Channel Islands Sportfishing - Oxnard, California

Gevorg Danielyan

I've been a regular at Channel Islands Sportfishing since 2010, and I can't recommend them highly enough. Over the years, I've had the pleasure of fishing on almost every boat in their fleet, and each trip has been a fantastic experience. The reservation process is always easy and hassle-free, which makes planning a trip a breeze. The staff is consistently professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable, ensuring that every outing is enjoyable and well-organized.

But what really sets them apart is the fishing itself—exceptional, to say the least. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a newcomer, you're almost guaranteed to come back with quality fish. The crew works hard to put you on the best spots, and their expertise shows in the catches you bring home. If you're looking for a top-notch sportfishing experience in the Channel Islands, this is the place to be.

D L

Fished on the Speed Twin at the end of July. Boat was comfy and the crew were nice. We caught plenty of barracuda and calico bass that day. I don't travel here often. Had the opportunity to fish here since a friend's wedding was in Malibu and I was staying in Ventura County. Would come back. Oh yeah the white fish were massive. I've heard people saying the fish here were bigger and yeah I can confirm. Didn't get to fish rockfish, but next time!

Richard Ribble

My brothers and I went out yesterday, Monday August 20th, on Speed Twin at 8:00am and had a fantastic time. The fishing was not good at all, but the crew was super friendly and very helpful. The boat was really nice, the weather gorgeous, and we had a blast. We mostly interacted with the crew member working the front deck and anchor. It was great to see how patient and nice he was with everyone, and with the kids. All the crew were friendly and fun. They even gave us half-off tickets on our next trip since the fishing was poor yesterday. I highly recommend this place and will be back myself!

Tiffany Jensen

I would recommend them 100000000% Captains are awesome (we've been on a couple different boats) they are always nice and try and help you catch your fish! I swear even when I didn't catch anything back in 2023 one of the deckhand Vern made sure I caught something even off his line he threw in (just a fishing, not catching trip for me!) Deck hands go above and beyond! Chefs (cannot remember the name) always cook up some tasty grub & when there's an abundance of fish they have (in my experience) grilled some of that fish up for everyone to try (got some barracuda and they breaded it & had us dip it in this sweet chili sauce - one of my fav meals now!!)
I have never had a bad trip because of the boat / captain / deck hand etc

Were going again for my birthday in July 2024 and I'm counting down the days!

Steeve

We have fished out of that landing for years on most of the boats.Great Landing. All the way back to 1995 we caught King Salmon on the Gentlemen. Cobra was our boat. Jon and Keith. Speed twin for the kids and newbs.

Samuel Gasowski

We had an absolutely fantastic charter experience on Captain Chris's boat, The Cobra, for my son's 15th birthday! From the moment we stepped aboard, Captain Chris and his crew went above and beyond to ensure our day was memorable and enjoyable.

The Cobra was clean and well-maintained, providing a comfortable setting for our adventure. Captain Chris's extensive knowledge of the local waters was amazing as he expertly guided us to prime fishing spots. We hit our limit of rock fish well before lunchtime, which allowed us to chase after different species.

What truly stood out was the crew's patience and willingness to assist our novice fishermen. We made some amazing memories on a special day!

The team took the time to explain different fishing techniques, helping us bait hooks and offering tips on how to reel in our catches. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and it wasn't long before even the least experienced among us were confidently catching ling cod, sea bass, white fish, staries, grouper and many, many other species. The crew's attentiveness made everyone feel safe and at ease throughout the trip.

We were thrilled with the variety of fish we caught, and the crew's expertise in handling and cleaning our catch was impressive. They even shared some safe-handling and cooking tips for preparing our fresh fish.

What made this charter truly special was how Captain Chris and his team created a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. They engaged with my son, making him feel like a real fisherman on his birthday. Their stories and jokes kept us entertained between catches, adding to the overall enjoyment of the day.

For families or groups with varying levels of fishing experience, I can't recommend the Cobra charter highly enough. Captain Chris and his crew provided us with top-quality equipment, expert guidance, and a genuinely fun day on the water. This trip exceeded our expectations and left us with lasting memories of my son's 15th birthday.

If you're looking for a fishing charter that combines professionalism with a personal touch, especially for younger or inexperienced anglers, the Cobra is an excellent choice. We're already looking forward to our next trip with Captain Chris!

Steve K

I had a deeply disappointing experience with this fishing charter, the most unprofessional company I’ve ever wasted money on. I booked a full-day trip, scheduled to depart at 4:00 AM, a week in advance specifically to target Barracuda. To ensure I could be up early for the trip, I drove six hours to the location and checked into a hotel for the night.

This trip was particularly significant for me as it marked the one-year anniversary of my brother’s passing. We often chartered boats out of Channel Islands harbor, making this outing emotionally important. Despite my thorough preparations and the emotional weight of the trip, my experience was a complete letdown.

At 8:00 PM the night before the trip, I received a call from their manager, who went by the dubious name of “Bubba” or “Biscuit.” I was informed that they were canceling the trip, just eight hours before the scheduled departure. This short notice was particularly frustrating given their strict policy that requires customers to provide 24 hours' notice for cancellations. The late cancellation left me with $400 paid for the trip, $160 for the hotel, and over $100 spent on gas, not to mention the significant amount of time I invested in planning and preparing for this trip. The emotional anticipation of the fishing day, only to have it abruptly canceled without a valid reason, added to my frustration and disappointment.

The company attempted to offer a solution by suggesting I join another boat named Gentleman, which was allegedly going out the same day targeting Barracuda. Trusting this information, I decided to go on the charter. While the fishing trip itself was enjoyable, it turned out that we spent the day rock fishing, a common activity among charters in Southern California. At no point did we fish for Barracuda, nor was there any intention to do so. This misinformation was a clear bait and switch tactic. They misled me to keep as much of my money as possible despite their inability to book reliable vessels.

The lack of professionalism and consideration for customers' time and money is astonishing. They effectively took my money under false pretenses, offering a service that was not available. To add insult to injury, they had the audacity to suggest that if I paid an additional $1800, we could still go on the desired trip. This entire ordeal has been frustrating and costly, with zero regard for customer satisfaction.

Given my experience, I strongly advise anyone considering booking with this charter to think twice. Be prepared for potential cancellations and significant financial losses. Save your money and choose a more reliable and customer-focused company. The disregard for customer service and satisfaction I encountered was appalling, and I hope others can avoid the same unfortunate experience. This was by far the worst service I’ve ever encountered, and it has left me profoundly disappointed and disheartened.

Michelle Wielms

Took the cobra out for the day captain Gavin and deck hand max is the crew to sail with had a great day good fishing and great wildlife and scenery this is the second trip we've takin with channel island sport fishing does not disappoint thank you for a great day