Here’s a few offshore fishing photos to wet your appetite. The fish in the ocean here get much bigger than the fish in these photos, so you will want to make sure you have the right gear for the type of fishing you are doing. The action of your rod and weight of line are important.

WHEN FISHING INSHORE PAY ATTENTION TO THE TIDE – (Inshore in this case is beach, marinas, and pier fishing) Though fish can be caught just about anytime of day, the best times to fish are about two hours before and after the low and high tide. The main reason is the waves and moving water help move the bait for the fish to find them. From small to big, the micro-organisms feed the small critters, the bigger critters eat those critters, and the bigger ones eat them. And you’re lucky, you’ll get to catch and eat the fish eating the bigger critters, such as sand fleas and crabs, worms, and shellfish.

On the smaller side, there lots of Sand Perch year around. And on the bigger side, it’s not uncommon to catch some big halibut in the harbor and on the beaches surrounding the harbor, with an occasional White Seabass. Whether on the mainland or near the islands, halibut mainly feed in shallow sandy water. If you are a beginner, this video by GoFishing Magazine will help get you started on casting. The techniques discussed will help both kids and adults. You can skip the video if you like to move on to fishing areas.

Here is a link with a list of ocean fish that can be caught on the beach and in the marina:

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=35252&inline=true

Here are a few fish that are caught locally, along with the fish named in the link above:

Yellowfin Croaker – These fish put up a nice fight for their size and are delicious to eat as well. They are usually pan-fried of baked in batter.

Calico Bass – Though these are mainly an offshore fish, they can be caught off the rocks at the marina entrance where there is seaweed. They are delicious skinned and filleted, and lightly sauteed in butter with fresh garlic, salt and pepper, and can also be pan-fried or baked. You want to be careful not to overcook a bass, as the meat can get a little dry.

Sand Bass – These bass can be caught almost anywhere in the marina and beach, near the marina entrance. They are just as tasty as the Calico Bass, and can be cooked the same way. Both fish are nice and flaky.

White Seabass – A highly desired fish for the area. They are beyond delicious. They can get to over 50 pounds in our area, and sell for over $30 per pound to restaurants. Folks here love them! Any bass that’s over cooked will be a little tough. Leftovers are good in tacos as well. The seabass in the first photo was close to 60 pounds.

California Corbina – These fish are awesome to catch on light line in the surf. The meat is not as flaky as the bass. It’s a little softer, like the perch. They taste good in batter or dipped in flower, or on the barbecue.

Pacific Dogfish- Some consider the dogfish a delicacy. They taste good if skinned and barbecued, and can also be used with spicer foods.

Bat Rays – The bat rays put up a big fight and are fun to catch. Though most anglers let them go, the wings taste good, a little like scallop. Should you decide to eat one, you will find the meshed cartilage on the wings quite interesting. you can only eat the meat on the wings, which releases when dipped in boiling water for a minute. They are a lot of work, which is why most don’t keep them.

Thresher Shark – Though rare, threshers are sometimes caught towards the east side of the Marina entrance. They come in when the water is warm and sometimes stay in an area between Oxnard and Ventura. These can get pretty big. Most anglers cut the line when they hook one, if the shark hasn’t already. They are delicious on the grill, should you happen bring one in.

Here’s another link with a few more fish you may encounter:

https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=35253&inline=true