UTERAlbacore fishing in Southern California
In Southern California, albacore are around July–October but never at the peak of their run, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: SoCal albacore come and go by decade — some summers there's a long-range bite 100+ miles out; most years, not.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Albacore in Southern California, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyAroundSoCal albacore come and go by decade — some summers there's a long-range bite 100+ miles out; most years, not.
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAroundIf they're here, the offshore banks.
- OctoberAround
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish albacore 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 16 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Southern California Bight 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 Southern California?
Albacore are in Southern California July–October, but the calendar never marks a peak here. July: SoCal albacore come and go by decade — some summers there's a long-range bite 100+ miles out; most years, not.
Where do albacore hold in Southern California?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around San Diego, Dana Point, Long Beach, Marina del Rey, Oxnard, Santa Barbara.
What is the best bait for albacore in Southern California?
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 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.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores albacore for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about albacore · Southern California Bight, the whole year