San Diego Seasonal Fishing Calendar

Month Top Species Peak Technique Conditions & Notes
January Rockfish, Lingcod Deep jigging, dropper loops Prime rockfish season; lingcod on deep structure offshore
February Rockfish, White Seabass (early) Deep jigging, swimbaits on kelp Rockfish continues; white seabass begin showing along kelp
March White Seabass, Rockfish Swimbaits and mackerel on kelp edges White seabass prime season — large fish in the kelp beds
April Yellowtail (arriving), White Seabass Live sardines at Coronado Islands First yellowtail of the season at the Coronados
May Yellowtail (PEAK start), White Seabass Live sardines, yo-yo jigs Yellowtail season in full swing at Coronado Islands
June Yellowtail, Pacific Bluefin (arriving) Live bait and yo-yo jigs, offshore tuna First Pacific bluefin appear; yellowtail excellent at the Islands
July Pacific Bluefin Tuna (PEAK), Yellowtail Popping, jigging, trolling for bluefin Peak Pacific bluefin month — 100-300 lb fish offshore
August Pacific Bluefin, Yellowfin Tuna Offshore tuna — long-range or day trips Excellent offshore tuna action; all species present
September Bluefin, Wahoo (building), Yellowtail Offshore tuna, wahoo trolling toward Baja Wahoo opportunities south; bluefin strong through October
October Wahoo, Bluefin, White Seabass (2nd run) High-speed wahoo trolling, bluefin jigging Wahoo building; second white seabass run inshore
November Rockfish, Lingcod, Late Wahoo Deep jigging, dropper loops Offshore transitions to rockfish; lingcod season opens
December Rockfish, Lingcod, Calico Bass Deep jigging, kelp bass on swimbaits Prime rockfish and lingcod; calico bass in kelp year-round