Pacific Coast Sportfishing Magazine

The saltwater fishing magazine for America's West Coast and beyond!

  • Home
  • HOME
  • Menu
    • SUBSCRIBE NOW
    • ABOUT US
    • How To Features
    • Travel Destinations
    • Boats and Electronics
    • CONTACT US
  • MARINE FORECAST
  • Digital MagazineMay 22 cover image
  • SUBSCRIBE
    to the PRINT MAGAZINE
  • Facebook

The 2022 Season Starting Off with a Bang…

Breaking News May 20, 2022

fishing boat being put into the water

So, the fish are showing in good numbers already. The sport boat fleet out of San Diego continues to have great scoreson bluefin from 25-200 pounds. The islands are coming alive with yellowtail, great bass bites, and the white seabass are chewing. We’re hopeful that bonito that showed consistently last year will do it this year as well. The squid havebeen around a bit more than the last couple of years, and that should help the cause.

It’s a great sign to see more of that smaller bluefin mixed in, suggesting a good future for this fishery. Of course, the jumbos are spectacular, but we hope for a long, long life with this new tuna era. As our water cools, we expect more squid and an- chovy to return; that the old So Cal bight will return to what it used to be. To some that sounds terrible, to most of us that grew up on bonito, albacore and barracuda it sounds like paradise.

As we move through spring and into early summer tackle preparation becomes critical. Get out the tackle now before things go crazy and it’s tough to get product. Hit your local tackle store and get hooks, weights, lures, new rod and reel, the things that will be on your list soon but may not be attainable. Make sure any reels that need to be serviced get into the shops quickly. Check your rods for eye damage, or reel seat issues. You do not want to find out there is a drag issue or a cracked eye while fighting the fish of a lifetime this season.

Preventative maintenance with your own vessel is also of utmost importance. If you “wait” for things on your boat or trailer to break, it almost certainly will be at the worst possible time, as in when you’re offshore just short of the area or in the middle of a great bite.

On the other hand, the unforeseen is a reality in a salty world. Boom! The boat won’t start as you try and catch back up to the school. Suddenly, you have to change directions. You’re going to need to be towed in. Did you renew your TowBoat US membership? That’s another consideration here in the early season.

For those of us running boats, now is the time to re- place batteries, check wiring, make some closer (short- er) shakedown trips before you start running full speed offshore. Check, and if needed, replace all your pumps. I normally replace my bait pump every season before we start to get into aserious regimen. If I don’t replace, they tend to break mid-season—virtually every year. As they say, no time better than the present.

Things we don’t use regularly are just the things that should get our close attention now. We should be go- ing through our safety equipment, making sure the flares are up to date, life jackets are in good shape and your EPIRB’s are within date as well. If you have life rafts, check those dates as well. Most of us have ditch bags with hand-held VHF’s, so try them out, get a radio check on all your radios.

If you trailer, do your yearly maintenance today. Check the tires, brakes (and fluids), make sure the bunks are in good shape. Get under there and make sure the bolts are all tight. You don’t want to discover a trailer problem while you’re backing down the ramp, and the radio chatter is on fire.

Get ready because 2022 is going to be another great one!

Filed Under: Breaking News

Fishing is firing full speed…..as long as the wind doesn’t blow

Breaking News May 20, 2022

Bluefin off Ensenada on up to the US Waters…….mostly a night bite on the jigs but there have been some great daytime shots on the kite and spreader bar. The size mix has been amazing with fish as small as 20lbs and up over 200lbs.

Seabass bite has been hit and miss up in the Channel Islands. If you find the squid you may just find the ghosts you are looking for.

Halibut has been as good as it ever has been this last week. Giving most of the guys a back up plan when things are slower on the grounds.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Bluefin, Seabass, and Yellowtail

Breaking News June 10, 2021

The bluefin have been biting really well down outside of Ensenada. These seem to be a different school of larger fish than the first school that was up near San Clemente island.

Channel islands have been kicking out some really good seabass action as well as San Clemente island has had some decent yellowtail fishing on the frontside and around the cove.

