5.0(1 Reviews)Family Full Day Amberjack, Halibut & Lingcod Trip
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore fishing targeting halibut, lingcod, and amberjackFamily-friendly 12-hour trip welcomes all experience levels aboardSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests per charter
Picture this: you and your crew hauling in trophy-sized lingcod while the kids get their first taste of what makes offshore fishing so addictive. Captain Spivey's family-friendly full day charter takes you into Santa Barbara's most productive waters for a 12-hour adventure that's equal parts fishing clinic and memory-making machine. With room for up to four anglers, this isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. You'll have space to move around, personalized attention, and the kind of hands-on guidance that turns fishing rookies into lifelong anglers. Whether you're teaching the grandkids how to tie knots or watching your teenager battle their first amberjack, this trip delivers the goods both in the cooler and in the smile department.
Captain Spivey knows these Santa Barbara waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the game plan to put you on fish all day long. You'll start early, heading offshore to target multiple species across different depths and structures. The beauty of this 12-hour format is the variety – you're not stuck fishing one spot or one technique all day. Expect to move around, hitting rockfish grounds, kelp beds, and deeper offshore structure where the big amberjack roam. The boat's got plenty of deck space so everyone can fish comfortably without getting tangled up in each other's lines. Captain Spivey keeps things relaxed but productive, making sure the kids stay engaged while the adults get their fishing fix. He'll help with everything from baiting hooks to coaching first-timers through their fights, and he's got a knack for reading the water that keeps the action steady throughout the day.
You'll be using a mix of bottom fishing and mid-water techniques depending on what species you're targeting. For lingcod and halibut, expect heavy sinkers and live or cut bait fished near the bottom around rocky structure and sandy flats. The amberjack fishing typically involves iron jigs or live bait presentations in deeper water where these hard-fighting fish cruise the mid-water column. Captain Spivey provides all the tackle, but if you've got your own gear, bring medium to heavy action rods with strong reels – these fish don't give up easy. The halibut fishing relies on patience and feel, slowly working baits across the bottom, while lingcod fishing is more about precise drops around rocks and ledges. When the amberjack bite is on, you might switch to iron jigs or yo-yo techniques that really get their attention. Don't worry if you're new to these methods – Captain Spivey walks everyone through the techniques and adjusts the approach based on your skill level.
"We had a fantastic time with the captain. My crew and I wanted a fishing trip to get away from our busy lives. We thought we were just going fishing. Instead we had a comprehensive tailored guide trip for plenty of fish to not only fill our freezers but a memory to last a lifetime. I cannot wait to go on the trip again. We started with rock fish then headed over to the sheepshead and other specials then ended with king cod fishing. I could tell the captain loved what he did and wanted us to have the best fishing experience, and boy we were not disappointed. I've been on many chartered trips from Alaska to Florida's coast to overseas trips, but this one takes the cake. If you are hesitant about booking, call the captain and he will tailor a specific trip from the novice to the well experienced! Highly recommended and can't wait to go again!!!" - Rodney
Lingcod are the bruisers of this trip – these prehistoric-looking predators can stretch over three feet and put up a fight that'll test your tackle and your technique. They hang around rocky bottoms and kelp edges, ambushing anything that looks like an easy meal. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at trophy lingcod, with summer being prime time when they're most active and aggressive. What makes lingcod so exciting is their unpredictable nature – they might grab your bait the second it hits bottom, or they might follow it up for twenty feet before deciding to strike. Their massive mouths and aggressive feeding style make them a blast for kids and adults alike.
Yellowtail Amberjack bring the speed and endurance that serious anglers crave. These fish are built for long, powerful runs that'll have your drag screaming and your arms burning. They typically show up in Santa Barbara waters during the warmer months, cruising in schools around offshore structure and kelp paddies. Amberjack can push 20-30 pounds in these waters, and they fight every ounce of the way to the boat. They're notorious for making multiple runs, just when you think you've got them whipped. The key to amberjack success is staying patient during the fight and keeping steady pressure – rush them and they'll find a way to break you off.
Atlantic Halibut represent the dinner table gold standard on this trip. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sandy bottoms waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. Halibut fishing requires finesse and patience – you're feeling for that subtle tap-tap that signals a fish mouthing your bait. They can range from keeper-sized fish perfect for the family dinner table up to genuine trophy specimens that'll have you telling stories for years. The best halibut action typically happens during spring and summer when they move into shallower waters to feed. What anglers love about halibut is the combination of challenge and reward – they're tricky to hook consistently, but when you connect, you know you've got something special on the other end.
This family-friendly full day charter hits all the right notes – variety, action, and the kind of personal attention that makes the difference between a goo
Your family fishing adventure launches aboard a brand-new 2023 Sea Chaser center console, perfectly rigged for chasing big game fish in Santa Barbara's offshore waters. This 24-footer cuts through swells with twin 140HP Suzuki outboards, cruising smoothly at 26 knots to reach prime amberjack and halibut grounds. The spacious center console layout gives everyone room to cast, fight fish, and move around safely while Captain Spivey puts you on the bite. Modern fish finder technology helps locate schools of lingcod hiding in rocky structure, while GPS and radar keep you fishing productively all day. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the full 12-hour adventure. With a convenient head and plenty of deck space for up to 4 anglers, this boat handles family fishing perfectly – whether you're teaching kids to bait hooks or celebrating dad's personal best halibut.
Hippoglossus HippoglossusPacific Halibut are the true giants of the flatfish world around here, with their diamond-shaped bodies and both eyes on the dark side. Most fish run 20-40 pounds, but we regularly see 100+ pounders that'll give you a workout. They live on sandy and muddy bottoms in 80-400 feet, ambushing everything from rockfish to crabs. Spring through fall offers the best action when they move into shallower feeding areas. What makes them special is the combination of size, fight, and some of the best eating you'll find - firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key is drifting with heavy jigs and keeping contact with the bottom. Once hooked, take your time and let the fish tire itself out.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are some of the gnarliest-looking fish you'll encounter out here, with massive heads full of razor-sharp teeth that earned them the nickname "Buckethead." Despite their intimidating appearance, they're actually greenlings, not true cod. Most run 15-25 pounds, though females can get much larger than males. You'll find them hugging rocky bottoms in 30-300 feet, using their mottled coloring to ambush prey from kelp beds and crevices. They're aggressive fighters but also pretty lazy - they'd rather stand their ground than run when hooked. The meat is excellent eating, white and flaky. Here's the trick: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them up quick before they wrap your line around the rocks below.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail are the speed demons of our local waters, known for their bright yellow fins and silver sides that flash as they cruise kelp beds and rocky structure. Most weigh 15-25 pounds, but we see 40-pounders when conditions are right. They love warm summer water and hang around mid-depth near reefs, though you can coax them up with chum. These fish are built for speed and power - once hooked, they'll make long runs that'll test your drag and your patience. The meat is outstanding, especially for sashimi. They're not picky eaters, but live bait works best. Pro tip: when you're fighting one, don't horse it - let it run and tire itself out, or it'll snap your line on the nearest rock pile.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a fantastic time with the captain. My crew and I wanted a fishing trip to get away from our busy lives. We thought we were ...
Santa Barbara