UTERAlbacore fishing in Central California Coast
In Central California Coast, albacore peak August–September and are around July–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Peak — troll cedar plugs and feathers along the temperature break, then stop and fish live anchovy.
Last fish before the fall wind.
Albacore in Central California Coast, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyArrivingAlbacore show 30–60 miles off Morro Bay and Half Moon Bay when the warm water pushes in.
- AugustPeakPeak — troll cedar plugs and feathers along the temperature break, then stop and fish live anchovy.
- SeptemberPeakBest month off the central coast in good years.
- OctoberLeavingLast fish before the fall wind.
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish albacore near Morro Bay, Monterey, Santa Cruz
A rugged, cold coast of kelp and granite — Big Sur, Monterey Bay's submarine canyon, Half Moon Bay, the Farallones — and San Francisco Bay, San Pablo and Suisun Bays running up into the Delta.
Fish Scouter charts 1 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Central Coast & San Francisco Bay map area — the kinds albacore hold on.
What to use for albacore
- SquidStrips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig.
- Sand eelsFree-lined or on a light jig head for stripers, fluke and bluefish; strips teased on a fluke rig.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 60–72°F water, best at 62–68°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch albacore in Central California Coast?
Peak season is August–September. Albacore are in Central California Coast July–October. August: Peak — troll cedar plugs and feathers along the temperature break, then stop and fish live anchovy.
Where do albacore hold in Central California Coast?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Morro Bay, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, San Francisco, Berkeley.
What is the best bait for albacore in Central California Coast?
Live bait: squid, sand eels. Squid: Strips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for albacore in Central California Coast?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing.
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All about albacore · Central Coast & San Francisco Bay, the whole year