Pacific Bonito

Sarda chiliensis

Pound for pound one of the hardest pullers in SoCal

Bonito are small tuna with an outsized attitude. They roam in fast-moving schools, crash surface bait, and never stop pulling. They are perfect for kids and first-timers, and they make superb bait for bigger game.

Season

Late spring through fall, some years year-round

Best bite

Any time you find breaking fish or a working bird school

Typical size

2–6 lb, occasionally 10 lb-plus 'boneheads'

Where we fish

Open water, bait schools, harbor mouths and kelp edges