Author: BD STAFF

Dan Funke works as a deckhand for one of the most reputable four-pack charters in San Diego, PINNACLE SPORTFISHING. Their success rate is astonishing and puts them way outside of the parameters of being lucky. For the last several years Southern California has been blessed to have a continual migration of Pacific Bluefin Tuna at their doorstep. Dan Funke is one of the many anglers in Southern California that has made an art out of rigging and instilling new techniques in pursuit of these gamefish. Big fish like big baits, in this clip Dan walks us through rigging a flying…

Most outdoorsmen have their favorite local gas station where they regularly fuel up their cars, SUVs, and tow vehicles. And the same goes for filling up their boats, whether they keep them on a trailer or in the marina — where they often strike up a relationship with the local fuel dock. They do this because they trust the gasoline brand in general and the station in particular. They trust that the gasoline will be high-quality, TOP-TIER™ fuel that is fresh and uncontaminated and will deliver the rated octane they paid for. This is particularly important for the costly, high-performance…

In my youth the Guinness Book of WORLD RECORDS captivated me, I’d marvel at the pages of impossible feats and natural oddities. As I aged in years my infatuation with fishing grew to the obsession it is today, and similarly, I’m still attracted by records, but now it’s based on the size of fish caught, line class, and locations. The documentation of special moments within the angling world and the ability of nature to surprise us by nullifying what we thought was normal intrigues me. Often these special moments are recorded and documented by IGFA (International Game Fishing Association). While…

Make plans to take the kids fishing at Lake Cuyamaca’s “O.P. Ball Fishin’ in the Pines” kids derby! After a brief interruption, the Annual O.P. Ball Fishin in the Pines Derby will continue with its 21st year. The event will take place on September 25th, 2021 for a one-day, free fishing tournament with fun and prizes for anglers of all ages. Bring the kids to Lake Cuyamaca on September 25th for the Free Kids Fishing Derby. The fishing starts at 6 AM. Kids ages 3 to15 will fish free and lunch will be provided by the San Diego Anglers. There…

La Paz, Baja CA, is situated 100 miles Northeast of its kin, Cabo San Lucas, close in proximity but a world away. Unlike Cabo, La Paz is not known for the hustle and bustle and is considered a low-key city that moves at a slower pace while adorned with the finer things in life. Culturally it has more connectivity to its roots and less influence from larger metropolitan cities, which is exactly the attraction to this locale. It’s a place that eases you into the lifestyle and incorporates you into the culture. While any research into fishing in La Paz…

100% of profits from purchases will be donated to the IGFA Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund (WARF) SANTA ANA, Ca., September 7 – 8, 2021 — AFTCO and Marsh Wear partner with the IGFA Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund (WARF) and Costa Sunglasses to support fishing guides affected by Hurricane Ida in coastal Louisiana. On September 7th, 2021, 100% of profits from all purchases made on marshwearclothing.com will be donated to WARF and on September 8th, 2021, 100% of profits from all purchases made on aftco.com will be donated to WARF. The Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund (WARF) was created by the IGFA…

Something’s Fishy in Westport, Washington – The 13th Washington Tuna (albacore) Classic Delivers!  After traveling across the U.S. from one coast to another to attend this year’s WTC event, “Fly” Navarro, owner of “Fly Zone,” and publisher of “Catch 2020,” highlighting 60 of the best saltwater inshore, offshore, and freshwater tournaments in the Americas, observed, “What an event!”  “I have never been involved in an albacore fishing tournament hosted by such an immense gathering of families and friends that have come together to host U.S. Armed Service veterans that turned out as exciting as this one,” he concluded. Fly looked on as approximately 230…

The nationwide 30 x 30 effort to conserve at least 30 percent of America’s land, freshwater, and ocean areas by 2030 is elevating the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) conversation across the U.S. We here in California have been dealing with the challenges of MPAs for years as elements of the environmental community have long focused their efforts here. Now the rest of the country can learn from the misinformation and mishandling of MPAs in California. MPA enthusiasts have spent hundreds of millions of dollars funding and promoting science with a preservationist perspective in order to support their pro-MPA beliefs. The…

Dexter Outdoors Great American Fillet Challenge is in full swing!! As are things at Five Star Fish Processing in San Diego California. Marco runs us through the steps of breaking down a locally caught Pacific bluefin tuna. Submit your fillet video for a chance to win a killer set of Dexter fillet knives and sharpener package!

