California Halibut Fishing Out of Oxnard and Ventura

California halibut fishing with Graphic Slayer Sportfishing happens close to home. Halibut are part of my inshore and nearshore fishing out of Oxnard and Ventura. In that water they share the bottom with sheephead, rockfish, bonito, calico bass and more. This is a private charter. Your group is the only group on the boat, up to 4 anglers. It suits people who want a day near the coast instead of a long run. It suits families and friends who want their own boat. It also suits anyone who cares how the fish tastes once it gets home. I'm Capt. JT Lepien, and I run these trips myself.

When is the season? Halibut here are seasonal, but I don't post set halibut months on this page. Call or text me with your dates and I'll tell you what the halibut are doing and whether it makes sense to go after them. The inshore trip runs Monday through Friday. The island trips run 7 days a week. The Santa Rosa trip is weather permitting, and I read that forecast about seven days out. If halibut are slow when you want to come, there are other fish on the list, and I'll be straight with you about what's biting.

The trip built for halibut is the Half Day Trip, Inshore Fishing. It runs 8 hours, 6 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday. It costs $1,085 for the boat, for up to 4 guests. That price is for the boat, not per person. I bring the rods and the bait. Every fish is ikejime'd and bled. If you want a longer day, the 3/4 Day Trip, Island Fishing, is 9 hours for $1,200. The Full Day Trip, Hunting Pelagics, is 10 hours for $1,314 and goes after yellowtail and white seabass. The Outer Island Full Day to Santa Rosa is 11 hours for $1,657. The 3/4 Day Bare Bones trip is 9 hours for $1,000 if you bring your own tackle.

You fish aboard the Graphic Slayer, a 22' boat set up for four anglers. I've spent decades fishing these waters, from the inshore spots out to Anacapa, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands. My other big passion is cooking, so I care a lot about the fillets you take home. I've been practicing ikejime since 2010, long before most people had heard of it. Every fish that comes over the rail is handled with care, ikejime'd, and bled. A stressed fish fills its own muscle with lactic acid and ammonia. Doing it right keeps the quality, texture and flavor. A good halibut deserves that.

Trips leave from Oxnard and Ventura. Every trip leaves at 6:00 AM, so plan on an early start. I'll confirm the exact place to meet when you book, so you know where to park and where to find the boat. Once everyone is aboard, we head to the inshore and nearshore spots that make sense for that day. On the inshore trip we're back at 2 PM, which leaves you the afternoon.

What should you bring? A fishing license and lunch. I bring the rods and the bait. Dress for a morning on the water and bring whatever you want to drink and snack on. If you book the 3/4 Day Bare Bones trip, it works differently. You bring your own gear, three rod setups each, with four anglers max. That trip comes with a licensed captain, the Graphic Slayer, a cooler and ice. Bring cash if you want live bait on that one.

Do I need a fishing license? Yes. You bring a license and I bring the rest of the gear on the regular trips. If you're not sure which license you need or how to get one, call or text me before the trip and I'll point you the right way.

Can I keep the halibut I catch? I'm not going to quote rules or limits on this page. Ask me when you book and I'll tell you what applies on your day. What I can tell you is how your fish gets handled. Every fish is ikejime'd and bled for the table, so what you take home is as fresh as it can be.

Can we fish for halibut on an island trip? The inshore trip is the one aimed at halibut, along with sheephead, rockfish, bonito and calico bass. The island trip to Santa Cruz and Anacapa fishes whatever those grounds are giving up that day. Halibut are on the list of species the trips target, so if you want a shot at them on a longer day, ask me and I'll tell you honestly whether it's a good idea.

To book, call or text JT at (805) 302-1901, or use the Book a trip button on graphicslayersportfishing.com. Tell me your dates, how many are in your group, and that you want to go after halibut. I'll tell you what the fishing looks like, confirm where to meet, and get you on the calendar.