California · Southern California
YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHING
IN LONG BEACH
Long Beach is a solid destination for yellowfin tuna fishing, with peak season in August and good catches in June, July, September. Book a charter and target yellowfin tuna with local experts.
About Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Long Beach
A powerful open-water predator prized for sashimi-grade flesh. Found in blue water near rips and structure.
Yellowfin Tuna are among the most powerful and prized offshore gamefish in the world. Their torpedo-shaped body is designed for sustained high-speed swimming, with a dark metallic blue back, silver-gold sides, and bright yellow finlets and fins that give them their name. Mature yellowfin develop extraordinarily long second dorsal and anal fins that sweep back like sickles. These warm-blooded fish (one of few fish that can maintain elevated body temperature) are found in deep blue water near oil rigs, floating debris, and temperature breaks. Their sashimi-grade flesh is among the finest seafood in the world.
Scientific name: Thunnus albacares
Yellowfin Tuna Seasonal Calendar — Long Beach
Month-by-month availability for yellowfin tuna in Long Beach, CA.
How to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in Long Beach
Techniques & Bait
Chunking (cutting fresh baitfish into chunks and creating a chum slick) with yellowfin tuna hooks baited with fresh chunk bait is deadly when fish are located near structure or rigs. Live bait (hardtails, blue runners, goggle-eyes) drifted on the surface or at depth with a balloon or kite produces the largest fish. Trolling with cedar plugs, skirted ballyhoo, and spreader bars at 6-8 knots covers water when fish are scattered. Jigging with heavy butterfly jigs under the boat when fish are marked on the sounder is increasingly popular.
Recommended Tackle
Heavy conventional rod, 50-80 lb class reel, 65-100 lb braid, 80-130 lb fluorocarbon leader (at least 15 feet), 7/0-9/0 circle hooks. For chunking: medium-heavy spinning with 40-65 lb braid. Stand-up gear for fish over 100 lbs.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in Long Beach
Top spots where local captains target yellowfin 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
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Albacore Tuna
Striped Marlin
Mahi Mahi
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Long Beach — FAQ
The peak months for Yellowfin Tuna fishing in Long Beach are August. During these months, Yellowfin Tuna are most active and abundant in the Long Beach area.
Yellowfin 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.
Chunking (cutting fresh baitfish into chunks and creating a chum slick) with yellowfin tuna hooks baited with fresh chunk bait is deadly when fish are located near structure or rigs. Live bait (hardtails, blue runners, goggle-eyes) drifted on the surface or at depth with a balloon or kite produces the largest fish. Trolling with cedar plugs, skirted ballyhoo, and spreader bars at 6-8 knots covers water when fish are scattered. Jigging with heavy butterfly jigs under the boat when fish are marked on the sounder is increasingly popular.
No — when you book a charter in Long Beach, your captain provides all required California fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Yellowfin 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 Yellowfin Tuna in Long Beach, you may also catch Rockfish, Yellowtail, White Seabass, Lingcod, Pacific Bluefin Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Yellowfin Tuna in Long Beach?
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