Species guide

Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares

Fast, aggressive, and the best eating tuna in the fleet

Yellowfin show up when the water warms past about 68 degrees, often mixed with dorado under kelp paddies and porpoise schools. They are far less line-shy than bluefin and will chew on a chum line all afternoon, which makes them the perfect species for guests new to offshore fishing.

Season: July through November on warm-water years
Best bite: Mid-morning through afternoon once the chum line is established
Typical size: 15–40 lb, occasional 60 lb-plus fish
Where we fish: Warm blue water south and west of Point Loma, 30–90 miles out

How we catch them

Flylining live sardine behind a heavy chum line
Trolling feathers and cedar plugs to locate the school
Working porpoise schools and kelp paddies
Surface iron and small poppers on breaking fish

Tackle we use

25–40 lb outfits with 30–40 lb fluorocarbon
1/0–3/0 circle hooks
Conventional star or lever drag reels, 300 yards of line

Baits & lures

Live sardine
Live anchovy
Cedar plugs
Feather jigs
Colt Sniper

Captain's tips

Chum steadily but sparingly; you want them hungry, not full.
Match hook size to bait size so the sardine swims freely.
Once the school is chummed up, drop leader size before you drop hook size.

Table quality

Outstanding — clean, mild loins for sashimi, poke, and the grill.

Regulations

Federal HMS permit required; standard CDFW/NOAA bag limits apply.

Ready to target Yellowfin Tuna?

Private charters aboard the Kate Elizabeth out of Seaforth Marina, Mission Bay.

(619) 431-3070