Yellowtail

Ventura offers some prime opportunities to tangle with hard-fighting Yellowtail. The bite here is heavily influenced by seasonal forage patterns – keep an eye on reports of squid and mackerel schools moving through the Santa Barbara Channel. These attract the yellows, especially during the warmer months, typically late summer and fall. Focus your efforts around structure like Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, where yellows often hold. Live bait is king, but jigs can also be effective when they're actively feeding. A local tip: the harbor at Channel Islands is a reliable launch point, but be prepared for potentially rough conditions crossing the channel. Water clarity is also a major factor; clearer water usually means a better bite, so adjust your tactics accordingly.