John & Josh from Fish 101 in Encinitas CA. walk us through breaking down a locally caught California yellowtail. Yellowtail are one of the hardest fighting fish in the Southern California Bight and make for excellent table fare. Thanks to Dexter Knives for the providing the quality tools that get the job done!

John & Josh from Fish 101 in Encinitas CA. walk us through breaking down a Pacific bluefin tuna caught just offshore San Diego California. Bluefin is notoriously one of the most sought after gamefish in our water, largely due to it’s incredible sushi quality. Thanks to Dexter Knives for the providing the quality tools that get the job done!

Presented by Costa – In Case You Missed It! Southern California bass fishing, a staple of our fishery for beginners “Cutting Your Teeth” to seasoned tournament vets. Our coasts and islands are ripe with saltwater bass fishing opportunities. So tune in as we talk to Pros Erik Landesfiend, Jimmy Decker, and Matt Moyer to help step up your bass game. From go-to lures to water conditions to gear to their tips for beginners just getting started! A special thank you to our partners at Costa!

You ever hear the saying “Elephants eat peanuts”? I can’t think of a more appropriate term to describe what has been going in SoCal waters for the last 5 or so years. While we have been blessed with truly historic amounts of bluefin and yellowfin tuna, the same thing that brought them here has been the same thing that makes them so frustrating to target. These fish have come to our waters to gorge themselves 4” pencil size anchovies that are all over our waters in mega tonnage numbers. The result is acres and acres of “foaming” tuna absolutely demolishing…

The recent influx of big tuna to Southern California waters has prompted many new techniques and rigs that aim directly at putting these pelagic gamefish on the boat. One of the more popular ways to target these fish is by way of “flat fall” style lure. These metal lures range in size from 60 grams all the way to a whopping 400 grams, and are designed to mimic a wounded baitfish and flutter and swing action. This erratic fall combined with the flash of a foil finish or glow paint has proven irresistible to tuna of all sizes and especially…

When it comes to fuel additives, the experts at Techron hear all kinds of questions from boaters. One of the biggest areas of concern? Whether an every-tankful-additive such as Techron Marine Fuel System Treatment will actually benefit their boat’s engine and fuel system. And perhaps even more importantly, they wonder whether using an additive such as Techron Marine could possibly harm their boat’s outboard or inboard gasoline engines, or create potential warranty coverage issues with their manufacturer or dealer in the event that repairs are needed. The fact that these questions arise makes perfect sense. Spend a day at any…

Tips From The Fuel Experts at Techron Marine It’s no secret that one of the biggest expenses for boating anglers today is the cost of filling up the boat with gasoline. With fuel prices now well north of $4 per gallon in California and some other states, topping off a typical center console’s 140-gallon tank carries a stiff price tag. And if you keep your boat in the water and have to fill up at marina fuel docks, you can expect those fuel costs to be even higher. It’s almost enough to make you reconsider the long run offshore in…

The crew at American Tackle, makers of quality rod components, have been listening to anglers like you who needed an unlimited, heavy-duty rod guide made to withstand any punishment that a big fish can dish out. The solid titanium Virtus XHD guide and tops were born from this need and the Black Titan Set is all you need to build one tough rod. Whether you want to lay it on the rail or put it in the harness, the heavy-duty Black Titan guide set will ensure that you are prepared for the toughest battles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdbzcKBUpsc Black Titan Features Black Titanium…

Calling all offshore anglers in SoCal! Show us your most memorable photo or video of a local foamer of tuna and you will be entered to win one of three Yo-Zuri Popper Prize Packs. The bluefin in SoCal waters continues to have everyone chasing tuna. The stunning visuals of a hungry school of tuna have anglers reaching for their camera along with their rods. We want to see what you captured from this ongoing epic bluefin binge! Click Here to go to the contest and enter your photo or video clip.

Jig fishing with metal jigs is nothing new in the world of fishing, but fishing metal jigs for a huge variety of species has become a craze in the last few years. Anglers are gearing up with highly technical, scaled-down gear and high-end jigs built for very specific conditions and techniques. Slow-pitch jigging is one of these technical styles that has really caught the attention of anglers all over the world. There are two main reasons: It’s effective, and it’s really fun! In Japan, anglers and jig makers have shared a rich history together. Sea Falcon jigs have been a…