Species × Spot Bait Matrix
Published · Researched 2026-09-20
Research date: 2026-09-20. Each cell: live/natural bait first, artificial second, separated by /. — = no established fishery for that species at that spot (do not invent one).
Mainland columns follow the 36 spot slugs in phase2/spots/; the catalina mainland column mirrors the island nearshore fishery. Island columns are copied verbatim from phase2/islands/matrix-addendum.md (authoritative). santa-barbara-island is a no-take reserve — its column is closed to fishing.
Species |
balboa-pier |
big-bear-lake |
carlsbad-state-beach |
castaic-lake |
catalina |
corona-del-mar |
crystal-cove |
crystal-pier |
dana-point |
dana-point-jetty |
del-mar |
dockweiler-state-beach |
hermosa-beach-pier |
huntington-beach-pier |
huntington-state-beach |
la-jolla-kelp |
laguna-beach |
lake-casitas |
lake-perris |
long-beach-harbor |
malibu |
manhattan-beach |
manhattan-beach-pier |
mission-bay |
newport-beach |
oceanside-harbor |
oceanside-pier |
palos-verdes |
point-loma |
redondo-beach-pier |
san-clemente |
san-clemente-pier |
san-diego-bay |
san-pedro |
santa-monica-pier |
seal-beach-pier |
catalina |
san-clemente-island |
santa-barbara-island |
san-nicolas-island |
santa-cruz-island |
santa-rosa-island |
anacapa-island |
san-miguel-island |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
bluefin-tuna |
— | — | — | — | live sardine / surface iron, stickbaits, poppers (offshore banks) | — | — | — | live sardine, sinker rig / knife jig (night) | live sardine / knife jig (night, offshore runs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | live sardine / knife jig (night) | — | — | — | live sardine / knife jig (night, offshore runs) | live sardine / knife jig (night) | live sardine / knife jig (night) | — | — | — | — | — | — | live sardine / knife jig (night) | — | — | — | live sardine / surface iron, stickbaits, poppers (offshore banks) | live sardine, live mackerel / surface iron, stickbaits, poppers (offshore) | no-take reserve — n/a | — | — | — | — | — |
yellowfin-tuna |
— | — | — | — | live sardine / cedar plugs, feathers (warm years) | — | — | — | live sardine / cedar plugs, feathers | live sardine / cedar plugs, feathers (offshore runs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | live sardine / cedar plugs, feathers | — | — | — | live sardine / cedar plugs, feathers (offshore runs) | live sardine / cedar plugs, feathers | live sardine / cedar plugs, feathers | — | — | — | — | — | — | live sardine / cedar plugs, feathers | — | — | — | live sardine / cedar plugs, feathers (warm years) | — | no-take reserve — n/a | — | — | — | — | — |
albacore |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | live sardine, anchovy / feathers, cedar plugs | live sardine, anchovy / feathers (offshore runs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | live sardine, anchovy / feathers | — | — | — | live sardine, anchovy / feathers (offshore runs) | live sardine, anchovy / feathers | live sardine, anchovy / feathers | — | — | — | — | — | — | live sardine, anchovy / feathers | — | — | — | — | — | no-take reserve — n/a | — | — | — | — | — |
yellowtail |
— | — | — | — | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo iron | live sardine / surface iron | live sardine / surface iron | — | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo | — | — | — | — | — | free-lined live sardine / surface iron, trolling minnow | live sardine / surface iron | — | — | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo | — | — | — | live sardine / surface iron (bay mouth) | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo | — | live sardine / surface iron | live sardine / surface iron | — | — | — | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo | live sardine / surface iron | — | — | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo iron | live sardine (flyline) / surface iron, yo-yo iron, small A-rigs | no-take reserve — n/a | live sardine, live mackerel / surface iron, yo-yo iron | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo iron | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo iron | live sardine / surface iron, yo-yo iron | live sardine / surface iron (occasional summer visitor) |
