summer tuna fishing!

This is it! This is what we have all been waiting for! These three months are bullseye for almost all of our favorite species, and limits of them! During July, August, and September, you will have by fare the largest variety of species to go after. Often times, even targeting on species yields an enormous by-catch of another. Our customers dont seem to mind this, as catching 3 or 4 species in one day in and of itself is an accomplishment.  Be careful though, these three months book up Months in advance, and weekdays even sell out if you wait to the last min.

EL NINO SUMMER PREDICTED FOR 2024!

El Nino is a weather phenomenon that occurs every few years, in which the ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean become warmer than normal. This warming can have a significant impact on the migration patterns of fish, including tuna, and can lead to some of the best fishing conditions of the year. In 2024, it is predicted that El Nino will have a strong presence during the summer months, which means that sportfishing in and around San Diego will be exceptional.

Tuna, in particular, are known to thrive in warmer waters, and during El Nino events, they tend to migrate closer to the coast. This means that anglers in and around San Diego will have the opportunity to target a variety of tuna species, including yellowfin, bluefin, and albacore. The warmer waters also tend to attract large schools of baitfish, which in turn, attract predatory species like tuna, dorado, and yellowtail. This makes El Nino summers a prime time for deep-sea fishing.

The warmer ocean temperatures also tend to bring a larger variety of fish species closer to the coast, which means that anglers will have the opportunity to target a wide range of species during their fishing trips. In addition to tuna, dorado, and yellowtail, anglers can expect to encounter species such as marlin, wahoo, and shark. This makes for an exciting and diverse fishing experience, as anglers can target multiple species during the same trip.

The warmer waters also tend to bring an abundance of baitfish closer to the coast, which makes for excellent fishing for species like calico bass, sand bass, and halibut. In addition, the warmer waters can also make for good fishing for species like rockfish and lingcod, which are typically found in deeper waters.

It's worth noting that El Nino also can bring some negative impacts such as the warmer water temperatures can cause a decrease in oxygen levels in the water, which can be harmful to some species of fish. However, it's also worth noting that the warmer water temperatures can also bring an abundance of baitfish closer to the coast, which can actually lead to an increase in the population of some species of fish.

In summary, the 2024 El Nino summer is shaping up to be an exceptional year for sportfishing in and around San Diego. The warmer ocean temperatures will bring a variety of tuna species closer to the coast, as well as a wide range of other predatory species. Anglers can expect to encounter an abundance of baitfish, which in turn, will attract a diverse array of fish species. The warmer waters will also make for excellent fishing for species like calico bass, sand bass, and halibut. With this in mind, anglers should take advantage of the exceptional fishing conditions during the El Nino summer and plan their fishing trips accordingly.

spring tuna FISHING

Really the Tuna start to arrive in numbers around mid to late June, the bluefin tuna that is. They always get here first. Until then you have to settle for the rare single or the lucky shot. During April and May there is plenty of bass fishing, halibut, and Yellowtail fishing to keep you busy. Yellowfin probably won't get here until Mid July, along with Dorado. If you willing to head south into Mexican waters, fishing is better.

fall & winter tuna fishing

You should start by reading these two in depth articles about the subject, SOCAL WINTER FISHING & CORONADOS WINTER FISHING. Both of these articles can give you in depth information about the subject. October still has great bluefin fishing, and sometimes they even stay as long as November and December. Your experiences may vary. Usually by mid November the fleet has given up on tuna on all but the longest range, southerly direction charters we have, the long range sport fishing six packs. If you are willing to travel, we can take you as far south as Cabo, on a trip as long as nine days. Currently the LUCKY CHARM and LITTLE G are offering these trips. If you are interested, please contact us at 619.508.7823. Within local water you can catch you fill of Rockfish, Bass, Yellowtail at either the Coronado Islands, San Clemente, or further south to the Rock Pile.

