Tuna Fishing California: 2020 Bluefin Tuna Season In San Diego

This nice bluefin was caught on 2.17.2020! First time in a long time that decent numbers showed this early.

Things are getting hot!

The 2020 Southern California Tuna Season has come early this year! Not a wide-open-limit type bite, mind you, but a scattered and school sized assortment of Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, and Yellowtail are definitely here early this year! As you can see by the picture above, mixed in are a few larger quality fish. The bite is inconsistent and mobile, but none the less, this is the earliest I have seen Yellowfin Tuna in California waters since the last El Nino of 2016. Is 2020 going to be another El Nino year for fishing? The predictions all indicate that it is

This water temperature chart shows what an El Nino can do. Fishing is always better in these years. (From Wikipedia).

In fact, 2019 was the second hottest year on record (in the history of history) and 2020 could be even hotter! If this season gets another El Nino weather phenomenon that hits like it did 2014-2016, then we will most likely have a very early, very strong, and long lasting tuna season. What does that mean for the fishing industry as a whole? We have never had past data to compare with the recent warming trends. Literally, its never been hotter, so it is hard to predict, we are in unknown waters. It will be likely good for fishing around Socal, in the short term, but if temperatures keep going up and up every year, who knows where things will be in ten years from now. Consistent high temperatures increasing yearly will eventually harm the Tuna fishery. Some indicators are the early appearance of Yellowfin Tuna and Bluefin Tuna. Usually, the bite is around May or June (like last year).

To check price and availability on any of the trips or boats mentioned in this article, please click here.

The owner/operator of the Easter B out of H&M Landing patiently waits for a yellow tail bite on a patty, somewhere in Mexican Waters.

When will the fish get here and how long is tuna season?

To answer that question, we need to ask a question. What temperature range to our target fish like? Once we know this we can make an educated guess of the arrival date by predicting water temps. Everyone has their own opinion on this one, but here is mine.

Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin fishing is the pinnacle of Southern California sportfishing (and arguably the world) for its pure brute strength and incredibly tasty table fare. Favoring water temps around 60-72 degrees, this broader spectrum of temperature flexibility allows this fish to bite nearly year round. However, the general season usually starts in March and goes through October. However, this year, our fleet started seeing them show in decent numbers up as recent as February 20th! This is very rare.

The schools of Bluefin Tuna are most likely being hearded north by a greater supply of food, appearing abnormally earlier in the year, coupled with higher than average water temps. The big blues are chasing anchovies, flying fish, squid, mackerel, and many of their other favorites every to the North, closer to us. The big question remains, when will the main large schools arrive, bringing with them limits? If I had to guess, I would say we will start seeing the main bite arriving right at the start of March!

Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin Tuna make up the bulk of fish caught during the average San Diego Tuna fishing season. With higher limits and far more availability than Bluefin Tuna, Yellowtail, and Dorado (Mahi Mahi) combined. When you find a hungry school of Yellowtail it is not that hard to limit out in a few hours. Yellowfin Tuna prefer water temps 72 and 82 degrees, and the season usually starts in July and runs through October. As of right now though, there are yellowtail within striking distance of San Diego with as little as a 24 hour trip on one of the faster private charter boats out of San Diego.

Right now, about 90 miles south of the border, they are already seeing solid sign and already Yellowfin Tuna have been bagged in U.S. waters this year. My prediction for this year is that Yellowtail will make an early appearance at the start of June, an entire month early.

Dorado (Mahi Mahi)

72 to 78 degrees is the favorite temp of this multi-colored favorite. Honestly, Dorado (otherwise known as Dolphin fish, or Mahi Mahi) have been on the decline. Only five years ago I remember catching Dorado quite often and they were almost always mixed in with the yellowtail and Yellowfin Tuna, right under the patty. The last three years I have definitely noticed the absence of one of my favorite fish. An active fighter, and pound for pound a great sport fish.

Known for the acrobatic display and airborne antics, this fish is defintely not one you will forget catching. Mexican waters have been the only respite for the Dorado, as significantly less fishing and boat pressure allow the fish some privacy. My prediction for Dorado, is that they will be rare this year in U.S. waters, and anglers seeking this fish are still best to head as far south as you can.

Yellowtail

Yellow tail generally prefer a bit colder temp at around 62-70 degrees and therefore many stay year round, however a large percentage still migrate either completely or partially down the Baja coast. Yellow tail fishing off of southern California is usually good between late spring and early summer but often reaches its peak during late summer and early fall. This is when the water temp most favors this local favorite. This year however, the Yellow Tail bite is already picking up, and its not even March yet! Lately there have been a lot of yellow tail caught off the south 9 and the Coronado Islands in Mexico.

If you wanted to target this fish, your best bet is to head just south of the border, only 15 miles from the harbor mouth to the Coronado Islands. Occasional yellowtail activity has also been found over the past couple of weeks near the upper end of La Jolla, the area below the MLPA closure zone off the lower end of La Jolla, Mission Beach, Mission Bay, Point Loma College, the Green Tank the Whistler Buoy off Point Loma.

Here is a list of boats that can put you on this bite.

Final thoughts on the upcoming 2020 Southern California Tuna Season

Overall, everything is going to start earlier than usual, get busy and stay busy, and finally hold out most sportfishing a month or two later than usual (yellowtail in September, October even?) The evidence is clear, global climate change is here to stay, and fishing will benefit from this, in the short term. I look toward the future of our sport with a wary eye. Regardless of the reasons, the upward spike in ocean temperatures is alarming. I would like my sport and my profession to be handed down to my kids, in the same condition I found it. I am hopeful, as the world is beginning to see the peril of global warming, and we are all finally willing to take action.

Until next time, tight lines and calm seas!