white-seabass |
— | — | — | — | live squid / — | live squid / — | live squid / — | — | live squid / — | live squid / — | — | — | — | — | — | live squid / — (spring spawn) | live squid / — | — | — | live squid / — | — | — | — | live squid / — | live squid / — | live squid / — | — | live squid / — | live squid / — | — | — | — | live squid / — | live squid / — | — | — | live squid / — | live squid / — | no-take reserve — n/a | live squid / — | live squid / — | live squid / — | live squid / — | live squid / — (UNVERIFIED at island level) |
calico-bass |
anchovies / small swimbaits | — | — | — | live sardine / 5" swimbaits, hardbaits, surface iron | live sardine / swimbaits, jerkbait | live sardine / swimbaits, jerkbait | anchovies / small swimbaits | live sardine / swimbaits | smelt fillet on leadhead / swimbaits, drop-shot | — | — | anchovies / small swimbaits | anchovies / Hookup Baits, Keitech 3.8 | — | live sardine / swimbaits, jerkbaits (kelp edges) | live sardine / swimbaits, jerkbait | — | — | anchovies, sardines / 5in swimbaits | — | — | anchovies / small swimbaits | live anchovies / 3in swimbaits, drop-shot | live anchovy, sardine / swimbaits, drop-shot | live anchovy, sardine / swimbaits, drop-shot | anchovies / small swimbaits | live sardine / swimbaits, jerkbait | live sardine / swimbaits, jerkbait | anchovies / small swimbaits | — | anchovies / small swimbaits | live anchovy, sardine / swimbaits, drop-shot | live sardine / swimbaits, jerkbait | anchovies / small swimbaits | anchovies / small swimbaits | live sardine / 5" swimbaits, hardbaits, surface iron | live sardine, live squid / surface iron, swimbaits | no-take reserve — n/a | live sardine / surface iron, swimbaits (UNVERIFIED at island level) | live sardine / swimbaits, surface iron | live sardine / swimbaits, surface iron (UNVERIFIED at island level) | live sardine / swimbaits, surface iron | live sardine / swimbaits, surface iron (UNVERIFIED at island level) |
sand-bass |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | live anchovy / swimbaits | live anchovy / swimbaits, drop-shot | — | — | — | — | — | live sardine / swimbaits | — | — | — | live anchovy / swimbaits | — | — | — | live anchovy / swimbaits, drop-shot | live anchovy / swimbaits | live anchovy / swimbaits, drop-shot | — | — | — | — | — | — | live anchovy / swimbaits, drop-shot | — | — | — | — | — | no-take reserve — n/a | — | live anchovy / swimbaits (UNVERIFIED at island level) | live anchovy / swimbaits (UNVERIFIED at island level) | live anchovy / swimbaits (UNVERIFIED at island level) | — |
rockfish |
— | — | — | — | squid strips / jigs | — | — | — | squid strips, live squid / heavy jigs, shrimp flies | squid strips / jigs (offshore runs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | squid strips / heavy jigs | — | — | — | squid strips / jigs (offshore runs) | squid strips / heavy jigs | squid strips / heavy jigs | — | — | — | — | — | — | squid strips / heavy jigs | — | — | — | squid strips / jigs | squid strips / jigs | no-take reserve — n/a | squid strips / jigs (UNVERIFIED at island level) | squid strips / jigs | squid strips / jigs | squid strips / jigs | squid strips / jigs |
california-halibut |
