5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Halibut & Lingcod Adventure
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour offshore trip targeting halibut, lingcod, and amberjackBeginnerfriendly guidance with all equipment provided onboardSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests
Looking to get your feet wet with some serious offshore fishing? Captain Darryl Spivey's 12-hour deep sea adventure is hands-down the best way to cut your teeth on Santa Barbara's legendary fishing grounds. This isn't some rushed half-day deal where you're barely getting lines wet before heading back – we're talking a full commitment to putting you on fish. With only 4 anglers max, you'll get the personal attention every beginner needs to really learn the ropes. Darryl's built his reputation on patience and results, turning first-timers into confident anglers who know their way around a rod and reel.
Your day kicks off early – we're talking dark-thirty departure to hit the prime feeding windows when these fish are most active. The boat heads out to proven honey holes where halibut cruise sandy bottoms and lingcod lurk in rocky structure. Don't worry about gear – everything's provided, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. Captain Darryl walks you through each setup, explaining why certain weights work better in specific depths and how to feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact. The atmosphere stays relaxed and supportive, even when fish are biting hot. You'll learn to read the sonar, understand how tides affect fish behavior, and pick up techniques that'll serve you well on future trips. With 12 hours on the water, there's plenty of time to practice different methods and really dial in your skills.
This trip focuses on bottom fishing – the bread and butter technique for targeting halibut, lingcod, and amberjack in Santa Barbara waters. You'll be dropping heavy sinkers and live or cut bait down to depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet, depending on conditions and where the fish are holding. Captain Darryl teaches proper rod positioning, how to maintain bottom contact without getting snagged, and the subtle art of detecting bites when fish mouth baits gently. Circle hooks are the standard here – they hook fish in the corner of the mouth, making releases easier and improving survival rates. You'll learn to work swimbaits for lingcod, drift live anchovies for halibut, and present cut mackerel for amberjack. The key is staying patient and letting the fish tell you what they want. Some days they hit aggressively, other times you need finesse. That's where having an experienced captain like Darryl makes all the difference – he reads the conditions and adjusts tactics accordingly.
"Darryl is a great fishing guide." - Dwight
Atlantic Halibut are the crown jewel of this fishery, and for good reason. These flatfish can grow massive in Santa Barbara waters, with fish over 100 pounds caught regularly during peak season from May through September. Halibut are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand waiting for bait fish to swim overhead. They hit with surprising force for a flatfish, often making powerful runs toward structure once hooked. The fight stays steady and strong, testing your drag system and patience. What makes halibut special is their incredible table fare – firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or pan-frying. Captain Darryl knows the specific sand flats and channel edges where these fish concentrate, adjusting locations based on water temperature and bait movements.
Yellowedge Grouper bring a different kind of excitement to the boat. These deep-water bruisers live in rocky areas and wrecks, typically in 150-300 feet of water. They're not the biggest fish you'll encounter, usually running 5-15 pounds, but they fight like fish twice their size. Yellowedge hit hard and immediately try to get back to their rocky homes, making powerful dives that test your tackle. The best action happens during cooler months when they move into shallower water to feed. These grouper have excellent eating quality with flaky white meat that holds up well to various cooking methods. Their bright yellow fins and edges make them one of the more colorful catches you'll bring aboard.
Lingcod are the predator fish that gets anglers addicted to this style of fishing. These toothy monsters can exceed 30 pounds and fight with raw power and attitude. They inhabit rocky reefs and kelp beds, attacking baits with vicious strikes that leave no doubt you've got something serious on the line. Lingcod are year-round residents in Santa Barbara waters, but the bigger fish show up during winter and spring months. Their mouths are packed with needle-sharp teeth, and they're notorious for making last-second lunges at the boat that can break hearts and lines. The meat is firm and white with a slightly sweet flavor that makes excellent fish and chips. Captain Darryl targets lingcod around specific rock piles and underwater structure where these ambush predators wait for unsuspecting prey.
This top-rated beginner-friendly trip fills up fast, especially during peak fishing months when word spreads about the quality of fish being caught. Captain Darryl's patient teaching style combined with his knowledge of local waters creates the perfect environment for learning proper offshore fishing techniques. You'll leave the dock as a beginner and return as an angler with real skills and confidence. The 12-hour format gives you maximum time on productive water, increasing your chances of experiencing the variety and quality fishing that makes Santa Barbara famous. Don't forget to grab your fishing license before departure – everything else is handled. Whether you're looking to start a new hobby or finally try that deep sea fishing trip you've been thinking about, this world-class adventure delivers the goods. Book your spot now and get ready to experience why local anglers consider these some of the best fishing grounds on the West Coast.
Your fishing platform is a brand-new 24-foot Sea Chaser center console, rigged with twin 140HP Suzuki outboards that'll cruise you to the productive offshore waters at 26 knots. Built in 2023, this boat handles Santa Barbara's swells with ease while you target halibut, lingcod, and amberjack on the rocky structure and sandy bottoms. The center console design gives everyone room to fight fish without tangling lines, and the fish finder will show you exactly what's swimming below. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 12-hour trip, while the GPS and radar ensure safe navigation in any conditions. The onboard toilet means no cutting trips short, and with space for just 4 anglers, you'll get personalized attention from Captain Darryl as he teaches you the techniques that consistently put quality fish on deck in these productive California waters.
Hippoglossus HippoglossusThese massive flatfish are the giants of the ocean floor, averaging 30 pounds but capable of reaching over 400 pounds. Atlantic halibut are powerful swimmers that put up serious fights, making them prized catches for anglers who want a real battle. You'll find them in deeper waters, typically 150-500 feet down around rocky bottoms and drop-offs. They're ambush predators with huge appetites, feeding on everything from cod to squid. The meat is absolutely top-notch - firm, white, and delicious. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they move into shallower feeding areas. One key tip: let your boat drift naturally and keep your bait moving slowly near the bottom. These fish are smart, so patience pays off. Once hooked, get ready for a long fight - they don't give up easy.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the monsters of our local rocky reefs - ugly as sin but absolutely amazing to catch and eat. Despite the name, they're not actually cod, but they've got massive heads full of razor-sharp teeth that'll give you respect real quick. These ambush predators hang out in 30-300 feet around kelp beds and rocky structure, using their mottled coloring to blend in perfectly. Females get much bigger than males - we see fish from 5-20 pounds regularly, with occasional 30+ pounders. They're available year-round, but spring and summer are prime time. What makes them special is their aggressive nature - they'll attack almost anything and fight surprisingly hard for bottom fish. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating around. Pro tip: use metal jigs and work them right along the bottom near rocks. Once hooked, get them up fast before they wrap you up in the kelp.
Hyporthodus FlavolimbatusYellowedge grouper are chunky, powerful fish that average 20-30 pounds with distinctive yellow fin edges and reddish bodies. These solitary hunters live deep - we're talking 400-600 feet down around rocky reefs and ledges. They're bottom dwellers that love structure, so we target steep drop-offs and underwater pinnacles. The meat is outstanding - holds moisture better than most fish with a unique flavor that's part bass, part halibut. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're more active. These fish fight hard once hooked, using their bulk and the deep water to their advantage. My go-to technique is deep dropping with multiple baits - squid, mackerel, or sardines work great. Key tip: use heavy tackle and be ready to muscle them up quickly before they get back to the rocks and cut you off.
5.0 out of 5.0Darryl is a great fishing guide.
Santa Barbara