Author: BD STAFF

Catalina Island. A backyard adventure paradise that lies just 25 miles off Southern California’s coastal shores. We explore the angling and adventure rich opportunities this offshore island offers up. Join in on the adventure asBD Outdoors Contributor , links up with Catalina local and all-around badass water woman – Capt. Shaina Cox to get rundown on some of the favorite to-do’s around the island. Fishing. Diving. Exploring all the on-water hotspots as well as some of the hidden gems that can be found. Thanks to our partners at YETI that build the bags and gear that enable to explore our…

Join us for the screening of AFTCO’s film “Year of the Bluefin” and roundtable discussion with Avalon Tuna Club member Greg Stotesbury, AFTCO Pro Team member Ryan Griffin, and Local Knowledge host Ali Hussainy. We’ll be discussing behind-the-scenes elements from the film, getting into fishing techniques and the science of the fishery. Toward the end of the discussion, we’ll open the floor to any questions or comments you might have. The event starts with the video screening at 6 pm PT with a roundtable discussion and live Q&A session to follow. Join us for the live stream event at https://aftco.bdoutdoors.com from…

With less than four weeks before the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is set to determine the fate of 174 commercial passenger boat owners, the Sportfishing Association of California and the Golden Gate Fishermen’s Association announced that 27 chambers of commerce and tourism authorities, representing nearly every coastal community from San Diego to the Oregon border, have joined a coalition in defense of commercial passenger boat owners. The business coalition includes the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Travel Association, the National Federation of Independent Business, the RV Park and Campgrounds Alliance and the California Parks Hospitality Association. In their…

We asked: “How Do You Gulp!?”. You answered. So we wanted to share your submissions and your catches with your go-to Gulp! BIG CONGRATS to our How Do You Gulp!? winner – Adolph Romero. “Big thank you to Ali and all others at bloody decks! It is very much appreciated and I’m loaded up with gulp for a while. I’m a long time fan and supporter and just wanted to again say thank you!”

For the 20th time in the 41-year history of the event, the Bisbee BLACK and BLUE wrote a check for over $1,000,000! Team BRANIFF, FIRST TIME WINNER aboard the 58′ Dona Homa, with Captain Lupe at the wheel and angler Andres Pineda on the rod, caught what turned out to be the largest fish during the event – a 489-pound blue marlin earning the Team $1,134,350. The total Jackpot is an enormous $9,725,000, a massive increase of 76% from the prior year, the highest amount ever recorded in a single year in the history of the Money Sportfishing Tournaments on…

Offshore Lifestyle is stoked to launch a limited-edition Igloo Playmate Cooler today.  Yeww!  These coolers that have a 7-quart capacity and fit up to nine 12-ounce cans are available on offshorelifestyle.com today, for $40, while supplies last. Designed to capture the stoke felt during a great day of Offshore tuna fishing, the Offshore Lifestyle Igloo Playmate Pal features Yewws and Brews artwork on the cooler’s tent-top.  Yeww, is the sound of stoke – it’s a hoot yelled out when your buddy catches a big fish or surfs a great wave.  When it’s time to celebrate, this cooler is ready with…

Seaguar Leader Logic: BD Pro Team Outlines What + When + How We Rig Our Go-To Offshore Setups BD Outdoors Contributor breaks down his Top 5 go-to offshore fishing setups for fishing here in Southern California. Specifically, he runs through how each one is rigged and leader selection for chasing local pelagic gamefish. Seaguar Gold Label & Blue Label leader selection Top 5 Fishing Setups Breakdown: Kelp Paddy Setup: 15-25lbs. Seaguar Gold Label + 8′ Seeker SS-980 + Accurate Tern 400x Live Bait Setup: 30-40lbs. Seaguar Gold Label + 7′ Seeker G-670 + Shimano Talica 10 Heavy Live Bait Setup:…

Next month the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) will host the inaugural IGFA SoCal Swordfish Open in the famed waters off Southern California, celebrating both an iconic game fish and fishery. With the swordfish bite already starting to heat up, the action should be in full swing come tournament time. The fishing days for the IGFA SoCal Swordfish Open will be Friday, November 12th and Saturday, November 13th. The awards ceremony will take place mid-day on Sunday, November 14th at the Dana Point Yacht Club. The inaugural, two-day tournament will require strict adherence to IGFA Angling Rules and will have…

