Fish smarter offshore.
How-tos, rigs, species guides and boat tips for tuna and offshore fishing in Southern California, from San Diego to Orange County, LA and Ventura.
Bluefin tuna in Southern California, a season guide
When Pacific bluefin show up off SoCal, where people find them, how they behave, and how to get one to bite.
Species ·The FG knot, step by step
The slimmest, strongest way to join braid to a fluorocarbon leader. It takes practice, but once you have it you'll never go back.
Rigs & Knots ·Fishing Mexican waters from San Diego, what you need
Some of the best tuna fishing out of San Diego is across the line. Licenses, knowing where the line is, inspections and bringing fish home.
Boats ·Fuel planning for offshore runs: the rule of thirds
How far can your boat really go? A simple way to work out your range, with a worked example, and the things that eat into it.
Boats ·Getting your boat ready for tuna season
A pre-season checklist for engines, safety gear, electronics, bait tanks and tackle, so the first offshore trip isn't the one where something breaks.
Boats ·How to fish a kelp paddy
Floating kelp is the one bit of structure in open water. Here's how to approach one, what lives under it and when to move on.
How-To ·How to kite fish for bluefin
A kite keeps your bait skipping on the surface, far from the boat and with no line in the water. Here's how to set one up and fish it.
How-To ·Offshore fishing out of Los Angeles and Long Beach
Tuna and offshore fishing from San Pedro, Long Beach and the LA harbors. The banks and islands in range, distances and how to plan the run.
Where to Fish ·Offshore fishing out of Orange County: Dana Point and Newport
Tuna fishing from Dana Point and Newport Beach. The banks in range, how far they are, and what to do when the fish are down south.
Where to Fish ·Offshore fishing out of Ventura and Oxnard
Offshore and tuna fishing from Channel Islands Harbor and Ventura. The islands and banks in range, and what it takes to find tuna this far north.
Where to Fish ·A guide to SoCal's offshore banks and spots
The 9 Mile, the 43, the 182, the 209, the 302, Tanner and Cortes. What each one is, where it sits and how far it is from your harbor.
Where to Fish ·The SoCal tuna season, month by month
What a typical year looks like offshore of Southern California, from the first bluefin of spring to the last fish of fall. No two seasons are the same.
Where to Fish ·Tuna fishing out of San Diego: a local guide
San Diego is the closest SoCal port to most tuna water. Where to launch, which banks are in range, sportboats vs your own boat, and when to go.
Where to Fish ·Winter bluefin: are they still around?
In recent years bluefin haven't always left when summer ends. What winter bluefin fishing off SoCal looks like, and what to do differently.
Species ·The four bluefin rigs every SoCal boat should carry
Fly-line, sinker rig, flat-fall jig and surface iron. What each one is for, and when to switch.
Rigs & Knots ·Yellowfin off SoCal: warm water, porpoise and paddies
Yellowfin come north in warm years. Here's when to expect them, what to look for, and how to fish them.
Species ·Your first offshore tuna trip, a checklist
Running 40 miles out on your own boat is a different game from fishing the kelp. Here's what to sort out before you leave the slip.
Boats ·