As of November 16, 2024, the fishing scene in the Pacific Ocean off California's coastline is looking promising, despite the closure of the Pacific halibut recreational fishery as of November 15, 2024, or when the quota was reached.
### Weather and Tidal Conditions
Today, you can expect variable winds of less than 10 knots, with seas maintaining a calm 3 feet. The wave details show a mix of northwest and southwest waves, each around 2 feet high, with periods of 4 to 14 seconds. Patchy fog is anticipated, especially in the morning, reducing visibility to about 1 nautical mile or less[2].
Sunrise is at around 6:30 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:45 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing trips.
### Fish Activity and Catches
Yesterday's catches were impressive, particularly for rockfish. At the Ventura Coast, anglers brought in 80 rockfish, along with a halibut, a lingcod, and a sheephead. In the Los Angeles area, boats returned with significant numbers of rockfish, bocaccio, and red snapper. San Diego saw a haul of 210 rockfish, 41 whitefish, and 3 sheephead[4].
### Best Lures and Bait
For the current conditions, using Hookup Baits on a triple swivel with two baits has been highly effective. It's recommended to use 20-25 lb fluorocarbon leaders and add some scent to your lures to increase your chances of getting bites. The mantra remains: "DON'T BLINK ON THE SINK"[2].
### Hot Spots
- **Channel Islands Sportfishing**: This area has been producing good numbers of rockfish, halibut, and lingcod.
- **Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach**: Boats here have been catching a mix of rockfish, bocaccio, and red snapper.
- **Seaforth Sportfishing in San Diego**: This spot is yielding a high number of rockfish and whitefish.
Overall, the conditions are favorable for a productive day of fishing, especially if you're targeting rockfish and other bottom-dwellers. Make sure to check the latest regulations and gear up accordingly.