Offshore fishing out of Ventura and Oxnard
Offshore and tuna fishing from Channel Islands Harbor and Ventura. The islands and banks in range, and what it takes to find tuna this far north.
Today at Channel Islands
Updated Oct 31, 1:11 pm- Sunrise
- 7:14 am
- Sunset
- 6:06 pm
- Moon
- Waning gibbous, 73% lit
Tides
| Sat | 4:06 am | High | 3.6 ft |
| Sat | 7:21 am | Low | 3.3 ft |
| Sat | 1:46 pm | High | 5.5 ft |
| Sat | 9:49 pm | Low | -0.2 ft |
| Sun | 4:19 am | High | 3.9 ft |
| Sun | 8:22 am | Low | 3.3 ft |
| Sun | 2:13 pm | High | 5.1 ft |
| Sun | 9:57 pm | Low | -0.1 ft |
NOAA tide station 9411340, feet above MLLW.
Water at the nearest spots
- Hidden Reef26 nm S73°F
- Kidney Bank37 nm SSE72°F
- Santa Barbara Island42 nm SSE71°F
- Osborn Bank49 nm S71°F
- San Nicolas Island56 nm SSW68°F
- 499 Spot58 nm SSE72°F
Satellite water temperature. All spots →
Marine forecast
Ventura and the Santa Barbara ChannelMarine Weather StatementSE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming NW 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft
- Tonight
- SE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming NW 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 5 seconds and SW 2 ft at 13 seconds. Rain.
- Sun
- NW wind 10 to 20 kt, becoming W 20 to 30 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft, building to 4 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 5 ft at 6 seconds and S 2 ft at 15 seconds. A chance of showers in the morning.
- Sun Night
- W wind 20 to 30 kt, becoming N 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: NW 6 ft at 7 seconds and S 2 ft at 16 seconds.
- Mon
- NE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming NW in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds.
PZZ650 · East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island
Ventura County boats fish the northern edge of Southern California’s tuna water. Tuna aren’t here every year, and when they are it’s usually in warm seasons. But the islands and banks to the south and west are some of the most productive offshore water anywhere.
The harbors
Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard and Ventura Harbor both have public launch ramps and sportfishing landings. Most offshore trips head south toward the outer islands and banks.
What’s in range
Straight-line nautical miles from Channel Islands Harbor.
| Spot | Distance |
|---|---|
| Hidden Reef | 26 nm |
| Kidney Bank | 37 nm |
| Santa Barbara Island | 42 nm |
| Osborn Bank | 49 nm |
| San Nicolas Island | 56 nm |
| 499 Spot | 58 nm |
| The Snail | 58 nm |
| 474 Spot | 62 nm |
| Catalina Island | ~62 nm |
| Cherry Bank | 78 nm |
| San Clemente Island | 84 nm |
| Tanner Bank | 88 nm |
Where to look
- Around Santa Barbara Island. Hidden Reef, Kidney Bank and Osborn Bank sit around the island. In warm years, this is often where tuna turn up closest to Ventura County.
- Toward San Nicolas Island. Farther out and more exposed, with big open water around it.
- The back side of Catalina. A long run from here, but sometimes where the fish are.
Know the water
The outer waters off Ventura County are exposed. The northwest wind is often stronger here than farther south, and it can build quickly.
- Watch the forecast for the outer waters, not just the coast.
- Leave a big fuel margin. Runs to the islands are long, and the ride home is often into the wind. The rule of thirds →
- Know the closed areas. The Channel Islands have marine protected areas with no-take zones, and parts of San Nicolas Island’s waters are restricted by the Navy at times.
When the fish are south
In most seasons the tuna are south: off San Diego, around San Clemente Island and in Mexican waters. That’s over 100 miles from Oxnard. Ventura County anglers chasing tuna in those years usually trailer south or ride a sportboat from San Diego.
Not for navigation. Distances are approximate straight lines. Check current CDFW rules and MPA boundaries before you go.