live smelt (umbrella net) / Carolina rig | — | sand crabs / 4-5in swimbaits, jerkbaits | — | live bait on dropper loop / flukes, swimbaits | live bait / swimbaits | live bait / swimbaits | live smelt / — | — | sandworms, smelt fillet / drop-shot flukes | sand crabs, bloodworms / 4-5in swimbaits, jerkbaits | sand crabs, bloodworms / 4-5in swimbaits, jerkbaits | live smelt, anchovies / swimbaits | live bait / swimbaits | sand worms, sand crabs / 5in swimbaits, jerkbaits | live sardine / swimbaits | live bait / swimbaits | — | — | live anchovy, sardine / swimbaits, drop-shot | live bait / swimbaits, spoons | sand crabs, bloodworms / 4-5in swimbaits, jerkbaits | live anchovies, sardines / swimbaits | live anchovies / 3in swimbaits, drop-shot | live anchovy, sardine / swimbaits, drop-shot | live anchovy, sardine / swimbaits, drop-shot | live smelt, anchovies / swimbaits | live bait / swimbaits | live bait / swimbaits | live smelt, anchovies / swimbaits | sand crabs, bloodworms / 4-5in swimbaits, jerkbaits | live smelt, anchovies / swimbaits | live anchovy, sardine / swimbaits, drop-shot | live bait / swimbaits | live smelt, anchovies / swimbaits | live smelt, anchovies / swimbaits | live bait on dropper loop / flukes, swimbaits | live smelt, live anchovy on dropper loop / flukes, swimbaits | no-take reserve — n/a | live bait on dropper loop / flukes (UNVERIFIED at island level) | live bait on dropper loop / flukes, swimbaits | live bait on dropper loop / flukes | live bait on dropper loop / flukes | live bait on dropper loop / flukes (UNVERIFIED at island level) |
leopard-shark |
squid / — | — | mackerel chunks, squid / — | — | frozen mackerel / — (shore) | — | — | squid / — | — | squid chunks / — | mackerel chunks, squid / — | mackerel chunks, squid / — | squid / — | squid / — | mackerel chunks, squid / — | — | — | — | — | squid chunks / — | fresh mackerel, bonito chunks / — | cut mackerel, squid / — | squid / — | squid chunks / — | squid chunks / — | squid chunks / — | squid / — | — | — | squid / — | mackerel chunks, squid / — | squid / — | squid chunks / — | — | squid / — | squid / — | frozen mackerel / — (shore) | — | no-take reserve — n/a | — | — | — | — | — |
barred-surfperch |
sand crabs, bloodworms / small swimbaits | — | sand crabs / grubs, swimbaits | — | sand crabs, grubs / small swimbaits (shore) | sand crabs / small swimbaits | sand crabs / small swimbaits | sand crabs, bloodworms / small swimbaits | — | — | sand crabs, bloodworms / grubs, Gulp worms | sand crabs, bloodworms / grubs, Gulp worms | sand crabs, bloodworms / small swimbaits | sand crabs, bloodworms / small swimbaits | sand worms / paddle tails | — | sand crabs / small swimbaits | — | — | — | shrimp, mussel / — (crabs scarce) | sand crabs, bloodworms / grubs, Gulp worms | sand crabs, bloodworms / small swimbaits | — | — | — | sand crabs, bloodworms / small swimbaits | sand crabs / small swimbaits | sand crabs / small swimbaits | sand crabs, bloodworms / small swimbaits | sand crabs, bloodworms / grubs, Gulp worms | sand crabs, bloodworms / small swimbaits | — | sand crabs / small swimbaits | sand crabs, bloodworms / small swimbaits | sand crabs, bloodworms / small swimbaits | sand crabs, grubs / small swimbaits (shore) | — | no-take reserve — n/a | — | — | — | — | — |
corbina |
— | — | sand crabs / — (May-Aug #1) | — | sand crabs / small swimbaits (shore) | sand crabs / small swimbaits (pockets) | sand crabs / small swimbaits (pockets) | — | — | — | sand crabs / — | sand crabs / — | — | — | sand crabs / — (skinny water) | — | sand crabs / small swimbaits (pockets) | — | — | — | sand crabs / — | sand crabs / — | — | — | — | — | — | sand crabs / small swimbaits (pockets) | sand crabs / small swimbaits (pockets) | — | sand crabs / — | — | — | sand crabs / small swimbaits (pockets) | — | — | sand crabs / small swimbaits (shore) | — | no-take reserve — n/a | — | — | — | — | — |
yellowfin-croaker |
