Blue Banks Anchorage

Tackle & technique

Pacific bluefin tuna

Pacific bluefin feed on the offshore banks and around the Channel Islands in water of roughly 62 to 68 degrees, anywhere from the surface to about 300 feet. Find breezing or foaming fish or sonar marks, then fly-line sardines on light fluorocarbon, drop a flat-fall or knife jig to the marks, or fly a kite for the larger fish. Night jigging on overnight trips often outfishes the day.

California yellowtail

Yellowtail school around the offshore islands, banks, high spots and kelp paddies from spring into fall, moving north from Baja as the water warms past about 64 degrees. Fly-line a sardine or mackerel, cast a surface iron to breaking fish, or drop a heavy iron and wind it fast when they hold deep. Heavy line matters because they run straight for kelp and rock.

California halibut

California halibut are ambush feeders that lie on sand or mud bottom, mostly in water shallower than 100 feet and often inside bays, harbors and estuaries. Drift or slow-troll a live anchovy or sardine on a sliding sinker rig, or bounce a swimbait along the bottom over flats, channel edges and sandy areas near structure. Keep the bait within a foot or two of the bottom and give a fish time to turn the bait before setting the hook.