California · Central Coast
ALBACORE TUNA FISHING
IN MONTEREY
Monterey 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 Monterey
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 — Monterey
Month-by-month availability for albacore tuna in Monterey, CA.
How to Catch Albacore Tuna in Monterey
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 Monterey
Top spots where local captains target albacore tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Monterey Canyon
Monterey Canyon is one of the largest submarine canyons on the Pacific coast, rivaling the Grand Canyon in scale, and its nutrient-rich upwelling supports extraordinary fishing for king salmon, albacore tuna, and blue sharks. The canyon's rim begins just offshore of Moss Landing and drops to over 10,000 feet, creating one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world.
Shale Island
Shale Island is a submerged pinnacle in outer Monterey Bay where rocky structure rises from deep water to concentrate lingcod, rockfish, and king salmon. Charter boats from Monterey work the island's contours with jigs and live bait for trophy-sized lingcod and quality rockfish on full-day trips.
The Guide
The Guide is an offshore structure in Monterey Bay where depth changes concentrate king salmon along predictable trolling lanes during their spring and summer coastal migration. Monterey charter boats troll the area with downriggers and dodger-fly rigs for quality salmon fishing.
Sur Canyon
Sur Canyon is a deep submarine canyon south of Point Sur accessible from Monterey on longer offshore trips, where extreme depths and upwelling attract albacore tuna, bluefin tuna during warm years, and swordfish. The canyon's nutrient-rich waters support dense baitfish concentrations that draw pelagic species from miles around.
Other Species in Monterey
More fish you can target while visiting Monterey.
Albacore Tuna Fishing in Monterey — FAQ
The peak months for Albacore Tuna fishing in Monterey are August. During these months, Albacore Tuna are most active and abundant in the Monterey area.
Albacore Tuna fishing charters in Monterey 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 Monterey, 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 Monterey, you may also catch Rockfish, Lingcod, Chinook Salmon, Dungeness Crab, Pacific Halibut. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Albacore Tuna in Monterey?
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