Albacore Tuna Fishing off Monterey: When They Show, How to Catch Them

Monterey's Warm-Water Prize

Albacore tuna are the most exciting seasonal visitor to Monterey Bay. When warm oceanic currents push close to shore — typically between August and November — schools of albacore follow, bringing world-class tuna fishing within range of the local charter fleet. These fish average 15 to 30 pounds, fight with relentless power, and provide some of the finest sashimi-grade meat in the Pacific.

The challenge with albacore is that they're not guaranteed. Unlike rockfish and lingcod, which live on the local reefs year-round, albacore are pelagic migrants that follow warm water and bait. Some years they show up 15 miles from port; other years, anglers run 60 miles or more to find them. When they arrive close, Monterey becomes one of the best albacore ports in California.

Timing the Albacore Season

Early Season (August through Early September)

The first albacore typically appear when sea surface temperatures reach 60 to 62 degrees along the temperature breaks offshore. Scout reports from long-range boats and satellite imagery guide the fleet to the leading edge of the warm water. Early-season fish are often scattered and require long runs (40 to 60+ miles), but they tend to be larger on average — 20 to 35-pound fish are common in the first schools.

Peak Season (Mid-September through October)

This is the window most anglers target. Warm water pushes closer to shore, sometimes bringing albacore within 15 to 25 miles of the harbor. When this happens, even half-day trips can reach the tuna grounds. Schools become more concentrated, and the combination of trolling and live-bait techniques produces fast action. Peak-season trips regularly see limits of 10 fish per angler on good days.

Late Season (November)

As water cools and autumn storms increase, albacore move south and offshore. The fishing becomes less reliable, but opportunistic anglers who watch the weather and sea temperatures can score on stragglers. Late-season fish are often the largest of the year as the bigger specimens linger in productive water.

How to Find Albacore

Albacore relate to water temperature and bait more than bottom structure. The key to finding them is locating the temperature break where warm blue offshore water meets the cooler green coastal water. This transition zone — often visible as a distinct color change on the surface — concentrates baitfish and the tuna that feed on them.

Modern anglers use satellite sea surface temperature (SST) charts, chlorophyll imagery, and fleet reports to narrow the search area before leaving the dock. Once in the zone, trolling at 6 to 8 knots with jigs and feathers covers ground until you locate a biting school. Many charter captains share information through radio networks, and when one boat finds fish, the fleet converges.

Trolling Techniques

Trolling is how you find albacore. Spread four to six rods at varying distances behind the boat using outriggers and flat lines. Standard trolling lures include:

• Feather jigs: The classic albacore trolling lure. Green-and-yellow, blue-and-white, and purple-and-black are proven colors. Run them 30 to 80 feet behind the boat at 6-7 knots.
• Cedar plugs: Natural wood lures that create a wounded baitfish action. Highly effective on the inside spread position, 20 to 40 feet behind the boat.
• Hex heads: Chrome-headed jigs with vinyl skirts. Run these on the outside positions for their wide swimming action.
• Daisy chains: Multiple small teasers ahead of a hooked jig. The chain creates the impression of a bait school, drawing albacore from a wider area.

Live Bait and Chumming

Once you've found fish on the troll, the most productive technique is to stop the boat and switch to live bait. If you've loaded anchovies or sardines from the bait receiver before departure, toss handfuls of bait into the water to create a chum slick. The scent and commotion attract albacore to the boat, sometimes creating a full-blown frenzy at the surface.

Hook a live bait on a 1/0 to 2/0 ringed hook with no weight — you want the bait to swim freely in the chum line. When an albacore takes the bait, let it run for a count of five, then engage the reel and hold on. Albacore make blistering initial runs that can peel 100 yards of line in seconds.

"When the albacore show up close to Monterey, it's the best fishing on the coast. There's nothing like the sound of a reel screaming when a 25-pound albacore turns and runs. Get on the boat when the reports come in — the bite window can open and close in a matter of weeks." — Monterey tuna guide

Tackle for Albacore

• Trolling rods: 6 to 7-foot medium-heavy conventional rods rated for 30-60 lb line
• Live bait rods: 7-foot medium-action conventional or spinning rods for casting bait into the chum line
• Reels: Conventional reels with high line capacity and smooth drags (Penn Fathom, Avet HX, Shimano Torium)
• Line: 40-50 lb braided mainline with 30-40 lb fluorocarbon topshot for live bait, 40-60 lb mono for trolling
• Jigs: If the tuna are deep or finicky, casting iron jigs (Salas, Tady) in 1 to 3-ounce sizes and retrieving with a fast yo-yo technique can trigger strikes

What to Bring on an Albacore Trip

Albacore trips are long-range affairs. Even on good days, you're looking at 8 to 12 hours on the water. Pack accordingly: layered clothing (it's cold on the ride out even in September), a quality rain jacket, sunscreen, lunch and snacks, plenty of water, and seasickness medication if you're prone. Bring a large cooler with ice for the ride home — a limit of 10 albacore produces a significant amount of premium tuna meat. Many anglers vacuum-seal and freeze the fillets the same day, and it's some of the best eating fish you'll find anywhere.

Regulations

Albacore tuna have a generous daily bag limit of 10 fish per angler with no minimum size requirement. No special permits are needed beyond a standard California fishing license. Check CDFW's regulations to confirm current limits.