Species guide

Yellowtail

Seriola lalandi

San Diego's hardest-pulling inshore brawler

Yellowtail are the backbone of local sportfishing. They hold on hard structure, ride kelp paddies offshore, and blitz bait balls on the surface. Pound for pound they pull harder than almost anything we catch, and they will bury you in the rocks if you give them an inch.

Season: Year-round, peaking April through October
Best bite: First light on the high spots and around tide changes
Typical size: 12–25 lb, with 30–40 lb 'homeguard' fish possible
Where we fish: Coronado Islands, La Jolla, Point Loma kelp, offshore paddies

How we catch them

Yo-yo iron on hard structure
Flylined or dropper-loop live mackerel
Surface iron over the kelp
Sight-casting to kelp paddies offshore

Tackle we use

30–50 lb straight mono or 65 lb braid to a fluoro topshot
Fast-retrieve conventional reels for yo-yo work
Heavy-duty ringed hooks; stock jigs bend on big fish

Baits & lures

Live mackerel
Live sardine
Squid
Yo-yo iron (blue/white, scrambled egg)
Surface iron

Captain's tips

Wind the yo-yo iron as fast as you physically can — speed triggers the bite.
Lock the drag early to turn the fish away from structure.
Bleed and ice immediately; the quality difference is dramatic.

Table quality

Excellent. Firm white meat, great grilled, smoked, or as sashimi when bled immediately.

Regulations

CDFW finfish limits apply; size limit currently 24 inches fork length — confirm current regs.

Ready to target Yellowtail?

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

(619) 431-3070