too - just reach out and we'll work around your schedule to get you on the water when the fishing's hot.
Thunnus ThynnusThe holy grail of offshore fishing. Pacific Bluefin average around 40-80 pounds out here, but 100+ pound fish cruise through during good years. These are warm-blooded fish that can dive over 1,000 feet and hit 40+ mph. We target them 15-30+ miles offshore around temperature breaks and bait schools. Late summer through fall is prime time when they follow the bait north. Guests chase them for the ultimate fight and that world-class sushi-grade meat - there's nothing like fresh bluefin sashimi. They're incredibly strong and will take you on long runs and deep dives. Pro tip: when trolling, watch for birds and porpoise - that's where you'll find the bait, and that's where the bluefin will be. Once hooked, settle in for a battle and keep steady pressure without over-doing it.
Semicossyphus PulcherMales are easy to spot with their black heads, red bodies, and that distinctive forehead bump - females are more pinkish overall. These wrasse family members average 2-8 pounds inshore, but the big boys can hit 20+ pounds around the Channel Islands. They cruise kelp beds and rocky reefs from 10-200 feet, crunching up urchins, crabs, and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Summer months from June through September are prime time when they're spawning and more aggressive. Guests love them for the strong fight and sweet, almost lobster-like meat. They're tricky though - once hooked, they'll dive straight for the rocks to cut your line. My advice: use heavy tackle with at least 40-pound leader, and the second you feel that bite, start working them up and away from structure.
Ophiodon ElongatusThese gnarly-looking fish with their massive teeth and speckled coloring are real characters. Despite the name, they're actually greenlings, not cod. Most run 15-25 pounds, but females can push 40+ pounds. You'll find them hanging around rocky bottom from 30-300 feet, especially near kelp beds where they ambush prey. They're aggressive fighters that would rather scrap than flee - makes for exciting battles. The meat is excellent eating, firm and white. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're active and feeding. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them up fast. If they make it back to their rocky hideout, they'll wrap you up and break you off every time.
Sphyraena ArgenteaDon't let their toothy grin fool you - these silver torpedoes are actually pretty skittish despite looking mean. They average around 3 feet and 8-12 pounds, but 15-pounders pop up during good years. You'll spot them near the surface around kelp beds and structure, especially when bait schools are thick. Spring and fall are your best bets for bigger fish as they migrate through our waters. What makes them fun is that wild surface fight - they'll jump and thrash like crazy when hooked. The meat's decent, though a bit strong for some folks. They've got incredible eyesight and will spook easily, so here's the deal: use long casts and retrieve your lure steadily to trigger their chase instinct. Once they commit, they hit hard and the show begins.
Seriola LalandiThese yellow-finned speedsters are what California fishing dreams are made of. Most fish run 15-25 pounds, but 40-pounders show up regularly around the Channel Islands. They're strong, fast swimmers that'll test your drag and your arms. You'll find them around kelp beds, rocky reefs, and structure from the surface down to 100+ feet. Summer's the hot season when warm water brings them north from Baja - that's when the bite really turns on. Guests go crazy for these fish because they fight hard and the meat's fantastic for sashimi. Live bait works best, but here's a local trick: when you hook up, don't horse them. Let them make their first run, then apply steady pressure. Fight them too hard early and they'll either break off or wear you out.
Huntington Beach, CA