Our local Southern California bluefin fishery, specifically with the emergence of the "cow" tuna, has seen drastic changes in the way we pursue and target these big fish over the past decade. Bar none, the most thrilling methods used to target big bluefin have to be those which allow anglers to witness a visual topwater bite. Whether that be casting into foaming fish, kite fishing, trolling through a breezing school, or drifting a flying fish (flyer) with a balloon rig through the big fish zone, I would challenge you to find an angler who would disagree.
At times, the perception of the Swordfish fishery on the West Coast seemed limited and only available to specialized commercial fishermen until recently. Over the last several years, it’s become apparent that the swordfish fishery in Southern California is quite robust and much more attainable by targeting swordfish through the daytime swordfish deep drop method.
Much of Southern California's fishing efforts focus on the offshore waters, our coastal waters, and kelp beds. Our bays, harbors, and estuaries often get less attention, but those who have studied these bodies of water, commonly find productive, fun fishing.
The Southern California Bight has two species of Halibut, the Pacific Halibut and the California Halibut. While Alaska Halibut fishing charters are popular and a great way to catch Pacific halibut, the California Halibut is much more common in our waters and what we refer to when discussing Halibut fishing.
Much of what we do as anglers is based on experience. Nature sometimes gives up all her secrets, such as a feeding frenzy often referred to as a “foamer.”
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.
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.
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.
