California · Southern California
ALBACORE TUNA FISHING
IN LONG BEACH
Long Beach is a solid destination for albacore tuna fishing, with peak season in August and good catches in July, September. Book a charter and target albacore tuna with local experts.
About Albacore Tuna Fishing in Long Beach
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 — Long Beach
Month-by-month availability for albacore tuna in Long Beach, CA.
How to Catch Albacore Tuna in Long Beach
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 Long Beach
Top spots where local captains target albacore tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Catalina Island
Catalina Island lies 22 miles off Long Beach and its rocky reefs, kelp forests, and deep banks hold trophy calico bass, yellowtail, white seabass, giant sea bass, and bluefin tuna. The island's clear water and diverse structure provide world-class fishing on day and overnight trips from Long Beach.
14-Mile Bank
The 14-Mile Bank is an offshore underwater ridge roughly 14 miles from the Long Beach coast where bluefin tuna, yellowtail, barracuda, and bonito concentrate over structure in the San Pedro Channel. The bank is a premier destination for pelagic fishing during warm-water months when tuna push through.
Horseshoe Bank
Horseshoe Bank is an offshore structure in the San Pedro Channel where yellowtail, barracuda, and bonito congregate over underwater ridges and depth transitions. Charter boats from Long Beach troll and drift the bank during summer for quality pelagic catches within reasonable range.
San Pedro Channel Deep
The deep waters of the San Pedro Channel between Long Beach and Catalina hold bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish during warm-water events, with the channel's depth exceeding 2,500 feet. Long-range charter boats work the channel's structure and current edges for trophy pelagic species.
Other Species in Long Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Long Beach.
Rockfish
Yellowtail
White Seabass
Lingcod
Yellowfin Tuna
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Striped Marlin
Mahi Mahi
Albacore Tuna Fishing in Long Beach — FAQ
The peak months for Albacore Tuna fishing in Long Beach are August. During these months, Albacore Tuna are most active and abundant in the Long Beach area.
Albacore Tuna fishing charters in Long Beach 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 Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, you may also catch Rockfish, Yellowtail, White Seabass, Lingcod, Yellowfin Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Albacore Tuna in Long Beach?
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