If you were to describe what an ideal rod and reel quiver for Southern California was two decades ago, the answer would have been straightforward and compact. In the last decade, the trend and cycle in the Southern California Bight have provided a greater diversity of species to target, along with some record size fish.
On the west coast, we are seldom eager to change tactics for the hot new method, but we've come to understand and have adopted Slow Pitch Jigging as a great addition to our Southern California angling repertoire.
There are all sorts of animals in the world that have symbiotic relationships. Tuna, especially Yellowfin Tuna, partake in a symbiotic relationship with Cetaceans, which is beneficial to anglers in locating Yellowfin Tuna.According to studies about the relationship between tuna species and Cetaceans, this love affair is known as Commensalism.
Looking at the entirety of the ocean, we see absolute signs of an El Nino for 2023. Around the equator, warm water transition eastward from Papua New Guinea toward Central America. Given all the information, it’s predicted that the end of July will be when we see the climactic engagement of El Nino in the Northern Hemisphere.
Across North America, you'll find regions that have their bread-and-butter gamefish. The Northeast has Striped Bass, the Southeast has Cobia, the Gulf has Redfish, the Northwest has Salmon, and for us in the Southwest, our bread-and-butter target species would have to be Yellowtail.
Around the world, jigging has been a key tactic to target gamefish. While the rest of the world has been hot on this technique for decades, it's just starting to gain popularity here in Southern California in recent years. Tackle manufacturers and Bait & Tackle Shops now see the opportunity and are coming to the table with specialized heavy gear to pursue our local Bluefin Tuna fishery.
Bluefin Tuna is arguably the most valued fish in the world. From an angler's standpoint, they’re the ultimate gamefish, reaching over 1,000 pounds, capable of long runs, having never-ending battles, and applicable to a number of presentations and fishing techniques.
Many anglers put most of their efforts into planning, locating, presenting, and hooking the fish, but what happens after this? Are you ready to land that fish?
Hands down, some of the most fun you can have as a Southern California angler is fishing kelp paddies. The process is exciting, from hunting down the floating paddy, setting up your drift, discovering its jugged with gamefish and life, and finally getting into a wide-open bite.
