Yellowtail, dorado and now yellowfin tuna. Southern California’s offshore season continues to deliver one memorable catch after another.
Does it bring a tear to your eye when you step back and think about the fishing we’ve had this summer? Honestly, I could get emotional. Just yesterday, I stood on the deck watching grown men cheer, holler, and sprint from one side of the boat to the other as they chased a screaming fish around the rail.
“It’s probably a yellowtail!” one shouted. “Maybe a giant black sea bass!” yelled another.
Moments like that are what it’s all about. As we tie on jigs, clip on surface irons, and search the bait tank for the liveliest sardine in the well, we’re all chasing the same thing: a warm day on the water, a cold beer in hand, and that unmistakable bend in the rod that keeps us coming back for more.
If there was any doubt that yellowfin tuna have joined Southern California’s already impressive offshore lineup, the fleet out of San Diego quickly put those questions to rest. A recent full-day trip aboard the Grande out of H&M Landing produced 49 yellowfin tuna and a dorado for 40 anglers, while captains continue to report increasing opportunities for anglers targeting yellowfin just outside San Diego.
The bite has rewarded those fishing lighter tackle, with crews recommending a 30-pound fly-line outfit, a 20- to 25-pound setup rigged with No. 2 to No. 4 hooks and small sliding egg or rubber-core sinkers for presenting live bait naturally. Anglers should also keep a selection of Colt Sniper lures and Daiwa Zakana jigs on hand, as yellowfin have been responding well to both when they push bait to the surface.
If this trend continues, Southern California anglers could be looking at one of the most complete offshore seasons in recent memory, with yellowtail, yellowfin, dorado, and now, yellowfin, all providing opportunities within reach of local landings.
Moving north along the coast, the action remained just as promising for anglers fishing out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing. The New San Mateo spent the day fishing around Catalina Island before making a stop in an area just offshore of the island, where passengers added yellowfin tuna to the fish count. Meanwhile, the Sum Fun also spent its all-day trip at Catalina. On the ride home, its charter group landed the season’s first local yellowfin tuna for the boat.
While the catches may not yet rival the numbers being posted farther south, they’re another encouraging sign that warm-water species continue to push north. With yellowtail, yellowfin and yellowfin now all showing within range of local boats, captains say the pieces are falling into place for what could become one of Southern California’s most memorable offshore seasons.
Continuing north to Newport Beach, the offshore action has been just as impressive, with yellowfin beginning to make their presence known alongside an already exceptional mixed bag. A recent overnight trip aboard the Thunderbird produced a yellowfin tuna, 77 yellowtail in the 30- to 35-pound class, 28 calico bass, 39 bonito and 16 whitefish for 30 anglers.
While a single yellowfin may not grab headlines on its own, captains say its appearance is another indication that warm-water species continue to move into Southern California waters. Combined with consistent yellowtail fishing and yellowfin tuna topping 100 pounds in recent weeks, the bite has reached a level few anglers would have imagined earlier this season.
With overnight trips filling quickly as anglers look to capitalize on the action, the message from Newport Beach is clear: the offshore season is firing on all cylinders, and the yellowfin bite appears to be gaining momentum as summer rolls on.
Dana Wharf Sportfishing’s Yellowfin Tuna Tackle Guide
If yellowfin tuna continues moving into Southern California waters this summer, having the right tackle can make all the difference. According to the crew at Dana Wharf Sportfishing, anglers targeting the smaller, local-grade yellowfin should focus on lighter tackle and natural bait presentations.
Rod and Reel
20- to 40-pound rod and reel outfits are ideal for the 8- to 25-pound yellowfin currently showing offshore.
If larger fish in the 30- to 60-pound class move into the area, step up to a 30- to 60-pound outfit with a reel capable of handling heavier line.
Line and Leader
Fish 15- to 30-pound test line when targeting school-sized yellowfin.
Pair your main line with a matching fluorocarbon leader to increase stealth. Yellowfin have abrasive mouths and sharp teeth, making fluorocarbon a smart choice for both abrasion resistance and a more natural presentation.
Hooks
Carry a selection of both J-hooks and circle hooks in sizes ranging from No. 4 to 4/0. The appropriate hook size should match the size of the live bait being fished.
Artificial Lures
Metal “sniper-style” jigs continue to be productive when tuna are feeding away from the boat.
40- to 60-gram jigs are a good starting point.
Increase to 80- to 100-gram models when longer casts are needed or windy conditions make lighter lures difficult to throw.
Many anglers replace the factory treble hook with a single inline hook, which offers better hook-ups and is easier on both fish and anglers.
Don’t overlook the vertical presentation. Allowing the jig to sink beneath the boat before retrieving can often trigger strikes from fish holding deeper in the water column.
Surface Lures
When yellowfin are actively feeding on the surface, surface poppers can produce explosive strikes. Casting beyond the feeding fish and working the lure back with aggressive pops creates a commotion that often draws immediate attention.
Bait
For live-bait anglers, selecting the liveliest sardine in the tank remains one of the most effective tactics for enticing yellowfin into biting.
If this summer has taught Southern California anglers anything, it’s that the offshore season has a way of getting better with each passing week. What began with impressive yellowtail counts soon welcomed dorado, then yellowfin. And now, yellowfin tuna have firmly entered the mix. From San Diego to Newport Beach, captains continue to report encouraging signs that warm-water species are settling into local waters, giving anglers more reasons than ever to leave the dock.
For those still waiting for “the right time” to book a trip, that time is now. Whether your destination is the offshore grounds, the backside of Catalina, or the island’s kelp forests, the opportunities are lining up for one of the most memorable summers in recent years. Boats are filling quickly, weather windows remain favorable and the fish continue to cooperate. Grab the tackle, find the liveliest sardine in the tank, and point the bow toward the island.
Summer isn’t slowing down, and neither is the bite.
