Bluefin Tuna Fishing out of Long Beach: Locating, Hooking & Landing Giants

The Return of the Pacific Bluefin

Pacific bluefin tuna fishing off Southern California has experienced a dramatic resurgence in recent years, and Long Beach sits at the center of the action. These powerful, deep-bodied tuna can exceed 200 pounds in local waters, with fish in the 30 to 100-pound range making up the bulk of the catch. Bluefin are the apex gamefish of the SoCal offshore scene — faster, stronger, and more challenging than any other tuna species that visits these waters.

The bluefin resurgence has transformed the Long Beach sport fishing fleet. Where boats once ran exclusively to the offshore banks for yellowtail and yellowfin, now the fleet spends significant time chasing bluefin on the open water between the mainland and Catalina Island, around the offshore islands, and on the deep banks. When the bite is on, it's some of the most exciting fishing available anywhere in the Pacific.

When Bluefin Show Up

Early Season (May through June)

The first bluefin schools typically appear in SoCal waters by May, moving north from Mexican waters as they follow warming currents. Early-season fish tend to be schoolies in the 20 to 50-pound range, often found in scattered pods on the open water between San Diego and Long Beach. They can be spotted by their surface crashes and the cloud of bait they push up. The bite is inconsistent but the fish are eager when found.

Peak Season (July through September)

This is the main window. Bluefin become established in the local waters, with schools holding around the offshore banks, the backside of Catalina, and the deep water off the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Mixed-size schools — from 30-pounders to 100-plus-pound fish — create opportunities for a range of tackle setups. The fleet keys on sonar marks, bird activity, and fleet radio chatter to locate moving schools.

Late Season (October through December)

During warm-water years, bluefin linger well into fall and even early winter. Late-season fish tend to be the largest, with trophy-class specimens over 150 pounds showing up. The fishing becomes more technical as fish get pressured and water cools. Slow-trolling large mackerel and using heavy fluorocarbon leaders become essential for hooking wary late-season bluefin.

Techniques for Hooking Bluefin

Live Bait

Live sardines and anchovies are the foundation of SoCal bluefin fishing. When a school is located, the boat stops and begins chumming — tossing handfuls of live bait to attract and hold the tuna near the boat. Once fish appear in the chum, hook a lively sardine through the nose on a 2/0 to 4/0 ringed hook and fly-line it into the melee. For larger bluefin, a large live mackerel on a 6/0 to 8/0 hook with a longer fluorocarbon leader is the standard big-fish approach.

Kite Fishing

Kite fishing has become one of the most effective techniques for targeting large, wary bluefin. A fishing kite suspends the bait at the surface with just the tail in the water, creating a natural splashing action that drives bluefin wild. The technique eliminates the line-in-the-water factor that spooks educated fish, and it's often the only method that produces on pressured schools.

Slow Trolling

For trophy-class bluefin, slow-trolling large live mackerel behind the boat at 2 to 3 knots covers ground and presents a natural offering. This method works well for locating fish in open water and is particularly effective for the largest specimens that may not respond to chumming.

Popper and Stick Bait Fishing

When bluefin are crashing bait on the surface, casting large topwater poppers and stick baits into the fray can produce explosive strikes. This is not for the faint of heart — a 60-pound bluefin on a popper rod is a physical battle that tests equipment and angler alike.

"Bluefin tuna have changed the game in SoCal. These fish are the strongest thing swimming in our water, and the techniques you need to catch the big ones require a different level of preparation and tackle. It's not a casual fishery — it's big-game fishing, and the rewards are extraordinary." — Long Beach tuna captain

Tackle for Bluefin

• School fish (20-50 lbs): Medium-heavy rod, 40-50 lb braid, 30-40 lb fluorocarbon leader, 2/0-4/0 ringed hooks
• Mid-size fish (50-100 lbs): Heavy rod, 65-80 lb braid, 50-60 lb fluorocarbon leader (15-20 feet), 4/0-6/0 hooks, high-capacity reel (Avet HX, Penn International)
• Trophy fish (100+ lbs): Stand-up heavy rod, 80-130 lb line class, 80-100 lb fluorocarbon leader, 6/0-8/0 hooks, large conventional reel with 500+ yards of capacity
• Kite setup: Dedicated kite rod and reel, release clips, and a kite rated for the expected wind conditions

Regulations

Pacific bluefin tuna regulations in California waters are managed through a combination of CDFW and international agreements. Bag limits and size minimums can change annually based on stock assessments. Check CDFW's current regulations for the most recent bluefin tuna rules before booking your trip out of Long Beach.

Preparation Tips

Bluefin trips are demanding. Bring plenty of food and water, wear sun protection, and be prepared for a long day. Motion sickness prevention is strongly recommended — these trips involve significant running time and time spent drifting on open water. Most importantly, check your tackle before the trip. Retie knots, check drag settings, inspect hooks, and replace any questionable leader material. Bluefin tuna expose every weakness in your setup, and losing a trophy fish to preventable tackle failure is an experience no angler wants.