Yellowtail

If you're looking to tangle with some hard-fighting yellowtail, Long Beach offers some excellent opportunities, especially during the warmer months. These fish are drawn to the area's abundant baitfish schools that flourish in the spring through fall. Focus your efforts around structure like the breakwall, kelp beds off Palos Verdes, and the oil rigs offshore. Live bait like sardines and mackerel are tough to beat, but jigs can also be effective, especially when the fish are actively feeding on the surface. Pay close attention to water temperature; yellowtail prefer warmer waters, so look for areas where the temperature is stable and within their preferred range. A local tip: the early morning bite around the breakwall can be particularly productive. Be sure to check local fishing reports for the latest intel on bait concentrations and recent catches.