Species guide · California
California yellowtail fishing in California
Seriola dorsalis, a pelagic species also called yellowtail, yellow and forktail. Listed for the Southern California region. Peak season, about 2 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island at 79, one of 4 California bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Southern California
Peak season, about 2 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Off season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Jul to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): May to Oct.
Research notes, Southern California region
CPFV landings 2000-2021: August 25%, July 19%, September 18%, October 12%, June 10%, May 6%, and under 4% each month November through April. Most CPFV yellowtail come from Catalina, San Clemente, Anacapa and the Coronado Islands. Catches swing hard with water temperature: warm and El Nino years bring big runs and some fish stay year-round, cool years produce few fish. Anglers also report a spring yo-yo iron bite on larger fish at the islands in some years.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 4
California bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's california yellowtail score this hour.
Best window today 5-8 PM (79) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (79) · 17 named spots
Best window today 5-8 PM (79) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (79) · 9 named spots
Best window today 5-8 PM (79) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (79) · 61 named spots
Best window today 5-8 PM (76) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 5 PM (76) · 117 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 60°F to 78°F, best between 64°F and 72°F.
- Water depth
- 20 to 3000 ft of water.
- Structure
- Bank, kelp, pinnacle, reef, point and open water, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with moderate current.Tide stage has little effect offshore. Island and bank fish bite best when current is running over the high spots and bait is pushed up; dead water usually means a slow bite.
- Light
- Bites best around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 6 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
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.
- Methods
- surface iron casting, yo-yo jigging, fly-lining live bait, trolling, kelp paddy fishing
- Lures
- surface irons, heavy yo-yo irons, swimbaits, trolled feathers and plugs
- Bait
- live sardine, live chub mackerel, live squid, live anchovy
Regulations
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Sep 16, 2026.
No reviewed california yellowtail rule for California is on file yet. Check with CDFW before you keep one.