9-Hour Dorado & Yellowtail Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
9-hour offshore charter targeting abundant Dorado near Los AngelesAll tackle, bait, and fish cleaning included with tripAlternative yellowtail or island fishing if Dorado unavailable
Captain and crew at Mystic Queen Sportfishing are dialed in on one of the best dorado seasons we've seen in years off Los Angeles. These 9-hour offshore charters are built around patty hopping for mahi mahi, but we're seeing bonus hookups with bluefin tuna, yellowfin, and solid yellowtail when conditions line up right. With all tackle, bait, and fish cleaning included, you just need to show up ready to fish. Small groups of 4 anglers max mean everyone gets prime rod time and personalized attention from our crew.
We'll motor out pre-dawn to hit the kelp paddies and debris lines where dorado are stacked up this season. The bite has been consistent from sunup through mid-morning, then picking back up in the afternoon. Our crew knows these waters inside and out - we're targeting the 20 to 60-mile zones where baitfish are thick and predators are hunting. If the dorado bite slows or conditions shift, we pivot to proven yellowtail spots or make the run to the islands for rockfish and lingcod. Weather permitting, we'll follow the fish wherever they're biting best. Expect to be working different techniques throughout the day as we adapt to what's happening below.
We run a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are telling us. For dorado, we're fly-lining sardines and mackerel around floating kelp and debris. When they're aggressive, surface iron and swimbaits get crushed. Our tackle setup includes 20 to 40-pound outfits spooled with fresh line - perfect for these hard-fighting pelagics. The crew handles all rigging and re-rigging, plus we'll coach you through proper fighting techniques to boat fish quickly. All bait is kept fresh in our live wells, and we carry backup artificials in every color and size. Fish cleaning is handled dockside so your catch goes home ready for the table.
Mahi mahi have been the star this year, with fish ranging from schoolies up to bulls pushing 40 pounds. These dorado are feeding heavily on flying fish and small tuna, making them aggressive and willing to hit both live bait and lures. We're finding them around any floating structure - kelp paddies, logs, debris lines, even trash that's drifted offshore. Yellowtail amberjack are our reliable backup plan, especially around the deeper rockpiles and drop-offs. These fish fight harder pound-for-pound than almost anything else in local waters. When tuna show up, it's usually yellowfin in the 15 to 30-pound range, with the occasional bluefin surprise. The beauty of this fishery is you never know what's going to grab your bait next.
Mahi mahi are pure gold for SoCal anglers - they're not always around, so when they show up like this, you jump on it. These fish are built for speed and acrobatics, often going airborne multiple times during the fight. Dorado are also fantastic table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or fish tacos. They school up around floating objects, so once you find one, there's usually more underneath. Best action typically happens from late spring through fall, but this year's abundance has extended the season.
Yellowtail amberjack are the local favorite for good reason - they're strong, smart, and absolutely delicious. These fish live around structure and will test your drag system and fighting skills. They make long, powerful runs and have a habit of diving for the rocks when hooked. Yellowtail are available year-round but peak in summer and fall. The 15 to 25-pound fish we're seeing provide the perfect balance of fight and table quality. Local yellowtail have that clean, firm meat that makes them a top choice for sashimi or grilling whole.
Dorado opportunities like this don't come around every year in Southern California waters. Our small boat capacity means trips fill up fast, especially on weekends and when the bite is hot like it has been. The crew at Mystic Queen Sportfishing knows where to find fish when conditions are right, and we're not afraid to run and gun to different spots throughout the day. With everything included and fish cleaning handled dockside, this is as turnkey as offshore fishing gets. Whether you're chasing your first dorado or looking to add to your season count, these 9-hour charters give you the best shot at hooking into something special.
The Mystic Queen is a classic 30-foot Don Blackman Billfisher built for serious sportfishing off the LA coast. This 1983 beauty runs on a reliable 200HP Volvo engine that'll get you to the fishing grounds at a steady 15 knots. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, she's equipped with everything you need for a productive day chasing dorado and tuna - fish finder to locate the schools, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus VHF radio to stay connected. The boat features a comfortable flybridge for spotting fish, onboard fridge and icebox to keep your catch fresh, plus a full galley, head, and sleeping quarters for those long offshore runs. With tackle, bait, and cleaning included, you'll be targeting the abundant dorado that have been lighting up the waters this season, along with bluefin, yellowfin, and yellowtail when conditions are right.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi, or dorado as we call them locally, are the most colorful fish you'll catch - bright gold sides with electric blue and green that flash like a light show when they jump. They average 15-29 pounds and love floating debris, kelp paddies, and current breaks in our warmer waters. When conditions are right, usually late summer and fall, they school up and provide fast action. What guests love most is watching them change colors and their acrobatic jumps when hooked. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating around. My go-to tip: make your bait skip on the surface when trolling - they can't resist something that looks like a flying fish trying to escape.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail are some of the strongest fighters you'll hook in our waters. These silver torpedoes with bright yellow fins typically run 15-25 pounds, though we see occasional 40+ pounders that'll test your arms. They hang around kelp beds and rocky structure near Catalina and San Clemente Islands, especially when summer water temps climb. What makes them special is that wild fight - they'll make long powerful runs that can strip line fast. The meat's excellent too, prized for sushi. Best trick I share: when you hook one, let it take that initial run instead of fighting it hard right away. Use heavy tackle and keep steady pressure, but don't horse them or they'll dive into the kelp and cut you off.
Los Angeles