Best of 2003: Best Locally Swimming Fish To Eat

San Diego Sportfishing Council
2171 India Street, Midtown
www.sportfishing.org
619-234-8791

Drum roll please...San Diego's best tenderloin of the sea: the Pacific yellowfin. These cigar-shaped tuna cruise up and down past San Diego at least half the year, sometimes farther out than others. Take a one- or two-day trip. But be warned: they are big -- from 60 to 450 pounds -- so fishing for yellowfin can be hard work. Plus, it's long-line fishing (read The Perfect Storm). Most San Diego restaurants serve fresh yellowfin in season. Of course, closer to shore, we're talking perfectly good eats with kelp bass and sand bass. And if you just feel like standing on the beach -- say Ocean Beach or Imperial Beach -- and hauling in an easy dinner, toss your line into the surf for the halibut.