Ventura Sportfishing & Channel Islands ChartersIn the past 20 years the fish landings have averaged about 9,000 pounds annually with 39,000 pounds in the peak year of 1944. The chief species have been lobster, albacore, barracuda, and swordfish. In 1951 the leading species were albacore and lobster. Two or three skiff fishermen operate a few lobster traps out of Laguna and a couple of small boats fish for abalone one or two days a week during the season. There is very little sport fishing at Laguna.
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Heads up: Spirit Sportfishing is relaunching as a fishing charter concierge — we're not booking trips yet. Join the Plan a Trip waitlist or call (310) 622-2830 and we'll match you with a vetted partner boat and captain when trips resume.
Ventura Harbor is the gateway to the northern Channel Islands — Anacapa and Santa Cruz are a short hop across the channel, and the water around them fishes like Southern California did decades ago: thick kelp, big calico bass, and structure loaded with rockfish and lingcod. If you want the islands without the long run from LA or San Diego, Ventura is the port.
Island fishing: what to expect
Around Anacapa and Santa Cruz, boats work the kelp lines and boiler rocks for calico bass (some of the biggest in the state live here), white seabass and yellowtail in season, and sheephead. The deeper rockpiles produce rockfish, lingcod, and vermilion rockfish. Overnight and multi-day trips push to Santa Rosa and San Miguel for truly world-class bottom fishing.
Local trips too
Not every day needs the islands — half-day and 3/4-day boats fish the Ventura coast for calico bass, halibut, barracuda, and rockfish. Check the seasonal calendar to time your trip, and fish counts to see what's biting this week.
See also our Channel Islands charter overview, then Plan a Trip — we'll match you with the right Ventura boat for island or local water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why fish the Channel Islands from Ventura?
Ventura Harbor is the closest mainland port to Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands — short crossings to some of the richest, least-pressured water in Southern California, with thriving kelp forests and rocky structure.
What species will we target?
Calico bass, white seabass, yellowtail, rockfish, lingcod, and sheephead around the islands. The island kelp beds are famous for trophy calico bass.
How long are Channel Islands trips?
Most island trips are 3/4-day to full-day; overnights and multi-day trips reach the outer islands (Santa Rosa, San Miguel) for the best rockfish and lingcod fishing in the region.
How do I book through Spirit Sportfishing?
We're relaunching as a concierge and aren't booking yet. Join the Plan a Trip waitlist or call (310) 622-2830 and we'll match you with a vetted partner boat out of Ventura when trips resume.
Ready to get on the water? Plan your trip — we match you with the best boat and captain for it.