defrosted shrimp / — | — | bloodworms, sand crabs, mussels / — | — | — | — | — | sand crabs, mussels, ghost shrimp / — | — | — | bloodworms, sand crabs, mussels / — | sand crabs, bloodworms / — | sand crabs, mussels, ghost shrimp / — | sand crabs, mussels, ghost shrimp, worms / — | bloodworms, sand crabs, mussels / — | — | — | — | — | — | bloodworms, sand crabs, mussels / — | bloodworms, sand crabs, mussels / — | sand crabs, mussels, ghost shrimp / — | — | — | — | sand crabs, mussels, ghost shrimp / — | — | — | sand crabs, mussels, ghost shrimp / — | bloodworms, sand crabs, mussels / — | sand crabs, mussels, ghost shrimp / — | — | — | sand crabs, mussels, ghost shrimp / — | sand crabs, mussels, ghost shrimp / — | — | — | no-take reserve — n/a | — | — | — | — | — |
pacific-mackerel |
— / Sabiki rigs | — | — | — | — / sabiki rigs (bait) | — | — | — / Sabiki rigs | — | — / Sabiki rigs | — | — | — / Sabiki rigs | — / Sabiki rigs (make bait) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — / Sabiki rigs | — | — | — | — / Sabiki rigs (make bait) | — | — | — / Sabiki rigs (make bait) | — | — / Sabiki rigs (make bait) | — | — | — / Sabiki rigs (make bait) | — / Sabiki rigs (make bait) | — / sabiki rigs (bait) | — / sabiki rigs (bait) | no-take reserve — n/a | — / sabiki rigs (bait) | — / sabiki rigs (bait) | — / sabiki rigs (bait) | — / sabiki rigs (bait) | — / sabiki rigs (bait) |
bonito |
mackerel chunks / Krocodiles | — | — | — | — / feathers, small jigs, surface iron | — | — | — / shiny jigs | — | — | — | — | — / shiny jigs | mackerel chunks / Krocodiles, shiny jigs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — / shiny jigs, live bait | — | — | — | mackerel chunks / Krocodiles, shiny jigs | — | — | mackerel chunks / Krocodiles, shiny jigs | — | mackerel chunks / Krocodiles, shiny jigs | — | — | mackerel chunks / Krocodiles, shiny jigs | mackerel chunks / Krocodiles, shiny jigs | — / feathers, small jigs, surface iron | — / feathers, small jigs, surface iron | no-take reserve — n/a | — | — / feathers, jigs | — | — / feathers, jigs | — |
largemouth-bass |
— | nightcrawlers / drop-shot, Ned, crankbaits | — | shad imitations / topwater, drop-shot | — (freshwater; n/a) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — / Carolina rig, wacky, jerkbaits | — / finesse plastics, reaction baits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | no-take reserve — n/a | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) |
rainbow-trout |
— | PowerBait, nightcrawlers / spoons, leadcore trolling | — | trout imitations / — | — (freshwater; n/a) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | PowerBait, nightcrawlers / spoons, spinners | PowerBait, nightcrawlers / spoons, spinners | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | no-take reserve — n/a | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) |
channel-catfish |
— | cut bait floated off bottom / — | — | cut bait / — | — (freshwater; n/a) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | cut bait, nightcrawlers / — | cut bait, nightcrawlers / — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | no-take reserve — n/a | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) | — (freshwater; n/a) |
Notes & UNVERIFIED
- Freshwater species (
largemouth-bass,rainbow-trout,channel-catfish) have mainland cells only at the four lake spots; all island cells are— (freshwater; n/a). del-marhas no dedicated spot file inphase2/spots/; its cells use the north-county sandy-surf playbook shared with carlsbad-state-beach — treat as inferred, UNVERIFIED at spot level.bonito,albacore, andyellowfin-tunamainland presence is run-dependent; pier cells apply only when the runs are in.- Barge bait availability (sardine vs anchovy vs squid) varies weekly — see
sources.mdand call the receiver before a trip.