May 2026 — San Diego: Yellowtail Season Building at Coronados, White Seabass on Kelp, First Bluefin Reports. May is a late spring month with water in the 64-68°F range — PEAK yellowtail; white seabass; calicos active; first bluefin. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — May 2026
Primary targets this month: Yellowtail, White Seabass, Calico Bass, Bluefin Tuna.
Yellowtail
Yellowtail on the Coronado Islands, the 9 Mile Bank, the 14 Mile Bank, and the kelp lines off La Jolla and Point Loma — May through October peak. Live mackerel, sardines, or anchovies on 4/0-6/0 circle hooks. Slow-trolled or fly-lined. Heavy enough tackle (40-50 lb) to keep them out of the kelp.
White Seabass
White seabass on La Jolla, Catalina, the kelp beds — squid bait in spring, big fish (60+ lb possible). Live squid (the bait that triggers the bite), or trolled deep at dawn. 40-60 lb tackle.
Calico Bass
Calico Bass on the kelp beds and rocky structure along the entire San Diego coast — Point Loma, La Jolla, Coronado. Plastic swimbaits (3-5″ MC Swimbaits, Big Hammer), live anchovies, or jigs around kelp and rock. Light tackle (15-25 lb) on spinning or baitcasting gear.
Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin tuna on the offshore 30-100 mile zone — the famous southern California bluefin fishery has been epic in recent years, 100-300+ lb fish on jigs and surface poppers. Trolled spreader bars, ballyhoo, large stickbaits; jigging with knife jigs in 200-400 feet; chunking when anchored over bait. HMS permit required.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 64-68°F. Peak yellowtail; white seabass; calicos active; first bluefin. San Diego tides are 4-6 feet — significant for kelp and bay fishing. Bay halibut bite best on the moving tide. Kelp fishing for calicos peaks on slow current as kelp lays back. Offshore tuna driven by water temperature and current rather than tide.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Water temperature is everything. Yellowtail like 64°F+, white seabass like 60-65°F squid spawns, bluefin tuna 68-72°F.
- Live bait priority. Bait quality determines success — buy active anchovies and sardines from the bait barge, use them quickly.
May Outlook
Late spring — tarpon arriving, snook moving, summer pelagic season building offshore.
Regulations Reminder
Tuna: NOAA HMS permit required. Strict size and bag limits — verify current NOAA rules. Yellowtail (CA): 24″ fork length minimum, 10 per day. White Seabass: 28″ minimum, 3 per day (1 per day March-June 15). Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Fisherman’s Landing tackle (Point Loma, 619-221-8500); H&M Landing (Point Loma); Squidco (Chula Vista); Discount Fishing Tackle (multiple SD locations).
Public Boat Ramps: Shelter Island Boat Launch (Point Loma — main public ramp), Mission Bay (Dana Landing, De Anza), Glorietta Bay (Coronado), Chula Vista Marina.
Charter Fishing: $200-$300/person walk-on day trips (Fisherman’s Landing, H&M Landing); $1,200-$2,500 private nearshore/Coronado Islands; $2,500-$6,000+ long-range overnight trips.
More San Diego Resources
San Diego Fishing Guide · San Diego Seasonal Calendar · All San Diego reports →
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