UTERYellowfin tuna fishing in Southern California
In Southern California, yellowfin tuna peak August–October and are around July–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Peak: paddies, porpoise and the 9-Mile, 371 and 425 banks.
Good offshore until the first cold north swell.
Yellowfin tuna in Southern California, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyArrivingYellowfin cross the border with the warm water — kelp paddies and porpoise schools 30–100 miles out.
- AugustPeakPeak: paddies, porpoise and the 9-Mile, 371 and 425 banks.
- SeptemberPeakStill peak in warm years.
- OctoberPeakGood offshore until the first cold north swell.
- NovemberLeavingLast fish.
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish yellowfin tuna near San Diego, Dana Point, Long Beach
A sheltered bight of kelp forests, sand flats and harbors, with the Channel Islands, Catalina and San Clemente 20–60 miles out and the offshore banks (Tanner, Cortes, the 9-Mile, the 43) beyond. The long-range sportboat fleet out of San Diego is its heart.
Fish Scouter charts 227 wreck, 16 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Southern California Bight map area — the kinds yellowfin tuna hold on.
What to use for yellowfin tuna
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Menhaden (pogies)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined or slow-trolled; cut in chunks for the bottom.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- Opelu (mackerel scad)Bridled live and slow-trolled or drifted down for ahi, ono and marlin; cut for bottom fishing.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 72–84°F water, best at 74–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch yellowfin tuna in Southern California?
Peak season is August–October. Yellowfin tuna are in Southern California July–November. August: Peak: paddies, porpoise and the 9-Mile, 371 and 425 banks.
Where do yellowfin tuna hold in Southern California?
Look on ledge / hard bottom, wreck — around San Diego, Dana Point, Long Beach, Marina del Rey, Oxnard, Santa Barbara.
What is the best bait for yellowfin tuna in Southern California?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), menhaden (pogies), threadfin herring (greenbacks), opelu (mackerel scad). Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for yellowfin tuna in Southern California?
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 yellowfin tuna · Southern California Bight, the whole year