Filed Under: Breaking News

221lb Local Cow Caught

Breaking News October 23, 2020

On Tuesday (10-22-19) an angler was called in from a buddy on a hot bite.. he set up a drift and hooked up on a nice cow with a 40 minute fight.. after the battle, they brought it into the IGFA scale in Avalon for an official weight of 221#. Impressive.. I’m sure there’s more than just one cow in these local waters!
Good luck and keep sending us those reports!

Filed Under: Breaking News

406.8 Pound Bluefin

Breaking News October 16, 2020

Congrats to Team Potesta who caught the 406.8 lb Bluefin Tuna. An incredible feat. It was a 1:32 minutes battle on 130 lb braid line.. well done!

Filed Under: Breaking News

Local Big Bluefin 100 to 200 lbs

Breaking News April 27, 2019

Were hearing reports of guys getting into the bigger grade bluefin below the 43.. the ticket has been fly-lining light line.. 30# to 50# test.. and using a small circle hook. Also, the flatfall is seeing good results. Good luck, and keep sending us those reports!

Filed Under: Breaking News

Pacific Coast Sportfishing Tackle, Boat and Travel Show Feb 15,16,17 OC Fair and Event Center

Breaking News February 5, 2019

PCS Tackle, Boat and Travel Show, February 15, 16, 17

It’s that time again! Yes, it is time for the 10th annual Pacific Coast Sportfishing Tackle, Boat and Travel Show. The show will be held at the OC Fair and Event Center for the 10th year straight. Mark down Feb. 15, 16 and 17 with show hours, Friday, 1-7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Once again top tackle dealers from our area showcase the latest and greatest. They will have some of the best deals of the year, and our show is the first opportunity you have to take advantage of them. Also, some of the top fishing boat brands—such as Grady White and Parker Boats and many more—unveil their new models. If you are looking to travel, we have you covered with prime destinations from Tropic Star Lodge in Panama to Mexico, Alaska and British Columbia. Bring the family as there will again be a free, kids-only trout pond in the building!

Our seminars continue to be the most in–depth on the West Coast. A sampling of what will be on tap follows. “Top Four Orange County Coastal Hot Spots,” with longtime local experts dishing out the goods and covering the whole gamut of opportunities. Learn from top captains Dave Hansen and Jamie Thinnes where to consistently catch coastal fish. From the tackle to the specific numbers, they will dial you in. Be ready to take your shot at some of our largest homeguard yellowtail as well as some huge white seabass from these spots.

Another great topic, and one you won’t want to miss, will be the “Running and Gunning Yellowtail.” This is a tried and true technique, but not many have mastered it. Captain Todd Mansur, Jimmy Decker and Erik Landesfeind will walk you through the process that will change the way you score these jacks. These last few years have turned out some epic surface action on yellowtail from the coast to the islands. Up your game!

One of the show favorites is always the Catalina Island seminar focused on catching exotics, from yellowtail to white seabass. Captains Joe Barian and Mark Wisch will teach you what times of the year to head out, what spots to focus on and how to increase your odds of going home with a bag of exotics. They will be walking you through the step-by-step process of turning a trip to Catalina from a bass day to an exotics day. Use specific spots, techniques and tackle tips to change your outlook on fishing the nearby island and coming home with the goods.

Captain Billy Keleman will be giving up some of the hottest tips that helped him to bag a grip of big bluefin this year. There is so much intel here, Saturday with a Part 1 and Sunday with a Part 2. Keleman will be covering tips and tactics on using the frozen flying fish via the kite and helium balloons. Captain Billy put his customers on over 30 cow bluefin in the 2018 season and helped countless others accomplish this goal on their private boats. There were small but critical details that made his year extremely successful getting on the fish when most could not figure out where they were.

Traeger is once again sponsoring us with Pellet Grills to give away each evening, Friday at 6:15 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. You must be present to win. We will also be giving away a free beer to the first 50 through the door each day (21 years of age and over only). The first five will receive a pair of polarized Bomber Glasses, and there will be many more giveaways each opening.