WINTER FISHING

If you have not already done so, please go read the article SOCAL WINTER FISHING and CORONADO ISLANDS MEXICAN WINTER SPOT articles. They are both in depth and cover this top very thoroughly. The bottom line is, Tuna are pretty much gone during these 3 months of winter shown below. But worry not, the Yellowtail, Lingcod, Halibut, and Rockfish, just to name a few, are still here in abudant numbers.

• SEASONAL SAN DIEGO FISHING FACTSHEET

• Saltwater ocean sport fishing in San Diego offers a wide variety of species to target throughout the year. The seasons for different fish species can vary depending on a number of factors such as water temperature, migration patterns, and bait availability.

• One of the most sought after species in San Diego is the tuna. Yellowfin tuna are typically caught in the summer and fall, while bluefin tuna can be caught year-round, with peak seasons in the winter and spring. Tuna are powerful and fast swimmers, making them a challenging and exciting catch for anglers.

• Another popular species in San Diego is yellowtail. These fish are typically caught in the spring and summer, with peak seasons in June and July. Yellowtail can be caught using a variety of techniques, including live bait and jigs.

• In addition to tuna and yellowtail, San Diego is also home to a variety of other species that are popular among sport fishermen. Dorado, also known as mahi-mahi, can be caught in the summer and fall. Calico sandbass, rockfish, and lingcod are also common catches in San Diego, with peak seasons varying depending on the species.

• Halibut, whitefish, and marlin are also present in San Diego waters. Halibut fishing is most popular in the spring and summer, whitefish can be caught year-round, and marlin are typically caught in the summer and fall.

• Swordfish is also present in San Diego waters, but it is considered as a rare catch. Swordfish are generally caught at night, using electric reels and strong tackle.

• Other species that can be caught in San Diego include barracuda, bonito, and wahoo. Barracuda can be caught year-round, while bonito and wahoo are typically caught in the summer and fall.

What are the management practices for Pacific Bluefin Tuna and how are they different from Atlantic Bluefin Tuna?

Management practices for Pacific Bluefin Tuna differ from those for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna in various ways. In the Pacific, regulations for Pacific bluefin tuna are less strict compared to the Atlantic, with states having the authority to set bag limits and regulations. The 2020 population assessment has revealed that Pacific bluefin tuna are being overfished, necessitating potential changes in regulations to protect the species. Managing the Pacific bluefin tuna population poses challenges due to their extensive migration routes that span from California to Japan. Moreover, the regulations governing Pacific bluefin tuna harvest vary among different states and countries, resulting in a fragmented approach that may have limited impact on population conservation. Overall, these differences underscore the divergent management strategies employed to safeguard Pacific and Atlantic bluefin tuna populations.

How is the Pacific Bluefin Tuna season in 2024 structured?

In 2022, the Pacific Bluefin Tuna season is generally structured to extend from May to October; however, specific timing can vary based on the location and annual fish migration patterns. Recreational anglers targeting bluefin tuna along the Pacific coast are not subject to a closed season, meaning they can fish year-round. It is important to note that even though there is no specific closed season, there are bag limits imposed by each state to regulate the catch of Pacific Bluefin Tuna during the season.

What are the management practices for Pacific Bluefin Tuna and how are they different from Atlantic Bluefin Tuna?

In 2022, the Pacific Bluefin Tuna season is generally structured to extend from May to October; however, specific timing can vary based on the location and annual fish migration patterns. Recreational anglers targeting bluefin tuna along the Pacific coast are not subject to a closed season, meaning they can fish year-round. It is important to note that even though there is no specific closed season, there are bag limits imposed by each state to regulate the catch of Pacific Bluefin Tuna during the season.

What is Bluefin Tuna?

Bluefin tuna, the largest of the tuna species, is characterized by its torpedo-shaped body and is known for covering long distances during its annual migrations. These majestic fish can be found across the globe. In the United States, bluefin tuna are commonly spotted along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico where they engage in spawning activities. 

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