San Pedro / Cabrillo Beach is a Southern California harbor-mouth fishery shaped by breakwaters, beach water, kelp-influenced structure, and the transition to the outer Los Angeles Harbor. Kelp bass and California halibut are principal targets, with bonito and Pacific mackerel adding mobile pelagic opportunity.
Active coastal or marine alerts
Beach Hazards Statement
Severity: Moderate
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 12:31PM PDT until October 23 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Begins Oct 19, 2026, 12:31 PM · Ends Oct 23, 2026, 3:00 AM
Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 15, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Harbor-mouth bass and California halibut are the fishery. Spotted sand bass are caught in Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors. Outer-beach perch and croaker effort is seasonal.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
California halibut
Primary
Paralichthys californicus
Also called California flounder
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: JUNE — OCTOBER
These fish are present through the year. The peak shown is the main fishing window.
Kelp bass
Primary
Paralabrax clathratus
Also called calico bass
No seasonal pulse known
Barred sand bass
Primary
Paralabrax nebulifer
No seasonal pulse known
Spotted sand bass
Secondary
Paralabrax maculatofasciatus
Also called spotted bay bass
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: MARCH — NOVEMBER
Barred surfperch
Secondary
Amphistichus argenteus
No seasonal pulse known
Typical Seasonal Targets
California halibut — JUNE — OCTOBER
Spotted sand bass — MARCH — NOVEMBER
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
How to Fish San Pedro / Cabrillo Beach
Typical October approaches include breakwater and outer-beach fishing and cabrillo beach fishing pier for California halibut and Spotted sand bass.
Breakwater and outer-beach fishing
Licensed breakwater for kelp bass; outer surf for perch and halibut. Inner harbor for spotted sand bass.
Best for
California halibut
Spotted sand bass
Modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Setup
Cabrillo Beach setup
Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier
Public pier — no license on the pier — for perch, bass, and halibut.
Best for
California halibut
Modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Setup
Cabrillo Beach setup
Common Tackle Setups
Cabrillo Beach setup
Pier, surf, and structure plastics for bass and halibut.
Rod
7–9 ft medium spinning.
Reel
Spinning reel.
Main line
15–30 lb braid.
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader.
Terminal tackle
Jig heads.; Dropper loops.; Swivels.
Presentation
The adjacent breakwater requires a license even when the pier does not.
Used for
Breakwater and outer-beach fishing
Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier
Typical October Lures and Flies
Common lure and fly families associated with this month’s techniques.
Minnow-style swimming plug
Lure
California halibut
Spotted sand bass
Shallow to midwater · Steady, twitch, pause
Cast across seams and let the plug track with the current
Soft-plastic paddle tail
Lure
California halibut
Spotted sand bass
Shallow, Midwater, Variable · Steady, twitch, jig
Swim steadily through seams or hop lightly near bottom transitions
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
