Deep Sea Fishing Long Beach | 12 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour offshore trip targets Yellowtail, Mahi Mahi, and Yellowfin TunaSmall group charter accommodates maximum 4 guests for personalized experienceFull-day deep sea adventure departs from Long Beach waters
Picture this: you're 20+ miles off the coast of Long Beach, surrounded by nothing but blue Pacific water, and your reel starts screaming as something big takes your bait. This is what our 12-hour deep sea fishing adventure is all about. With Wet Willy Charters, you'll chase some of Southern California's most prized gamefish in waters where the real trophies live. We're talking Yellowfin Tuna that'll test your drag, Mahi Mahi that put on aerial shows, and Yellowtail Amberjack that'll make your arms burn. This isn't your typical half-day harbor trip – we're heading to the productive offshore grounds where the big fish roam.
Our 12-hour sportfishing trip starts before dawn, giving us maximum time on the prime fishing grounds. We'll cruise out to the deep blue water where the Continental Shelf drops off and the real action happens. The small group size – just 4 anglers max – means you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room at the rail. No fighting crowds or waiting your turn to fish the hot spots. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, reading conditions and moving to where the fish are biting. You'll fish various depths and techniques throughout the day, from surface iron jigs to deep-dropped live bait, adapting to what the fish want. The long duration lets us cover serious ground, hitting multiple spots and giving you the best shot at filling the cooler with quality fish.
We run a mix of trolling and drift fishing depending on what's biting and where we find the schools. When we're on the troll, we'll pull feathers, cedar plugs, and skirted lures at different speeds to entice those pelagic species. Once we mark fish on the sonar or find floating kelp with life underneath, we'll switch to drift mode with live bait or heavy jigs. The crew will have you rigged with 30-50 pound class tackle that can handle these hard-fighting offshore species. Circle hooks and proper rigging ensure solid hooksets while giving the fish a fighting chance. You'll learn to work the iron jigs with that distinctive long-range yo-yo technique that drives Yellowtail crazy, plus how to present live sardines and anchovies to finicky Tuna. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – the crew will coach you through every step.
Yellowfin Tuna are the bread and butter of our offshore trips, and these fish are pure muscle wrapped in silver. Most of our Yellowfin run 15-40 pounds, though larger "cows" over 50+ pounds show up regularly during peak season from late spring through fall. They're notorious for their blistering first runs that'll have your reel smoking, then they sound deep and bulldoze their way around. What makes Yellowfin so special is their incredible table fare – that deep red meat is sashimi-grade and tastes like nothing you'll buy in a store. They school up around temperature breaks and structure, often feeding early morning and late afternoon when the bite really turns on.
Mahi Mahi, or Common Dolphinfish as they're technically called, bring the acrobatics to offshore fishing. These brilliant gold and green fish explode from the water in spectacular jumps, putting on a show that'll have you whooping and hollering. They range from smaller "schoolies" around 5-10 pounds up to hefty bulls pushing 30+ pounds. Mahi love floating debris, kelp paddies, and anything that provides shade in the open ocean. They're aggressive feeders and will often double or triple up when you find a good school. The meat is firm, white, and mild – perfect for grilling or fish tacos. Peak Mahi season runs late spring through early fall when the water temps climb and they migrate north from Baja.
Yellowtail Amberjack are the bulldogs of the bunch, using every bit of structure and current to try and break you off. These amber-flanked fighters typically run 15-30 pounds in our local waters, with larger specimens exceeding 40 pounds showing up around the offshore banks and islands. They're incredibly structure-oriented, hugging kelp beds, rocky reefs, and drop-offs where baitfish congregate. Yellowtail have serious attitude and will slam iron jigs worked aggressively near the bottom. Once hooked, they make powerful runs toward whatever cover they can find. The meat is excellent – rich and flavorful with a firm texture that's perfect for the grill or smoker.
This 12-hour deep sea adventure gives you the full offshore experience that day-trippers just can't match. You'll fish prime time hours when these gamefish are most active, cover vast amounts of productive water, and have the crew's undivided attention with our small group format. The memories of that first Yellowfin screaming drag or watching a Mahi cartwheel across the surface will stick with you long after the trip ends. We provide all the rods, reels, and tackle – you just bring your fishing license, snacks, drinks, and cooler for your catch. These spots fill up fast during peak season, so don't wait until the last minute. Book your 12-hour offshore adventure with Wet Willy Charters today and find out why serious anglers keep coming back for more of that deep water action.
Meet your offshore fishing machine – a 2019 Parker Pilothouse that's built for serious anglers chasing trophy fish in Long Beach waters. This 300HP Yamaha-powered beauty cruises at 34mph, getting your crew of up to 4 out to the deep water hunting grounds where Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Yellowtail Amberjack roam. She's loaded with everything you need for a successful 12-hour fishing adventure: GPS to navigate those prime fishing spots, radar for safe running in marine layers, and a fish finder to locate schools beneath the surface. The live bait well keeps your sardines and anchovies fresh and lively, while the icebox ensures your catch stays cold and your beverages stay refreshing during those long hours on the water. Whether you're battling a screaming yellowtail or watching dolphins play in the bow wake, this versatile fishing platform delivers the stability and performance serious saltwater anglers demand.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are pure eye candy - brilliant gold and blue colors that light up like a rainbow when they're fighting. They average 15-29 pounds and live fast, growing quick and spawning year-round. Look for them under floating debris, kelp patties, or any structure on the surface in warm water. They're surface dwellers that love chasing flying fish, so skipping baits work great. The fight is acrobatic with jumps and runs, plus the meat is some of the best eating - mild, sweet, and firm. What guests love most is watching those colors change as you bring them to the boat. Pro tip: once you find one mahi, stick around and work the area thoroughly. They usually travel in small schools, so where there's one, there's often more.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the speed demons of the deep - they can hit 50 mph and fight like freight trains. Out here we typically see 60-pounders, though they can grow much larger. These warm-blooded fish cruise the upper 300 feet of water and travel huge distances following bait schools. They're open year-round but summer brings the best action when water temps rise. The meat is world-class - firm, rich, and perfect for sushi or steaks on the grill. What makes them special is that explosive surface strike when they come up to smash a lure. My go-to tip: when fish are marked deep but won't bite, bring in your trolling spread and drop jigs. Sometimes chunking dead bait brings them up from the depths when nothing else works.
Seriola LalandiYellowtails are some of the strongest fighters you'll hook out here. Most run 15-25 pounds, but the big ones can hit 40+ and they'll test your gear with their speed and power. You'll find them around Catalina and San Clemente Islands during summer when the water warms up, usually hanging near kelp beds and rocky structure. They cruise both deep and mid-water looking for bait. These fish have beautiful yellow fins and make excellent sushi - the meat's oily and flavorful. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, don't horse it in too fast or it'll panic and dive straight into the kelp. Let it run, then work it up steady. Bring gloves because that braid will burn your hands on a big yellowtail.
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