Bluefin Tuna Fishing Heats Up Along Baja California

As the waters off Baja California warm with the seasonal shift, anglers are witnessing a remarkable transition from bluefin to yellowfin tuna. Currently, the dividing line appears to be around Punta Eugenia at the tip of the Vizcaíno Peninsula, which points toward Cedros Island along Baja's Pacific coast. South of this line, particularly near Bahía Magdalena, yellowfin tuna fishing is gaining momentum, complemented by excellent yellowtail catches along the coast and around islands from Cedros to Asunción.

 

North of Punta Eugenia, bluefin tuna remain the predominant catch offshore. Reports indicate that bluefin are most abundant from the banks off Ensenada up to the Channel Islands. Fishing success has been variable, with strong bites occurring for a few days, followed by periods of inactivity. Notably, most bluefin catches have been over the 100-pound mark during nighttime fishing, while daytime catches range from 40 pounds and up.

 

For those targeting bluefin, it's advisable to equip at least one 80 to 100-pound outfit with 300-gram to 400-gram knife jigs and number 2 to 2/0 circle hooks for bait. Additionally, a lighter 25 to 35-pound setup with 8 to 12-ounce torpedo sinkers and similar-sized hooks is recommended for dropper loop bait, fly-line, or kite fishing during the day.

 

Local short-run boats have reported successful outings targeting calico bass and rockfish, with occasional catches of yellowtail, white seabass, and halibut. Notably, market squid have been spotted off La Jolla, leading to an uptick in white seabass fishing. Anglers have landed several good-sized fish during morning and evening half-day trips off Point Loma and outside the reserve in La Jolla.

 

Longer trips have focused on rockfish off the 9-Mile Bank and south to the Coronado Islands, where yellowtail have begun to bite, albeit slowly. Despite good marks on schools, the action is expected to pick up substantially in the coming weeks as conditions improve.

 

In recent developments, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission has increased catch limits for Pacific bluefin tuna by nearly 80% for 2025-2026, following an encouraging stock assessment. This decision offers a significant boost for U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries, particularly in Southern California, after years of strict conservation efforts. [nationalfisherman.com]
https://www.nationalfisherman.com/tuna-quotas-soar-by-80-in-2025

 

Anglers are encouraged to stay informed about local regulations and to practice sustainable fishing to ensure the continued health of tuna populations in the region.