THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Head out of Marina del Rey after sunset with Captain Mancini to haul lobster and crab traps by moonlight. This small-group, hands-on night fishery in Santa Monica Bay lets you learn the ropes and take home your catch.
Head out of Marina del Rey after sunset with Captain Mancini to haul lobster and crab traps by moonlight. This small-group, hands-on night fishery in Santa Monica Bay lets you learn the ropes and take home your catch.
Book with Old Plank Sailing Adventures
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Old Plank Sailing Adventures · Marina del Rey, California
Leave Marina del Rey as the sky cools and the day’s bustle slips behind you—this is the setting for Captain Mancini’s Captain’s Lobster Adventure - 3 Hours Moonlight, a hands-on night fishery trip on the small boat Unsinkable IIII. Out on Santa Monica Bay, the neon of the harbor fades and the moon sketches silver lanes across kelp-lined water as you learn to bait, set, and pull lobster traps under stars.
This short midnight sortie concentrates on hard-to-reach lobster grounds and crab haunts that stay quiet after daytime traffic. Key features of the scene are the bay’s kelp forests and shallow reef patches, the touchstone rip of moonlit swells against Marina del Rey’s breakwater, and the open view west toward the Palos Verdes headlands. The trip targets Pacific lobsters, Dungeness crabs, and seasonal soft-shell crabs—an immediate, tangible reward: whatever you pull up is yours to take home.
Captain Mancini keeps the operation small and personal—trips run with up to six guests—so you get direct instruction on baiting traps, spotting indicators, and hauling gear. There’s practical learning here: knotwork, gear handling, and how to read the sea at night. The Unsinkable IIII’s compact size makes it perfect for sliding into calmer, exclusive spots other charters can’t reach.
This outing doubles as a marine-education tour. Look for harbor seals and sea lions hauling out on buoys, night-foraging shearwaters, and the nocturnal stir of the kelp bed—marine life that defines Southern California’s coastal ecosystem. The seasonal window is primarily October through March when lobster season and crabbing align, and the cooler nights make for clearer skies and steadier water.
Why book this instead of a daytime charter? Night fishing condenses the work and the thrills: traps come up heavy with life, and the moonlight makes every catch cinematic. For food-minded travelers it’s uniquely satisfying—you’ll learn how to handle and store your catch for a fresh, seaside take-home meal. For photographers the low light and reflective water deliver moody frames that daytime trips don’t.
Practicalities: depart from Marina del Rey marina; trips run several hours around sunset; small-group limit means bookings fill fast. Bring layered clothing, waterproof footwear, and a sense of curiosity. Captain Mancini’s local experience and the Unsinkable IIII’s nimble approach turn a simple night sail into a memorable lesson in coastal fishing culture in Santa Monica Bay.
Expect brief safety briefings before departure, and pickup options can be arranged. Bring a headlamp with red filter for hands-free work, motion-sickness remedies if you’re prone, and a camera with good low-light capability. The captain will handle licenses and permits; confirm bag limits and local regulations when you book. This tight, hands-on trip is as much about learning coastal craft as it is about seafood.
There is no strict age listed; because of boat movement and gear handling, the trip is best for older children and adults—confirm minimum age when booking.
Guests typically take home what they legally catch; the captain will advise on size and bag limits and handle required permits—confirm specifics at booking.
Trips may be canceled or rescheduled for safety if conditions are unsafe; check weather and the captain’s cancellation policy when you book.
No prior experience required—Captain Mancini provides hands-on instruction in baiting and hauling traps during the trip.
The captain handles licenses and permits for the charter; confirm regulatory details and any personal documentation needed when you book.
Bring a cooler and ice if you plan to transport seafood; the captain can advise on proper handling and short-term storage.
Old Plank Sailing Adventures is a Marina del Rey-based charter company offering private sailing trips, personal watercraft adventures, and hands-on fishing expeditions in Santa Monica Bay and surrounding waters. The company operates private Therapy Sail cruises aboard the Prima Stella, available as 2-, 3-, and 4-hour options that include gourmet hors d'oeuvres and a bottle of rosé, with opportunities to spot dolphins, whales, and sunsets. Jetski experiences include the Island Seascape Santa Catalina Jetski Adventure, Paradise Cove Malibu Jetski Adventure, and Wildlife Seascape Santa Monica Adventure, all run on luxury Seadoos for high-speed ocean exploration, wildlife viewing, and beach breaks. For local exploration, the Seafood Market Expedition sails beyond the jetty with Captain Mancini to find hidden waters and local maritime spots. For hands-on nighttime fishing, the Captain’s Lobster Adventure 3-Hours Moonlight trip provides an opportunity to learn trap baiting, catch lobster and crab, and take home the harvest from Santa Monica Bay. Trip formats include short private sails, multi-hour excursions, half-day and full-day options for select jetski adventures, and specialty seafood-focused outings. All departures are from Marina del Rey, California, and routes commonly visit Santa Monica Bay, Paradise Cove, and nearby islands such as Catalina when applicable. Descriptions and inclusions vary by trip; customers should review individual trip pages for specific details, schedules, and availability. Old Plank Sailing Adventures highlights private, small-group, and adventure-oriented sea outings tailored to guests seeking wildlife encounters, coastal cruising, and active watercraft experiences. Booking information and pricing appear on the business's trip listings online.
Book with Old Plank Sailing Adventures