California Lobster Season Prep: Spearfishing Bonus Species in San Diego
California’s recreational lobster season opens October 6 every year, and San Diego’s spearfishing community has been circling the date since summer. But the real opportunity isn’t just the bug hunt—it’s the bonus species window that runs concurrent with the opener. If you’re planning to get in the water, you need to understand what’s legal, where to go, and how to prepare.
The Lobster Season Timeline and San Diego’s Window
The season typically opens statewide on October 6 and runs through mid-June, but San Diego gets its own distinct commercial season closure that affects recreational access. The commercial fleet’s closure—usually from mid-October through mid-November—means some prime hunting grounds see less pressure during those weeks. This is your window to hit spots like the Coronado Islands, Point Loma, and La Jolla Cove before the crowds arrive.
Confirm current dates with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) before you dive. Regulations shift annually, and a five-minute check beats a citation.
Bonus Species: What You Can Take Alongside Lobster
The real spearfishing advantage of lobster season is the concurrent bonus species window. While you’re hunting bugs, you can legally take:
Pelagic fish: Yellowtail, barracuda, and mackerel are fair game during the opener. San Diego’s kelp forests and deeper reefs off Sunset Cliffs and the Coronado Islands hold solid numbers through October and November. Yellowtail especially are aggressive and make for exciting hunting.
White seabass: If conditions align and you’re diving deeper structure, white seabass are legal during lobster season. They’re rare in the immediate San Diego kelp but show up around Wreck Alley and offshore reefs when the water cools.
Sheephead: Black and red sheephead are always in the mix. They’re excellent table fish, abundant in San Diego’s kelp forests, and honestly easier to stalk than lobster. Target them around Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and the Coronado Islands.
Calico bass and sand bass: These are year-round legal in Southern California. Use lobster season as an excuse to sharpen your bass hunting skills—they’re finicky and reward good stalking.
Check CDFW’s current regulations before you go. Bag limits and species legality can shift, and local closures around marine reserves (like the La Jolla Ecological Reserve) restrict what you can take where.
San Diego’s Best Lobster Hunting Grounds
Coronado Islands: The most consistent spot for both lobster and bonus species. The rocky reefs and kelp hold bugs year-round. Expect decent swell protection in the lee, and plan for current. Requires a boat.
Point Loma: Shore-accessible in spots, with rocky reefs near the lighthouse. Shallower hunting (20–40 feet) with good lobster density. Easier entry than the islands.
La Jolla Cove and Shores: Crowded but productive. The rocky bottom holds lobster, and the kelp forest attracts pelagic species. Expect heavy diver traffic during season.
Sunset Cliffs: Accessible from shore in calm conditions. Shallow rocky reefs with solid lobster populations and good sheephead. Best on small swell days.
Wreck Alley (off Pacific Beach): Deeper hunting (40–60 feet) around structure. Better for bonus species than lobster, but worth the boat trip if you want variety.
Gear and Preparation
Lobster hunting demands specific equipment:
- Lobster gauge: Mandatory. Minimum size is 3.25 inches carapace length. Bring one and use it—undersized bugs must go back.
- Mesh bag or net: Keep your catch in the water; don’t stuff a pole spear bag. Lobster need to breathe air.
- Gloves: Thick neoprene or leather. Lobster antennae cut, and rocky bottoms shred bare hands.
- Light: Bugs hide in crevices. A good dive light (HID or LED) makes the difference between a full bag and going home empty.
- Spear: Pole spears are traditional for lobster. They’re quiet, effective, and legal. Euro-style spearguns work too; check local regs on band count.
Condition yourself for multiple dives. Lobster season demands repetition—lots of bottom time, lots of searching. Cold water (58–62°F in November) means good wetsuits and thermal protection matter.
Bonus Species Strategy
Don’t tunnel-vision on lobster. If you see yellowtail or a large sheephead, take it. Bonus species are often easier to stalk than lobster, fill your bag faster, and give you protein variety. The hunt for bonus species also keeps you mobile and engaged—you’ll actually spot more lobster by moving than by camping on one rock.
Pelagic fish respond to structure and bait balls. If you see mackerel or sardines, stay alert. Bigger predators follow.
Regulations Recap
- License: Mandatory. Get your spearfishing license before you go.
- Bag limits: Typically 6 lobster per person, per day. Bonus species have their own limits—usually 5–10 depending on species.
- Size: Lobster must be 3.25 inches or larger, measured carapace length (not antenna).
- Closed areas: Marine reserves and kelp forest closures exist. Know your zone.
- Reporting: Some seasons require catch reporting. Check CDFW.
Timing Your Dive
October and early November offer the best combination of legal access, water conditions, and lobster density. Water temps are still manageable, swell is typically small, and visibility in San Diego’s kelp averages 20–40 feet. By December, water cools further and visibility drops—both work against you.
Get in the water early in the season. Lobster are catchable through June, but the opener weeks are prime.
Lobster season is San Diego spearfishing’s flagship event. Dial in your gear, confirm current regs, and get to the islands or shore breaks before October ends. The Element app keeps you locked on swell, wind, and water conditions so you can focus on hunting. Download it now and start planning your first dive.