On October 7th, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 817, first introduced by Assembly member Jim Wood, which is set out to transition California’s calendar-based fishing license to one that is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. The bill also includes a mobile application designed to make fishing easier, more accessible, and an electronic fishing license. Since 1980, annual resident sport fishing license sales have declined 55 percent while the state’s population has increased over 60 percent. While California has a population of more than 39.8 million people, one of the country’s longest coastlines, more than…

CCA California Set to Recognize Sportfishing Legend Don Hansen with Its Highest Honor: The 2021 Anthony Hsieh Conservation Award Honoring California’s Pioneering Founder of Dana Wharf Sportfishing Will Highlight an Evening of Festivities at the CCA CAL’s Orange County Chapter Banquet, October 29, at the Costa Mesa Country Club September 21st, 2021: The Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA CAL) will honor the pioneering founder of Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Don Hansen, during the CCA CAL Orange County chapter banquet on the evening of October 29 at the Costa Mesa Country Club. CCA CAL will present Hansen with the organization’s highest honor,…

Check out these new Dexter + Guy Harvey knives! The Guy Harvey 8″ wide stiff + Guy Harvey 8″ flexible fillet knives, both with unique blue SOFGRIP handles. One of the coolest parts of this collaboration, is that a portion of the sales goes to the Guy Harvey Foundation, focused on ocean conservation. Guy Harvey is an absolute staple of the industry, well known artist, and huge conservationist! Check out the Guy Harvey Collection on the Dexter Outdoors website. Check out more information on Dexter Outdoors on BD.

The Mag Darter, whether chasing Calico & Yellowtail at the islands or hunting pelagics offshore, the Darter has Southern California anglers covered. BD Outdoors Contributor breaks down the unique features, applications, and techniques for fishing the Mag Darter. As the name implies, what separates this is lure from a more traditional stickbait is its unique slanted face that creates the darting action that fish find irresistible. Ton of applications. One of my favorite ways to use this is on kelp paddies. Yellowtail. Dorado. They really love it, the tuna will bite this too. A really really good bait that we’re…

We are so stoked to announce the winner of our Race to La Paz dream fishing trip giveaway – Devon Allen! We can’t wait to see you down there Devon and we have a sneaky feeling you’re going to be showing us a few fishing tricks or two! Check out some of Devon’s catches, included her son’s legendary So-Cal surface swordfish catch (read here!) from a couple seasons ago. A HUGE thank you to all of you who registered for the Race to La Paz giveaway and of course all of our sponsors who make this whole trip possible!

New optical collection features customizable clear lenses for superior clarity all day, every day – because not every adventure takes place under the harsh sun. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 23, 2021) – Since 1983, Costa Sunglasses has built a reputation for creating the highest quality, best-performing sunglasses for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts – but Costa knows that not every adventure takes place in the light of day. Costa Clear, the brand’s latest collection of single vision and progressive optical lenses, answers the call for clear vision all day, every day. The collection of three single vision (Essential, Waypoint, Waypoint Plus) and four…

The Mag Popper, a tried and true topwater popper lure around the world. BD Outdoors Contributor breaks down the different sizes, applications and techniques for fishing the Mag Popper here in Southern California. One of our go-to lures for “foamer fishing” bluefin and yellowfin tuna. The popper is just so much fun for me. It’s an absolute adrenaline rush right? You’re seeing the bite, it’s on the surface. It’s high stakes – high rewards. It’s super fun. There’s something about seeing that bite that really really brings me back and is such an adrenaline rush. BAIT STATS:Action: Top water PopperBody:…

Most anglers, chefs, and sportsmen are very familiar with Dexter Outdoors and their quality knives built for a myriad of cutting chores. And I would dare to say that all fishermen are familiar with the famous marine artist, angler, and ocean conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey! That’s why we would expect nothing less than spectacular from a collaboration of these two famous forces in the fishing world! Introducing the Guy Harvey Fillet Knife Collection from Dexter Outdoors. Two of Dexter’s most popular fillet knives have been taken to a new level and adorned with Guy Harvey art on the blade and…

Dan Funke is back to show us the basics of rigging live Pacific Chub Mackerel. Dan works as a deckhand for one of the most reputable four-pack charters in San Diego, PINNACLE SPORTFISHING. They are focused on targeting Southern California’s prevalent larger gamefish which encompasses: Bluefin Tuna, Yellowtail, Yellowfin, White Sea Bass, Dorado, and more. Chub Mackerel along with Sardine comprise the predominant baitfish source for most Southern California fishermen. Sardines are regularly available at our local bait barge (www.everinghambros.com) and usually do the trick to entice most gamefish in this area. Sometimes though the targeted species do become finicky…