Get ready to enjoy a sportfishing show that is for you, the Southern California angler! For more information, visit us online at www.sportfishingfestival.com.

Filed Under: Breaking News Tagged With: boat show, fishing, oc fair and event center, Sportfishing, Sportfishing Show

December Bluefin

Breaking News December 11, 2018

Here we are in December and the bluefin are still biting for the guys who want to make the trek out to the 60 mile bank, and anchor up on the high spot. The morning bite has been producing the best results, but pay attention to the slack tides too! These fish are anywhere between 10-40lbs, with the occasional giants coming through. The hot bite has been on 15-30lb fluoro with 2/0 circle hook using live squid or fin bait. The flat fall jig has also been doing well in the early morning.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Giant Bluefin At The Backside of Catalina

Breaking News August 21, 2018

Lots of reports have been coming in from guys scoring giant bluefin being caught behind Catalina.. even some over 300lbs.. this is world class sportfishing in our own backyard at its best! The go to bait has been skipping yummy flyers from a kite around 7 knots, or using a 280 gm Flat Fall jig.. BUT now guys are seeing a lot of success using a rigged “frozen flyer” attached to a helium filled balloon and drifting. Good luck out there, and keep sending us those reports!

Filed Under: Breaking News

The Red Rooster lll Scored Some Nice Bluefin

Breaking News March 20, 2018

They got on them pretty good today with the three biggest going 190lbs, 204lbs, 207 lbs. They were roughly 180 miles below San Diego!

Filed Under: Breaking News

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

More Articles

fishing boat being put into the water

The 2022 Season Starting Off with a Bang…

So, the fish are showing in good numbers already. The sport boat fleet out of … [Read More...] about The 2022 Season Starting Off with a Bang…

Fishing is firing full speed…..as long as the wind doesn’t blow

Bluefin off Ensenada on up to the US Waters.......mostly a night bite on the … [Read More...] about Fishing is firing full speed…..as long as the wind doesn’t blow

Dial up the action, turn up the commotion…..

Every few years a new technique comes along that changes the way we fish on the … [Read More...] about Dial up the action, turn up the commotion…..

Its Real that Downrigger Thing

From flatfalls to poppers to squid bars and even deep dropping for swords, there … [Read More...] about Its Real that Downrigger Thing

Tuna Can by ACI Boats

A Navy flattop bristling with fighter jets glided into San Diego Bay on a rare … [Read More...] about Tuna Can by ACI Boats

Black Box Style Electronics

Black box boat electronics give you big-boat electronics with a small-boat … [Read More...] about Black Box Style Electronics

  • Towers and Rocket Launchers
  • A Boys’ Trip to Sitka
  • SoCal Swordfish Revisited
  • Understanding Multi-day Bag Limits
  • Chasing Ghosts on Fin Bait with Mackerel in the Tank, Treat Seabass to Ham & Eggs
  • Wahooooo
  • Bertram 35 A storied design reaches new heights
  • Giant Bluefin Tuna: The True King of Game Fish
  • Bluefin, Seabass, and Yellowtail
  • Dream Trip Aboard the Intrepid
  • Finding & Patterning Coastal Yellowtail
  • Tuna on the Tanner
  • 221lb Local Cow Caught
  • 406.8 Pound Bluefin
  • Yellowfin & Bluefin coming up the line!
  • Newport Reef – Seabass & T-Sharks
  • Interview with Daniel Spencer on the new 62′
  • February Bluefin Off Newport!
  • Local Broadbill On The Bite
  • Lobster Season Opener
Download our app

Site Map

  • Here’s Where I Would Go Today
  • How To Features
  • Download 2022 Media Kit

 

  • CONTACT US
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Privacy Policy

Categories

  • Here’s Where I Would Go Today
  • How To Features
  • Travel Destinations
  • Boats and Electronics
  • Breaking News

© 2022 Pacific Coast Sportfishing Magazine. All rights reserved.

web design by sleinen | Log in