Rockfish Fishing at the Channel Islands from Oxnard and Ventura

Rockfish fishing with Graphic Slayer Sportfishing is a private trip. It is your group and nobody else, up to four anglers on one boat. We fish out of Oxnard and Ventura and run to the Channel Islands. Rockfish are one of the fish we target. So are lingcod, sheephead, halibut, calico bass, sculpin, bonito, barracuda, yellowtail and white seabass. The Half Day Trip, Inshore Fishing, works local inshore and nearshore spots, and rockfish are part of that mix. The island trips to Santa Cruz and Anacapa fish whatever those grounds are giving up that day. This suits a small group that wants room at the rail. A family, a few friends, a couple of serious anglers. It also suits anyone who cares how the fish eats. Every fish that comes over the rail is ikejime'd and bled. If you want rockfish fillets for the table, that part matters.

When is the season? I am not going to guess on this page. Rockfish are listed with the seasonal fish on the inshore trip, and when they are open and biting can change. Call or text JT and he will confirm the season and the months by phone before you book. That way you hear it straight, for the dates you have in mind. If you are looking at the Outer Island Full Day to Santa Rosa, that trip is weather permitting. JT reads the forecast about seven days out, so call or text him before you book that one.

Every price is for the whole boat, not per person, and covers up to 4 guests. The Half Day Trip, Inshore Fishing, is 8 hours, 6 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday, for $1,085. That is the one for inshore spots and weekdays. The 3/4 Day Trip, Island Fishing, is 9 hours, 6 AM to 3 PM, 7 days a week, for $1,200. It fishes Santa Cruz and Anacapa. The Full Day Trip, Hunting Pelagics, is 10 hours, 6 AM to 4 PM, 7 days a week, for $1,314. That trip is built for yellowtail and white seabass. The Outer Island Full Day to Santa Rosa is 11 hours, 6 AM to 5 PM, weather permitting, for $1,657. On these trips I bring the rods and the bait. The 3/4 Day Bare Bones (BYOT) Trip is 9 hours, 6 AM to 3 PM, 7 days a week, for $1,000. You bring your own gear. It comes with a licensed captain, the Graphic Slayer, a cooler and ice. Every fish is ikejime'd on every trip.

The boat is the Graphic Slayer, a 22' Westcoaster Bayrunner. It is set up for a small group, four anglers max. Your captain is John "JT" Lepien. He has decades of fishing these waters, inshore and out to Anacapa, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands. His other passion is cooking. That is why he takes the catch so seriously. He has been practicing ikejime since 2010, long before it went mainstream. Each fish is handled with care, ikejime'd and bled to help keep its quality, texture and flavor. JT holds a 4.7 from 23 reviews on FishingBooker.

Trips leave from Oxnard and Ventura. JT will confirm the exact meeting spot when you book, so ask him for directions and where to park. Every trip leaves at 6:00 AM. Plan to be there and ready before that so the boat can get moving on time. How long you stay out depends on the trip you pick. The inshore half day comes back at 2 PM. The island trips run to 3 PM. The pelagic full day runs to 4 PM. The Santa Rosa day runs to 5 PM. If the weather will not allow the Santa Rosa run, JT will tell you ahead of time.

What to bring is simple. You bring a fishing license and lunch. On the standard trips I bring the rods and the bait, so you do not need any gear. On the 3/4 Day Bare Bones (BYOT) Trip you bring your own tackle. That trip allows four anglers max, with three rod setups each. A cooler and ice come with the boat. If you want live bait on the BYOT trip, bring cash for it. For anything else, like clothes for the day or what to carry your fillets home in, ask JT when you book.

Do I need a fishing license? Yes. Bring one. Each angler brings their own license. If you are not sure which license you need or how to get it, ask JT when you call and he will point you in the right direction.

How many rockfish can we keep? I do not list limits or rules on this page, because they can change. Ask JT by phone or text before your trip. He will tell you what applies on your date and what you can expect to take home. Whatever you keep gets ikejime'd and bled on the boat.

Can I bring my own rods? Yes. That is what the 3/4 Day Bare Bones (BYOT) Trip is for. It runs 9 hours, 6 AM to 3 PM, 7 days a week, for $1,000 for the boat. Each angler can bring three rod setups. If you want to use your own gear on a different trip, ask JT.

To book rockfish fishing, call or text JT at (805) 302-1901. Tell him how many are in your group, which trip you want and the dates you are looking at. He will confirm the season, the meeting spot and the weather. You can also use the Book a trip button on graphicslayersportfishing.com. For the Santa Rosa day, call or text first, since the forecast decides it.