California · Northern California
ALBACORE TUNA FISHING
IN HALF MOON BAY
Half Moon Bay is a solid destination for albacore tuna fishing, with good fishing in August, September. Book a charter and target albacore tuna with local experts.
About Albacore Tuna Fishing in Half Moon Bay
Albacore are warm-water tuna that migrate along the Pacific coast each summer, arriving off Oregon and Washington in July and lingering through October. Known for their long, screaming runs and excellent sushi-grade flesh, albacore trips often head 30–60 miles offshore to find the warm blue water where schools feed on anchovies and squid.
Albacore Tuna are warm-water migrants that arrive off the Pacific coast each summer, following warm currents and baitfish schools 30-60+ miles offshore. Distinguished from other tunas by their extremely long pectoral fins (which extend past the anal fin), albacore have a dark blue back, silver sides, and a white belly. They are the only tuna species marketed as "white meat tuna" and are highly prized for their mild, light-colored flesh that is excellent for sushi, canning, or grilling fresh.
Scientific name: Thunnus alalunga
Albacore Tuna Seasonal Calendar — Half Moon Bay
Month-by-month availability for albacore tuna in Half Moon Bay, CA.
How to Catch Albacore Tuna in Half Moon Bay
Techniques & Bait
Trolling cedar plugs, feather jigs, and Rapalas at 6-8 knots to locate schools, then switching to stop-and-chum with live anchovies or bait chunks is the classic West Coast albacore technique. Once a school is located, casting swimbaits, iron jigs (Salas, Tady), or fly fishing with heavy streamers into the feeding fish produces fast action. "Run and gun" — trolling between temperature breaks until fish are found, then stopping to fish with bait — is the most efficient approach.
Recommended Tackle
Trolling: 6-7 ft medium-heavy rod, 30-40 lb line, conventional reel. Bait fishing: 7-8 ft medium rod, spinning or conventional reel, 20-30 lb mono or 40 lb braid, 25-30 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 10-12 weight rod, fast-sinking line, large Deceiver or Popper patterns. Albacore make long, fast runs — reel capacity and drag quality matter.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in Half Moon Bay
Top spots where local captains target albacore tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
South Farallon Grounds
The waters surrounding the South Farallon Islands are accessible from Half Moon Bay and hold enormous concentrations of rockfish, lingcod, and king salmon over deep rocky pinnacles. Half Moon Bay charter boats make the 20-mile run to the Farallones for some of the most productive deep-water rockfishing on the California coast.
Deep Reef (HMB)
The Deep Reef offshore of Half Moon Bay is an underwater structure in 200 to 400 feet where vermilion rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, and lingcod concentrate over hard bottom. This deep-water spot produces trophy-sized rockfish for charter boats willing to make the longer run from Pillar Point Harbor.
Pescadero Reef
Pescadero Reef lies offshore south of Half Moon Bay where rocky bottom structure in 150 to 300 feet holds lingcod, bocaccio, and assorted deepwater rockfish. The reef is a reliable waypoint for Half Moon Bay charter boats on full-day bottom-fishing trips along the San Mateo coast.
HMB Canyon
The submarine canyon offshore of Half Moon Bay channels deep, nutrient-rich water close to the coast, attracting king salmon during their coastal migration and albacore tuna during warm-water years. Trolling the canyon edges with downriggers produces quality salmon from April through September.
Other Species in Half Moon Bay
More fish you can target while visiting Half Moon Bay.
Albacore Tuna Fishing in Half Moon Bay — FAQ
Albacore Tuna fishing in Half Moon Bay is productive during August, September.
Albacore Tuna fishing charters in Half Moon Bay are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Trolling cedar plugs, feather jigs, and Rapalas at 6-8 knots to locate schools, then switching to stop-and-chum with live anchovies or bait chunks is the classic West Coast albacore technique. Once a school is located, casting swimbaits, iron jigs (Salas, Tady), or fly fishing with heavy streamers into the feeding fish produces fast action. "Run and gun" — trolling between temperature breaks until fish are found, then stopping to fish with bait — is the most efficient approach.
No — when you book a charter in Half Moon Bay, your captain provides all required California fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Albacore Tuna regulations in California include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Albacore Tuna in Half Moon Bay, you may also catch Rockfish, Chinook Salmon, Lingcod, Dungeness Crab, Pacific Halibut. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Albacore Tuna in Half Moon Bay?
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