Catalina Island Fishing | 9 Hour Charter Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
9-hour inshore fishing charter around Catalina Island watersSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests aboardProfessional charter service targeting multiple coastal fish species
Looking for a proper fishing adventure that'll put some serious bends in your rod? This 9-hour Catalina Island charter with Wet Willy Charters is where you want to be. We're talking about some of the most productive waters off the California coast, where the fish are hungry and the action stays hot all day long. With just 4 anglers max, you're not gonna be elbow-to-elbow with a crowd – everyone gets plenty of room to work their tackle and fight their fish properly. The waters around Catalina are legendary for good reason, and after nearly a decade of running these trips, I can tell you the fishing here never gets old.
You'll be targeting some of the best inshore species California has to offer, and trust me, these fish don't mess around. We're talking lingcod that'll test your drag, yellowtail that'll make screaming runs, and rockfish that know every ledge and crevice around the island. The boat heads out early to make the most of that 9-hour window, and Captain Willy knows exactly where to find the bite depending on conditions, tides, and what's been producing lately. The waters around Catalina offer everything from kelp forests loaded with calicos to rocky structure holding heavyweight lingcod. One minute you might be working jigs in 60 feet, the next you could be drifting live bait over deeper structure where the yellowtail cruise. It's this variety that keeps every angler on board engaged, whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who lives for the bite.
We run a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where we find the fish. Live bait fishing is huge here – sardines, anchovies, and mackerel work magic on the yellowtail and bigger bass. You'll also get into some serious jig fishing, especially around the rockier areas where lingcod and rockfish hang out. Iron jigs in blue and white, along with some heavier models for deeper water, are absolutely deadly. The crew will have you rigged up properly from the start, but if you're bringing your own gear, think medium-heavy to heavy action rods with solid reels that can handle 20-30 pound line. The fish here aren't shy about heading for cover, so you need tackle that can turn them when it counts. We also work some surface iron when conditions are right and the fish are up feeding – nothing beats the visual excitement of watching a yellowtail crash your lure on top.
Lingcod are the heavyweights of this fishery, and Catalina's rocky bottom structure is prime territory for these aggressive predators. These fish can push 20 pounds or more, with massive mouths full of teeth that'll make you respect every hookset. They're most active during cooler months from late fall through early spring, hanging tight to structure in 40-120 feet of water. What makes lingcod so exciting is their attitude – they'll absolutely crush a jig or live bait, then try to wrap you around every rock they can find. The fight is all power and determination, and when you finally get one to the boat, you'll understand why serious anglers target these fish specifically.
Redstripe rockfish might be smaller than lingcod, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and excellent table fare. These colorful fish live along the rocky reefs and kelp edges, typically in 60-200 feet of water. They're active year-round but really turn on during summer months when baitfish are abundant. What's great about redstripe is they're willing biters on both bait and jigs, making them perfect for anglers still learning the ropes. Plus, they're absolutely delicious – firm, white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a proper fish fry back home.
Yellowtail amberjack are the speed demons of Catalina's waters, and when they're around, you know you're in for some serious action. These fish show up strongest during warmer months, typically May through October, and they're built for one thing – making long, powerful runs that'll test your equipment and your patience. Yellowtail average 8-15 pounds around Catalina, but bigger fish definitely cruise these waters. They're suckers for live sardines and anchovies, especially when fished near kelp edges or over deeper structure. The initial run on a yellowtail is legendary – they'll peel line off your reel like it's their job, and just when you think you've got them figured out, they'll make another blistering run toward the kelp.
Pacific barracuda bring a different kind of excitement to the mix with their lightning-fast strikes and acrobatic fights. These silver bullets are most active during summer and early fall, often found in schools around bait concentrations. Barracuda hit fast and fight dirty, often jumping and thrashing at the surface. They're not the biggest fish you'll catch, typically running 3-8 pounds, but they make up for it with pure aggression and speed. Live anchovies work great, but they'll also crush surface iron and smaller jigs when they're in feeding mode.
Barred sand bass are the local favorites that keep anglers coming back for more. These fish live around sandy areas mixed with structure, and they're active pretty much year-round in Southern California waters. What makes barred sand bass special is their willingness to bite and their scrappy fighting style. They average 2-5 pounds, but don't let that fool you – they know how to use the current and structure to their advantage. Live bait works great, but they're also perfect targets for lighter jigs and soft plastics. Many regulars consider them the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat.
