shell beach Fishing Report 2025

Captain Andrew Viola called in late last night at 11:15 PM.  We just wrapped up an overnight charter.  It was a tough morning the fish slept in.  The fish showed up later in the day and we managed 3 Bluefin Tuna (up to 120 pounds).  It was a very encouraging sign of fish once we got on them.  

We had a 2 day Izorline trip tonight and we have a SOLD OUT trip departing Friday night.

Upcoming Trips
Sunday Night 1.5 Day Trip - has spots
Tuesday Night 1.5 Day Trip - has spots

Here is my squid report regarding the 2 squid jigs I purchased at the Candy Catcher booth in Long Beach. Went out of Seaforth Landing on the New Seaforth Monday night. We were done in about 1.5 hours ... all the squid you wanted. Started off slow, but within 30 minutes it was wide open. I used the Candy Catcher gold colored 1.5 pound jig it was perfect. I like the action of it sinking compared to the longer jigs. I had both types and tried yours and compared to the other Monster jig. Your's did perform better when squid fishing was slow, but when it was wide, well you know the story from there. I did not lose a squid with your jig and fished buttoned down on my 2 speed. Robert

Skipper Drew Henderson docked the Polaris Supreme June 17 after a five-day trip to the mid-Baja islands, on the Pacific side, of course.

"It was windy until the day we came home," he remarked. His 18 anglers managed a good catch of yellowtail and rockfish, however.

George Farnsworth of Kenwood won first place for a 27.6-pound yellowtail. He said it bit on a sardine pin ned to a 3/0 Gamakatsu hook. He used 30-pound Yo-Zuri line on a Saltiga 30 reel and a Calstar 870 M rod to beat the fish in 12 minutes.

"We had a great crew," he stated. "And that made a great trip."

Regular long ranger Joe Beck of San Pedro won second place, for a 27-pound yellow. Michael Robbins of Santa Cruz, one of three generations of family members on the trip, won third place, for a 25.4-pound yellowtail.

We got lucky today in some great weather today and landed 6 Beautiful Bluefin. As usual this year their was plenty of schools to look at that didn't want to bite. Thank you Joe and Mal.I always have a great time fishing with you and THE BOY'S. We are departing tomorrow on a 3 day trip and we have 2 openings. Tommy and Crew!

Very similar to last week with the exception of a big yellowtail day. The potential for a big yellowtail score is definitely out there but several things must come together. On Friday I thought we were going to get our shot. We stopped at a spot and instantly had 8 yellowtail hooked and we were seeing a big school around us. While we were fighting our first 8 fish the motherlode of big bull seal ions came in to ruin our fun. When the dust settled we had only landed 3 and the big school was scared away by the cute cuddly seal ions. Water conditions are about as nice as they could be with temperatures ranging from 67-70 degrees and very clean. The calico bass fishing has been good on the days we get anchovies and the barracuda continue to bite very well at times. All and all we had a very enjoyable week catching surface fish in very nice weather. Hot and sunny in flat calm seas catching gamefish describes our current conditions perfectly. Tackle to bring out remains the same. A 15 or 20 lb. rod to fish anchovies a 25 or 30 lb. rod to fish sardines a 40 lb. jig stick and an assortment of hooks (2's and 2/0's) and small egg or rubber core sinkers (1/8-1/2 oz.) will have you covered.

See you on the water!

Capt. Ryan

We departed today on Eric Rogger's annual 5day trip. We have an excellent group of anglers onboard and picked up some great looking bait. The fishing prospects are looking good and we are anxious to go. We started rolling down to Cedros dinning on some terrific beef and shrimp kabobs, in some great weather. Last trip Drew got some huge yellowtail there. But reports from the albacore grounds got a lot more interesting so we did a 150 degree right turn and headed for the albacore. We will be there tomorrow at daylight. Fishing sounds really good.

"Today we went out we caught 28 Yellowtail. We had a couple good opportunities at them today, one in particular was a very fun stop. We ended up with 28 fish in the 15 to 25 lb. range. They are finding the fly line sardines the best on 25 lb, surface lures will work but the fly line is the best.

We offer these 5:30 to 5:00 Trips everyday. If you'd like to join us call Seaforth Landing 619-224-3383. The way this fishing has been lately it is either feast or famine. You go to a spot, you sit there catching nothing. All of a sudden, 15 are hooked. That is kind of the way they are behaving right now. If you come on down and fish with us please pack a nice big package of patience with you."

Hello gang, Well we just finished up our first few days of maintenance. On Monday January 7th we will have our annual Coast Guard inspection. As of right now I plan to be shut down till the end of the month. Sometime around the 1st of February we will resume fishing. I will keep you posted. Capt. Ryan Bostian