The Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club runs an annual halibut derby in Santa Monica Bay

The Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club Halibut Derby is an open fishing tournament held each year in Santa Monica Bay, typically in the spring. The club has been running this event for decades, and it draws both club members and non-members who want to fish for halibut in one of Southern California's most productive grounds. The derby is not a lottery or a restricted event — anyone with a valid California fishing license can enter, whether you fish from a private boat, a charter, or the pier.

The derby runs for a set period — usually several weeks — and winners are determined by the weight of the largest halibut caught during that window. Entry fees are modest, and the club publishes the rules and dates each year on their website and through local fishing shops. If you are new to halibut fishing or to organized derbies, this event is a good introduction because the rules are straightforward and the fishing grounds are well-known.

Key Takeaways

  • The Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club Halibut Derby is open to anyone with a California fishing license, not just club members.
  • You enter by paying a small fee during the derby window and submitting your catch weight at an official weigh station or through the club's designated method.
  • Halibut in Santa Monica Bay run heaviest in spring and early summer, which is when the derby typically takes place.
  • You will need a valid California saltwater fishing license and must follow all state size and bag limits, even in a derby.

Entry requirements and how to register

To enter the derby, you need a valid California saltwater fishing license. If you do not have one, you can purchase it online through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website or at most sporting goods stores and bait shops. The license is required whether you fish from a private boat, a charter vessel, or the pier — there are no exceptions.

Registration for the derby happens during the official entry period, which the Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club announces each year. You typically pay the entry fee at a designated location — often a local bait and tackle shop, the club's office, or online if the club offers that option. Keep your entry receipt, because you will need it to weigh your fish officially. The entry fee covers your participation for the entire derby period, not per fish.

Some years the club also offers a "calcutta" or side-betting option, where participants can wager on their own catch or others' catches. This is optional and separate from the main derby entry. Check the current year's rules, because betting rules vary and some participants prefer to skip this part entirely.

Where to fish and what halibut season looks like

Santa Monica Bay is the primary fishing ground for this derby. Halibut are bottom fish that live on sandy and muddy flats, and they move into shallower water to feed in spring and early summer. The best fishing is usually in 40 to 80 feet of water, though halibut can be found deeper. If you are fishing from a charter boat, the captain will know the productive spots; if you are fishing from your own boat, local bait shops can point you toward recent catches and good structure.

Halibut bite best on live bait — mackerel, sardine, and anchovy are all effective — and on soft plastics rigged on a jig head. The bite is often strongest in early morning and late afternoon, though halibut will feed throughout the day. Because halibut are ambush predators, they respond well to bait presented close to the bottom and to lures that mimic wounded baitfish.

California's halibut regulations require a minimum size of 22 inches (measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail) and a daily bag limit of three fish per person. These limits apply in the derby just as they do in regular fishing, so you cannot keep undersized fish or exceed the bag limit even if you are competing.

Weighing your catch and submitting results

The Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club designates official weigh stations where you must bring your fish to be recorded. These are usually located at a bait shop, the club's location, or a marina in the Santa Monica Bay area. You will need to bring your fish in a cooler or on ice — the fish must be fresh and whole (or mostly whole) to be weighed officially. Bring your entry receipt when you weigh in.

The weigh master will record the weight and the date, and you will receive a receipt showing your entry in the standings. Some years the club also photographs the fish for their records. If you catch multiple fish during the derby, you can weigh each one separately, and your best fish counts toward your final standing. The derby continues until the announced end date, so you have the full window to fish and submit your catch.

Results are usually posted on the club's website or at the weigh station as the derby progresses. Final winners are announced after the derby closes, and prizes are typically awarded at a club event or gathering.

Charter boats and private boat options

If you do not own a boat, several charter operations in the Los Angeles area run halibut trips during derby season. Charter boats are licensed and insured, and the captain and crew handle navigation, tackle, and fish handling. You pay a per-person fee (usually $60 to $120 depending on the boat and trip length) and bring your own lunch and sunscreen. The charter captain will know where the halibut are biting and will position the boat to give you the best chance.

If you own a private boat or have access to one, you have more flexibility in timing and location. You will need to be comfortable navigating Santa Monica Bay and reading a depth finder or GPS to locate structure. Local bait shops sell detailed maps of the bay showing productive halibut grounds, and talking to other anglers at the shop is one of the fastest ways to learn where fish are being caught.

Pier fishing for halibut is also possible at some Santa Monica Bay piers, though the fishing is typically slower than from a boat. Piers are free or low-cost to fish from, and they are a good option if you want to fish the derby without renting a boat or charter.

Gear and tackle recommendations

For halibut, a medium-heavy saltwater rod and reel is standard. A 6.5- to 7-foot rod paired with a conventional or spinning reel rated for 20- to 30-pound line works well. Halibut do not make long runs like stripers or yellowtail, but they are strong and heavy, so you need enough backbone to set the hook and lift a 5- to 15-pound fish off the bottom.

Use 20- to 30-pound monofilament or braided line, and tie a simple loop knot or improved clinch knot to your leader. A 2- to 3-foot leader of 30- to 40-pound monofilament helps prevent break-offs on rough bottom. For bait rigs, use a simple sliding sinker rig with a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook — circle hooks hook halibut in the corner of the mouth and reduce deep-hooking. For soft plastics, a 3/8- to 1-ounce jig head works in 40 to 80 feet of water.

Bring extra hooks, sinkers, and leader material, because halibut fishing involves a lot of bottom contact and you will lose rigs. A net or gaff makes landing a large halibut much easier and safer than trying to hand-line it over the rail.

Cleaning and cooking your halibut

Halibut is one of the finest eating fish you can catch. The meat is white, mild, and firm, and it holds up well to almost any cooking method. If you are keeping your catch, kill the fish quickly with a sharp blow to the head, then ice it immediately. Halibut should be gutted and iced as soon as possible to preserve quality.

At home, fillet the halibut by cutting behind the gills down to the backbone, then running your knife along the backbone toward the tail. Halibut are flat fish, so you will get two large fillets per side. Skin the fillets by laying them skin-side down, salting the tail end for grip, and running a sharp knife between the skin and flesh at a shallow angle.

Pan-sear halibut fillets in butter and lemon, or bake them at 400°F with olive oil and herbs. The meat is delicate and cooks quickly — 8 to 10 minutes for a 1-inch fillet is usually enough. Halibut pairs well with bright flavors: lemon, capers, fresh herbs, and white wine all complement the clean taste of the fish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a club member to enter the derby?

No. The Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club opens the halibut derby to anyone with a valid California fishing license. You do not need to be a member to enter, though the club does offer membership if you want to participate in other events or meetings throughout the year.

What if I catch a halibut that is smaller than 22 inches?

You must release it. California law requires a 22-inch minimum for halibut, and this applies in the derby just as it does in regular fishing. Measuring from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail, not the tip of the tail.

Can I fish the derby from a pier?

Yes. Pier fishing is allowed and you can enter the derby with a pier-caught halibut. Fishing from a charter or private boat is more productive, but piers are a valid option if that is what you have access to.

When does the derby usually happen?

The derby typically runs in spring or early summer, when halibut move into shallower water to feed. The exact dates change each year, so check the Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club's website or a local bait shop for the current year's schedule.

What happens if I lose my entry receipt?

Contact the Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club or the official weigh station with your name and the date you registered. They keep records of all entries, and they can look you up and issue a replacement receipt or confirm your entry before you weigh your fish.