Offshore
Santa Cruz Island Offshore
Offshore · California · Santa Cruz Island fishable north-shore shelf west of Scorpion SMR
Location Snapshot
Santa Cruz Island Offshore is a Channel Islands island-shelf fishery off Southern California, built around offshore island structure rather than a mainland harbor or beach fishery. Yellowtail, white seabass, and kelp bass are the principal supported targets, giving the destination a distinctly Southern California island-and-shelf fishing identity.
Information Only
StrikeTracks does not currently provide an Offshore fishing-condition rating. Marine Conditions are observations and forecasts for trip planning. They are not an Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor fishing score.
Marine Conditions
Planning context — not a fishing rating.
Regional Marine Forecast
Tonight
W to NW wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 4 ft at 6 seconds, W 2 ft at 12 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds.
Marine Alerts
- Marine Weather Statement · Minor — Marine Weather Statement issued October 19 at 6:51PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Nearby fishing destinations
California · Southern California coast · Harbor
Approximately 24.6 miles away
California · Southern California coast · Shore
Approximately 69.9 miles away
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Santa Cruz Island Offshore offshore fishery
Santa Cruz Island Offshore is a island-shelf destination in CA. Distinct from Catalina Island Offshore (LA/Long Beach vs Ventura/Oxnard/Santa Barbara). One island. Exclude Scorpion SMR/FMR, Gull Island SMR/FMR, Footprint MR, Anacapa Island SMR/FMR, and Anacapa Special Closure. Anacapa SMCA allows only lobster and pelagic finfish. Channel Islands NP land is not a fishing authorization.
- Habitat and structure
- Fishable island shelf outside SMRs
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Yellowtail and white seabass follow a typical season. Kelp bass follow a typical season. Seasons for Sheephead and lingcod change with the annual rules.
This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.
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 yellowtail
PrimarySeriola dorsalis
Also called Yellowtail
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING — FALL
Atractoscion nobilis
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING — FALL
Paralabrax clathratus
Also called calico bass
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
California sheephead
SecondaryRegulations vary annuallySemicossyphus pulcher
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
Lingcod
SecondaryRegulations vary annuallyOphiodon elongatus
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
Pacific bluefin tuna
SecondaryThunnus orientalis
No seasonal pulse known
Typical Seasonal Targets
- California yellowtail — SPRING — FALL
- White Seabass — SPRING — FALL
- Kelp Bass — SUMMER
- California sheephead — SUMMER
- Lingcod — SUMMER
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
Offshore boat from Ventura / Oxnard / Santa Barbara. Not Ventura Harbor docks.
Primary hazards
Island seas and dense MPA mosaic. These grounds are the fishable water west of Scorpion SMR.
Fishery considerations
- Ventura Harbor tides are not this island's local tide.
- Regional NWS.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
Fishery Sources
Editorial and agency sources supporting this fishery profile. Live and predicted conditions use the separate Data Sources section.
Location and Access
This marker is the mapped fishing area. It is not a boat ramp, a parking area, or a place to drive to.
