Dorado On Fire Off San Diego! Pegasus Cracks 100+, Producer Limits + 56 Yellowfin 🔥🎣

Dorado are starting to show in greater numbers for the San Diego sportfishing fleet, and the action is heating up fast.

The Pegasus has been on a tear, putting over 100 dorado on the boat on each of her most recent trips. Out of H&M Landing, the Producer came back from her overnight with limits of dorado plus 56 yellowfin tuna. The Grande was in the same area with 41 anglers and put 29 dorado in the bag.

Most of these fish are being found on kelp paddies, so you need the horseshoe with you to locate the right kelp that is not only holding dorado but has fish that are eager to bite. The majority of the dorado are the smaller grade — 4 to 8 pounds — though every once in a while a bigger flathead shows up.

You’re fishing pinhead anchovies, so lighter gear works great. 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon with a #4 or #6 hook is solid. Spinning reels are especially handy for longer casts, and a ⅛-ounce sliding egg sinker can help you get a little more distance.

The yellowfin are also on the smaller side. The Producer’s 56 fish ranged mostly from 2 to 8 pounds, with the occasional bigger one mixed in. Conditions were gorgeous — flat calm seas for the boats working these dorado. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

Late Friday night, Jeff Lingle (who runs a yacht for the Department of Defense) checked in with me from 281 miles south. He was into wide-open dorado fishing with much bigger fish — 15- to 30-pounders mixed with some smaller ones. They also had solid yellowtail, yellowfin tuna up to 75 pounds, and saw seven marlin. After stopping on the coast to load up on mackerel, they headed for the ridge, 400 miles south of Point Loma.

I’m highlighting Jeff’s report because in this El Niño 2026, those are exactly the kind of fish that should push closer to San Diego and, eventually, into Southern California waters.

Check http://friedmanadventures.com for Captain’s audios, landing and boat counts, bait availability, Friedman Adventures AI, kids corner, and lots more.

Don’t miss the End-of-Summer Surf Fishing Festival — Saturday, September 12, 2026, 9am–12pm at Anderson St / PCH in Sunset Beach (noon raffle). Parking available across PCH and at Big Fish Bait & Tackle in Seal Beach.

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