About the Pacific Ocean, CA

As the largest ocean on the planet, the Pacific Ocean spans over sixty million square miles and covers more than thirty percent of the earth’s surface. It lies between four continents--North and South America in the east and Asia and Australia in the west. If all of the earth’s landmasses are joined together, the Pacific Ocean would still be bigger. Aside from its immense water area, the Pacific is also the deepest among the world’s five oceans, with an average depth of over thirteen thousand feet. Certain regions can even reach the depths of tens of thousands of feet below the water’s surface.

The ocean got its name from Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan when he called it “Mar Pacifico”, which means peaceful sea. He called it as such because he encountered calm waters upon reaching the ocean. Despite its name, the ocean is actually far from being “peaceful” as storms that bring destructive winds and huge waves are a common occurrence in its waters, especially in certain seasons. Some of the strongest hurricanes recorded in history came from the Pacific. Furthermore, the Ring of Fire, a region where a lot of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur, runs around the boundaries of the ocean, including the whole of the US West Coast. This means that tsunamis can happen anytime in the Pacific.

The US West Coast is our gateway to the largest ocean on the planet. California alone boasts 840 miles of beautiful coastline, with San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Francisco being some of the major cities facing the Pacific. This means that the Golden State’s relationship with the Pacific is deep and enduring, with the ocean being one of the top economic driving forces of the whole state (and the country) through tourism, marine transportation, offshore mineral resources, and of course, fisheries.            

All About Fishing In The Pacific Ocean, CA

Speaking of fisheries, the diversity of fish species that can be found in the Pacific is as vast as the ocean itself. And given its direct connection to the largest ocean in the world, it’s no wonder California is considered a great angling area. To experience the best fishing in California, you can head out far offshore via a fishing charter for some deep-sea action. This is where you can target huge and challenging pelagic fish such as yellowfin and bluefin tuna, mahi-mahi, and marlin. Equally challenging and exciting is when you take a kayak and cast your line on reefs and wrecks not too far from the shores. This is where you can land some yellowtail amberjack, halibut, rockfish, California sheephead, and some sharks. 

You can also enjoy the thrill of catching some quality fish on sturdy ground via a pier, jetty, or straight from the beach. In Northern California, popular inshore targets include California halibut, rockfish, surfperch, surf smelt, jacksmelt, and yes, even some tough-fighting sharks as well. On the other hand, you can land some quality fish such as Calico bass, California corbina, halibut, mackerel, and barracuda in Southern California.

Another fishing method that’s getting more popular in recent decades is spearfishing. Adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts would surely love spearfishing as it allows you to have a truly immersive experience with the underwater environment. Moreover, you can personally see and, thus, handpick your target instead of conventional line fishing that you can only rely on catching fish that bite.

Given California’s more than 800-mile Pacific coastline, you can be assured of a world-class fishing experience wherever you are in the state. For inshore fishing, popular spots include public piers such as Huntington Beach Pier, Seascape Pier, Santa Cruz Wharf, Newport Beach Pier, Santa Monica Pier, and Redondo Beach Pier. For offshore fishing, the deep waters around Catalina and San Clemente Islands are where the real monsters of the sea are known to grow in impressive sizes.      

Fishing Seasonality

Another thing California is renowned for is its all-year-round mild weather, which means that fishing is pretty much an all-year-round affair as well. Of course, if you’re targeting a specific fish species, you have to know when that particular fish would most likely bite. California halibut, for instance, can be caught from May to August. Jacksmelt is known to be more abundant and active from April to August. From October to June is surfperch season. While yellowtail amberjack, although available all year, can reach their peak sizes during the summer months. Different types of tuna, on the other hand, will be more active from May to October. As for the favorite deep-sea targets such as mahi-mahi, marlin, and sharks, they are available for the taking throughout the year.

Fishing Seasonality

Another thing California is renowned for is its all-year-round mild weather, which means that fishing is pretty much an all-year-round affair as well. Of course, if you’re targeting a specific fish species, you have to know when that particular fish would most likely bite. California halibut, for instance, can be caught from May to August. Jacksmelt is known to be more abundant and active from April to August. From October to June is surfperch season. While yellowtail amberjack, although available all year, can reach their peak sizes during the summer months. Different types of tuna, on the other hand, will be more active from May to October. As for the favorite deep-sea targets such as mahi-mahi, marlin, and sharks, they are available for the taking throughout the year.

All About Fishing In The Pacific Ocean, CA

Speaking of fisheries, the diversity of fish species that can be found in the Pacific is as vast as the ocean itself. And given its direct connection to the largest ocean in the world, it’s no wonder California is considered a great angling area. To experience the best fishing in California, you can head out far offshore via a fishing charter for some deep-sea action. This is where you can target huge and challenging pelagic fish such as yellowfin and bluefin tuna, mahi-mahi, and marlin. Equally challenging and exciting is when you take a kayak and cast your line on reefs and wrecks not too far from the shores. This is where you can land some yellowtail amberjack, halibut, rockfish, California sheephead, and some sharks. 

You can also enjoy the thrill of catching some quality fish on sturdy ground via a pier, jetty, or straight from the beach. In Northern California, popular inshore targets include California halibut, rockfish, surfperch, surf smelt, jacksmelt, and yes, even some tough-fighting sharks as well. On the other hand, you can land some quality fish such as Calico bass, California corbina, halibut, mackerel, and barracuda in Southern California.

Another fishing method that’s getting more popular in recent decades is spearfishing. Adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts would surely love spearfishing as it allows you to have a truly immersive experience with the underwater environment. Moreover, you can personally see and, thus, handpick your target instead of conventional line fishing that you can only rely on catching fish that bite.

Given California’s more than 800-mile Pacific coastline, you can be assured of a world-class fishing experience wherever you are in the state. For inshore fishing, popular spots include public piers such as Huntington Beach Pier, Seascape Pier, Santa Cruz Wharf, Newport Beach Pier, Santa Monica Pier, and Redondo Beach Pier. For offshore fishing, the deep waters around Catalina and San Clemente Islands are where the real monsters of the sea are known to grow in impressive sizes.