Yellowtail (hamachi)

The half day boats went out looking for meter marks and the yellows they found earlier this week and picked a few. Thus, the low counts on rockfish and such. They're around and up and down the line. If you want to target the hamachi, your best bet is an Island trip, just about any Island you can get to. The Channels are producing, and south to San Martin and the Baja coast are doing well. The 3/4 day boats going to the Coronados are responsible for the majority of yellowtail the last two days.

Boats will be heading out to the Tanner looking for the bluefin; I know there are spots available. Check the Tribute and the Oceanside 95 in

your search.

January 14 dock totals

H&M Landing 20 Anglers, 1 Boat, 2 Lingcod, 192 Rockfish, 6 Whitefish

Helgren's Oceanside Sportfishing 13 Anglers, 1 Boat, 3 Yellowtail

Seaforth Sportfishing 46 Anglers, 3 Boats, 1 White Seabass, 1 Sculpin, 93 Yellowtail

January 15 dock totals

The Mission Belle 3/4 Day Coronado Island run with 14 anglers aboard did well, returning with 2 rockfish, 1 California halibut, 1 kelp bass and 22 California yellowtail. On the other hand, the New Seaforth 1/2 Day PM run with 18 Anglers aboard gambled and searched hard for the yellows instead of posting up on the anchor. They caught 1 Pacific bonito, 2 California yellowtail and 1 sculpin.

33 Anglers aboard the Premier 1/2 Day AM elected instead to anchor up and boated 16 ocean whitefish, 250 rockfish and 1 lingcod

So, with the white seabass and yellowtail popping up in numbers here and there within 10 miles of town, the half-day boats will be tempted to look. Just like when the yellowfin came to town last summer/fall. Generally, unless the captain has solid info and in such times, it's a democratic thing. When the odds are good of loading up on some glamour fish for a 50-dollar ride, one may end up going on a 5-hour boat tour. So if you wish to chase the yellows or just post up on the anchor and hope for a big 'un while you get some freezer-filling rockfish, make sure that's the trip you are on. I know the crews depend on good service, a good catch, fish cleaning, and tips to survive so they are always going to try to put you on the best fishing they can in the time they have.