NEW - The California DFG now has fishing licenses available on-line! All resident and non-resident licenses, both annual and short-term, are available to anyone with computer/printer access and a Visa or Mastercard. Here is the web page:

www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/ols/intro.html

This is great news for people traveling to the island - from Southern Cal or out of state - Hooray! 


Feel free to contact us at (310) 510-1570 between
7 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week; or email us at:
scotty@scottyssportfishing.com.

Our business address is:

Scotty's Sportfishing
P.O. Box 1903
Avalon, CA 90704

After you've lived on Catalina for a while, you get used to people asking questions - after all, who better to ask than a local! Here are some Q & A's about our fishing charters, and Catalina Island in general.

About our Charters:

When is the best time to go? This is the question most often asked when people book their charters. Based on our availability and weather conditions, you get to choose the time that you leave. So what is the best time to catch fish? Some people fish on the timing of the tides, and there are certain tides that are better than others. But there are so many other variables, like water temperature, current, and type of fish in season, that picking the "right time" is not as important as finding a captain that knows his stuff. When you call to book a charter, talk to Rebecca or Scotty about what time the fish have been biting - if there is a better time to go, and it works with your vacation schedule, we'll be glad to take you out at that time - even if it is 4:00 a.m.!

How many people will be on the boat with us? Scotty's Sportfishing only offers private charters - just you and the captain. It's like having your own boat, with none of the hassles - and you get to fish instead of drive!

What if I don't know how to fish? Scotty has spent years teaching new anglers the ropes. Just let him know your level of expertise - whether you are a first timer, or an old timer - and he'll take care of the rest.

What kind of fish can we catch on our charter? Catalina Island is surrounded by an abundance of marine life. The type of fish you are bound to come across varies with the season. Fish caught off the island include: bonito, calico bass, barracuda, rock cod, ling cod, halibut, white seabass, and yellowtail, to name a few. Offshore fishing can include yellowfin, shark, marlin, dorado. Remember! A lot of these fish are seasonal.  Give us a call to find out what we will be catching when you come to visit!

Does every charter you take out catch fish? Even though we can't guarantee that you will catch something, Scotty will always do his best to steer you in the right direction - no matter how many times he has to pull anchor and move to another spot. The plain and simple truth is, Scotty wants to get you on the fish.

Where is your office located? Scotty's Sportfishing is run by myself, Rebecca, and Captain Scotty. We are a "home-based" business, so Scotty has a lovely office - our boat, while my office is in the living room of our Catalina apartment (and sometimes the hall closet when all four children are at home!) Scotty's office definitely has a better view, but I have more space. The hard thing about running a business at home is, let's face it, the noise level. The great thing is that one of us is almost always there, so we can have longer hours to help out our customers, and spend more quality time as a family!

About Catalina Island in general:

What kind of weather should I expect? The weather on Catalina is comparable to that of the southern California coast - HOWEVER - it is generally milder. Unless we are in th middle of the summer, it is usually on the cooler side in the morning, and can get breezy in the afternoon. In the winter, you definitely need to bring a jacket, although you may be carrying it instead of using it. The funny thing about the island is, it could be pouring rain on the mainland, and a bright sunny day over here.

What time of year is the best to visit? It all depends on what you are looking for. The summer has all businesses in full gear - tours running, restaurants open, everything the island has to offer is available. It is a great time to visit if you like a slightly faster island pace (it's always slower than the mainland!)
The winter has its ups as well. More slow paced, less crowded - great for a secluded getaway or a nice break with your family. The restaurants close earlier but you'll probably get seated and served right away. There are often off-season specials.

What else is there to do besides go fishing? Although we like to think fishing is a top notch activity here, some people in your party might not be so into it. There are plenty of things to do here when you are not on the water. Get a massage, go for a bike ride, play miniature golf, kayak, explore the wonderful hiking trails, shop, or just hang out in town and relax with a cocktail.



   Catalina Island is a wonderful place to take a break from life and reconnect with yourself, your family and friends, and the beautiful world we live in.