Nearshore

Yellowtail

Seriola lalandi

Avg. Weight

15.0 lbs

Avg. Length

24+ inches

World Record

80.1 lbs

Found In

7 Destinations

About Yellowtail

California Yellowtail are powerful, fast-swimming amberjacks that patrol the kelp beds, islands, and offshore banks from San Diego to the Channel Islands and beyond. Named for their vivid yellow tail and lateral stripe, yellowtail have a sleek, muscular body built for speed and endurance. They are considered the signature gamefish of Southern California sportfishing, prized for their relentless, tackle-testing fights and excellent firm, white flesh. Yellowtail are the fish that Southern California anglers dream about from January through March, waiting for the first spring arrivals.

Identification & Appearance

Streamlined, torpedo-shaped body with a blue-green back, silver sides, and a prominent bright yellow-gold horizontal stripe running from snout to vivid yellow tail. The second dorsal and anal fins are also yellow. Small, conical teeth in a pointed jaw. Muscular, compact body built for speed and power.

Male vs. Female

Males and females are identical in appearance. Yellowtail can live 12+ years and reach maturity at 2-3 years. They are schooling fish that form large groups around structure, kelp, and bait concentrations.

Size, Weight & Records

Average SoCal catch is 8-15 lbs. Quality yellowtail run 20-30 lbs. Trophy fish exceed 35 lbs. "Mossback" yellowtail over 40 lbs are the ultimate SoCal prize. The all-tackle world record is 114 lbs 10 oz (Yellowtail Amberjack, New Zealand). California-caught fish occasionally reach 50+ lbs.

Seasonal Availability

Peak Season Good Fair Off Season

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Popular Bait & Fishing Methods

Best Techniques

Live bait fishing with sardines, anchovies, or mackerel on a "flyline" (unweighted line with just a hook) is the quintessential SoCal yellowtail technique. Surface iron — casting heavy jigs (Salas 7X, Tady 45) on conventional gear and retrieving fast — is the classic artificial method and produces the most exciting strikes. Yo-yo iron (vertical jigging with heavy spoons) near underwater structure is deadly. Trolling Rapalas and cedar plugs works for covering water. Slow-pitch jigging with specialized flutter jigs is a growing technique.

Recommended Tackle

Medium-heavy conventional rod (6'6"-7'6"), lever-drag reel (Penn Squall, Shimano Trinidad), 30-50 lb mono or 50-65 lb braid, 25-40 lb fluorocarbon leader, 1/0-4/0 ringed hooks for live bait. Surface iron: 8-9 ft heavy "jig stick" rated 30-60 lb, high-speed conventional reel.

Regulations & Bag Limits

California regulations allow 10 yellowtail per person per day with no minimum size limit on most trips. Mexican water regulations (for boats fishing south of the border) differ. Check current CDFW regulations.

Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with your charter captain or state wildlife agency before fishing.