Santa Barbara Channel Islands fishing forecast
Santa Barbara Channel Islands is a saltwater fishing spot in Southern California, United States. Anglers here target Yellowfin Tuna, Yellowtail Amberjack, Lingcod. The most productive months are typically June, July, August, September, October, November.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #134 of 409 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
Trending up — 8 points above this spot’s 7-day average
Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals
The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 21.3 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 7 km/h from N, gusting 19 km/h |
| Wave height | 0.8 m at 10 s |
| Current | 0.11 m/s toward W |
| Pressure | 1015 hPa |
| Depth | 84 m |
| Cloud cover | 10% |
| Chlorophyll | 0.17 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 33.5 PSU |
| Mixed-layer depth | 24 m |
| UV index | 0 |
| Precipitation (24h) | 0.1 mm |
| Wind sea | 0.1 m at 2 s |
| Ground swell | 0.5 m at 10 s from S |
| Current shear (surface vs 50 m) | 0.11 → 0.00 m/s |
Nearest buoy: EAST SANTA BARBARA - 12NM Southwest of Santa Barbara, CA (26 km): water 21.3 °C, waves —
The water here is 5.3 °C warmer than the October average of 16.0 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 45.0 m, so surface temperature carries well down the water column.
Santa Barbara tide chart & times · 39 km from this spot
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Santa Barbara Channel Islands
Santa Barbara Channel Islands currently scores 82 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 21.3 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +25.0
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Current +18.0
- moving water concentrates bait
- Chlorophyll +10.1
- plankton density — the base of the food chain
- Waves +9.0
- swell energy stirring the water column
- Wind +8.0
- surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
- Barometric pressure +3.3
- falling pressure often triggers feeding
What’s biting now
The model expects today: kelp-bass, white-seabass, yellowtail-amberjack, barred-surfperch, pacific-barracuda, california-sheephead, barred-sand-bass, california-corbina
Bite windows
Best months for Santa Barbara Channel Islands:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-09-24, 82/100
13 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period
About this spot
Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.
Approximate bottom depth: 84 m
Access & shore
Fishable from shore · offshore ground
What you can catch
-
Thunnus albacares
-
Seriola lalandi
-
Ophiodon elongatus
Best months by species at Santa Barbara Channel Islands
| Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowtail AmberjackSeriola lalandi | ||||||||||||
| LingcodOphiodon elongatus |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| LingcodT14 CCR §28.27 | 2/day | min 55.9 cm | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Two fish, 22 inches minimum. THE SEASON AND THE FISHABLE DEPTH ARE NOT STATEWIDE: open and closed dates and depth restrictions are set separately for each of the five Groundfish Management Areas (Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, Central and Southern) under T14 CCR §§27.25–27.45, and the Groundfish Exclusion Areas are closed to lingcod year-round under §27.50. CDFW may also change the rules in-season under §27.20(e). Check the area you are fishing before you go. | |||
| Yellowtail AmberjackT14 CCR §28.37 | 10/day | min 61 cm | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Ten fish daily. The 24-inch fork-length minimum carries an explicit exception: five fish under 24 inches may be taken or possessed within the ten. | |||
Licensing:
- saltwater-recreational — residents Resident sport fishing licence required. Additional report cards are required for certain species (salmon, sturgeon)., non-residents Non-resident annual, plus 1-day and 10-day options.
FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. California groundfish rules — lingcod, rockfish, cabezon and greenling — are set separately for each of five Groundfish Management Areas, vary by depth, and may be changed in-season by emergency action. White seabass has a seasonal sub-limit south of Point Conception. Always verify the current rules for your area at wildlife.ca.gov before fishing.
Check Santa Barbara Channel Islands before you go
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Nearby spots
Explore 10 more fishing spots within 561 km of Santa Barbara Channel Islands.
-
Channel Islands CA
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San Diego Yellowfin Banks
San Diego Banks
Coronado Islands CA
Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon
Lake Havasu AZ
Lake Mead Nevada
Lake Tahoe CA
Lake Tahoe
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Santa Barbara Channel Islands?
Anglers at Santa Barbara Channel Islands target Yellowfin Tuna, Yellowtail Amberjack and Lingcod.
When is the best time to fish Santa Barbara Channel Islands?
The most productive months at Santa Barbara Channel Islands are typically June, July, August, September, October, November.
What is the fishing forecast for Santa Barbara Channel Islands right now?
Santa Barbara Channel Islands currently scores 82 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Is the thermocline set up at Santa Barbara Channel Islands right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
How deep is the water at Santa Barbara Channel Islands?
The scored point sits over roughly 84 m of water. Depth shapes which species hold here and how the thermocline forms.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Yellowfin Tuna: Chasing the Blue-Water BrawlerHow to Catch Yellowtail Kingfish: Taming the Brown BomberHow to Read Tides for Fishing
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.