This top
Your fishing adventure around Catalina Island starts aboard this reliable 2019 Parker Pilothouse, built for serious anglers who want comfort and performance. The 300HP Yamaha engine delivers a smooth 34mph cruise, getting you to the hotspots quickly while saving fuel for a full day on the water. This boat's pilothouse design keeps you protected from wind and spray while still giving you easy access to all fishing areas. The live bait well keeps your sardines and anchovies fresh, while the fish finder helps locate schools of yellowtail, calico bass, and rockfish in Catalina's productive waters. GPS navigation ensures precise positioning over underwater structure, and radar provides safety in morning fog. The spacious cockpit gives all four anglers room to fight fish without tangling lines, plus there's an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long stretches between bites. Whether you're targeting bottom fish around the island's kelp forests or trolling for pelagics in deeper water, this setup handles it all with the reliability you need for a successful day of California saltwater fishing.
Paralabrax NebuliferSand bass are the bread and butter of Southern California fishing - reliable, fun to catch, and great eating. These chunky fish average 10 inches but can hit 26 inches and 13 pounds. You'll recognize them by their grumpy-looking mouths and dark vertical bars along greenish-gray sides. They prefer sandy bottoms near rocks and kelp in 60-100 feet of water, though smaller ones hang in the shallows. May through October is prime time when they school up and feed heavily, especially around sunset and into the night. Guests enjoy them because they're scrappy fighters that hit just about anything you throw at them. The meat is excellent - firm and mild. Best bite happens during full moons when they feed most actively. My tip: find the depth they're feeding at first, then work that zone consistently. Live squid is magic, but plastics work great too.
Ophiodon ElongatusDespite their name, lingcod aren't actually cods but fierce predators from the greenling family. These gnarly-looking fish with massive heads and razor-sharp teeth typically run 15-30 pounds around Catalina, though monsters up to 80 pounds have been caught. They hang out in rocky areas from 30-300 feet deep, using their mottled green-brown coloring to ambush prey from kelp beds and reef crevices. Year-round fishing is possible, but spring and summer offer the best action when they move shallower to spawn. Guests love them because they're aggressive fighters that don't give up easily - they'd rather battle than flee. The meat is excellent eating with firm, white flesh. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to their rocky lairs where they'll wrap your line around structure and break you off.
Sphyraena ArgenteaThese silver torpedoes are pure excitement on light tackle. Pacific barracuda average around 35 inches and 10 pounds, but 18-pounders are definitely possible around Catalina's kelp forests and reefs. They're surface hunters that cruise the top 120 feet, using incredible eyesight to track prey. Spring and fall bring the bigger adults north from Baja, making those our prime seasons. Guests love the explosive surface strikes and aerial shows - they'll jump and thrash like crazy when hooked. They're aggressive predators but surprisingly easy to spook, so finesse matters. The meat is good eating when prepared right. Here's my secret: these fish love the chase, so don't retrieve too fast or too slow. Cast long, keep your lure moving horizontally, and use that steady retrieve to trigger their predator instincts. Live anchovies are hard to beat for bait.
Sebastes ProrigerThese pretty little rockfish average around 13 inches but can reach 20, sporting distinctive red stripes along their pink bodies with olive-green markings. You'll find them schooling over rocky reefs and steep drop-offs, typically between 70-900 feet deep where they hover motionless in mid-water. May through July is prime time when they're most active during spawning season. While they don't fight hard, guests enjoy targeting them for their excellent table fare - light, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos. They're also masters at staying perfectly still in the water column, which is pretty cool to watch. Here's the key: get your bait down fast with metal jigs or diamond jigs since they're deep dwellers. Use squid strips or octopus-style lures, and remember these fish need descending devices if released due to pressure changes.
Seriola LalandiYellowtails are the ultimate SoCal gamefish - fast, strong, and absolutely delicious. These streamlined fighters typically run 15-25 pounds, but 40-pounders show up regularly around Catalina's kelp beds and rocky structure. They're benthopelagic, meaning they cruise near bottom but will chase bait to the surface. Summer is peak season when warm water brings them up from Baja, and they'll stick around through fall. What makes them special is the fight - they're lightning fast with serious pulling power that'll test your drag and your arms. The meat is prized for sushi and sashimi, with rich, oily flesh that's perfect raw or cooked. My go-to trick is using live bait and chumming to bring them up from the depths. Once hooked, don't horse them - steady pressure wins the day, and watch out for their runs toward structure.
Los Angeles