Santa Barbara

Why it fishes

Santa Barbara sits at the very top of the Bight, tucked in the lee of Point Conception. The water here is colder and richer than down south — fed by upwelling — which makes it some of the best rockfish and lingcod water in California, on deep reefs around the northern Channel Islands.

It’s not only bottom fish. The Channel kelp holds big calico, spring brings white seabass on the squid, and warm years push yellowtail up into the Channel. From one harbour you can fish deep structure or work the kelp line.

What you’ll chase

Leaving Santa Barbara, on any given week you could tangle with:

The grounds within range

• Santa Cruz Island

  The largest of the Channel Islands — miles of kelp and deep reef for calico, rockfish and lingcod.

• Santa Rosa & San Miguel

  Farther, wilder islands with cold, rich water and outstanding rockfish and lingcod when weather allows.

• Anacapa Island

  The closest island — kelp and reef for calico, white seabass and rockfish.

• The Channel kelp

  Naples, Gaviota and the mainland kelp — big calico and white seabass on the squid.

When it’s good

Santa Barbara’s rockfish and lingcod fish the deep reefs whenever the CDFW season is open and the weather cooperates. White seabass turn on in spring, calico works the kelp through the warm months, and warm years bring yellowtail into the Channel in summer and fall.

Warmer means better. A rough shape of the year, not a promise — the ocean writes its own calendar, which is exactly why you check the daily read.