San Diego’s summer offshore season is ramping up. Yellowtail are building on the local kelp and banks, the first bluefin tuna are showing offshore, and the inshore bass and bottom fishing is steady for anglers staying close to home.
What’s Hitting
Yellowtail are the headline, holding on the kelp paddies, banks, and around the Coronado Islands. The first bluefin tuna are showing on the offshore banks, and bonito and barracuda are mixed in on the bait. Calico and sand bass are working the kelp and structure inshore.
Where to Find Them
Find yellowtail on the local kelp paddies, the banks, and around the Coronados. Bluefin are on the offshore banks — the 425 and beyond. Calico bass hold in the kelp and structure inshore, and sand bass are on the flats and hard bottom. The bays and the kelp beds inshore hold calico and sand bass plus bonito, a productive close-to-home option when the offshore run isn’t worth the fuel.
Tides & Conditions
Early-summer water is warming, drawing the pelagics up the line. The best offshore window is the calm morning before the afternoon wind. Look for kelp paddies and bird schools to find yellowtail and tuna. Fishable morning seas have been the rule — watch the afternoon breeze.
Tackle & Tactics
Fly-line a live sardine or mackerel to yellowtail on the paddies, and drop iron when they’re deep. For bluefin, match the bait with a fly-lined sardine or work a kite or sinker rig. Throw swimbaits and plastics to calico and sand bass in the kelp and structure. Fly-lined live sardines on a 20- to 30-pound outfit are the yellowtail and tuna standard; carry surface iron and a heavier jig stick for fish holding deep on the paddies.
Local Intel This Week
Launch or board from the Shelter Island or Mission Bay ramps and landings for offshore and inshore access. Yellowtail are concentrating on the kelp paddies and banks, and bluefin on the offshore grounds. California has size and bag limits on many species — check current CDFW regulations before keeping fish. The Shelter Island Pier and the Ocean Beach Pier give shore anglers a shot at bass, bonito, and the occasional halibut.
This Week’s Tip
When you find a kelp paddy holding yellowtail, ease up on it and fly-line a lively bait right to the edge of the kelp. The freshest, friskiest sardine in the tank gets bit first — pick a strong swimmer and let it pull the bite to the boat.