San Diego Fishing Report — Week of June 11, 2026: Yellowtail & Tuna

Updated: Thursday, June 11, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, June 18, 2026

This San Diego fishing report covers mid-June, when the saltwater scene heats up for summer. Yellowtail are the lead target from inshore to offshore, working the kelp paddies, the banks and the Coronado Islands, while the first bluefin tuna of the season draw the long-range and overnight boats. Plan around light morning winds and steadily warming, improving water, which should keep the yellowtail and bluefin bite building through June.

What’s Hitting

Yellowtail headline the half- and three-quarter-day boats on the kelp paddies, the banks and the Coronado Islands. Yo-yo iron, surface iron and live bait (sardines and mackerel) all work when the fish are on the chew.

Offshore, bluefin tuna supply the big-fish excitement on the kelps and open-water schools. Expect sizes from school fish up to genuine cows, rewarding boats that put in time on the troll and the sonar.

Inshore, calico bass (kelp bass) respond well around the kelp beds and structure, and white seabass are a worthwhile target around the kelp for anglers willing to grind. Barracuda and bonito mix into the inshore action. On the bottom, rockfish and sand bass provide steady action and good eating, and the bay and surf offer halibut, spotted bay bass and corbina for light-tackle anglers.

Where to Find Them

Yellowtail build on the local kelp and around the Coronado Islands, and the kelp edges hold yellowtail, calico bass and barracuda on the bait stops. The kelp beds off Point Loma and the nearshore kelp off Mission Beach are the closest options for trailer boats, and boats with the range can make the run south toward the Islands.

For bluefin, push offshore to the kelps and the open-water schools. Inside San Diego Bay, bass and bonito provide steady action, and the south bay offers more protected water for light tackle.

Tides & Conditions

Classic early-summer Southern California conditions set the pattern: light morning winds and improving water.

Warming water is the driver. As temperatures climb through June, expect the yellowtail and bluefin bite to keep building. Offshore, scan for foamers and meter bait, since bluefin follow the bait schools across open water.

Tackle & Tactics

Keep two setups rigged for the kelp yellowtail.

• Yellowtail on top: a flylined sardine or a surface iron worked over the bait schools.
• Yellowtail deep: a heavier setup rigged with a yo-yo iron.
• Calico bass: swimbaits and plastics around the kelp and structure.
• White seabass: live squid and bait around the kelp.
• Bluefin: a small surface iron or a flatfall for finicky fish.

These bluefin are notoriously line-shy, so fluorocarbon leaders and patience pay.

Local Intel This Week

Shelter Island launch ramp on San Diego Bay is the main trailer-boat access for the bay, the kelp beds off Point Loma and the run south toward the Islands. In Mission Bay, the Dana Landing and De Anza Cove ramps serve anglers fishing the kelp and nearshore off Mission Beach, and the Chula Vista ramp reaches the south bay.

Fisherman’s Landing and H&M Landing are the sportfishing landings for anglers without a boat, and Ocean Beach Pier gives shore anglers a public option. Confirm any federal bluefin allocations along with state rules. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.

This Week’s Tip

For finicky early bluefin, scan for foamers and meter bait offshore, then throw a small surface iron or a flatfall rather than forcing a heavy presentation. Run a fluorocarbon leader and stay patient; line-shy fish that refuse heavier gear often eat a lighter, cleaner offering.