Author: BD STAFF

On a recent trip, we were able to jump on with Christian Sekas from Sekas Sportfishing. I came equipped with just about every method to rig a squid from dropper loop, fly line, balloon rigs, and anything else you can think of. Christian was quick to help me simplify my approach and while all the above methods have their time and place for application for us we stripped down our presentation to just using a leadhead with squid approach. Leading edge, the side of the Kelp Bed that current is hitting first. As I said above different conditions and structures…

Sportboat Roundup! This week Tonie shares some insight on how we can approach picky bluefin. From talking to the deckhands, to changing your presentation, she goes over some of the most important aspects that will help you get a bite on your next trip! ABOUT TONIE BANGOS Tonie Bangos works aboard the Grande and is a seasoned angler who brings us weekly updates which include reports, tips, and the most current information about what’s working in the SoCal fishery.⁠

Southern California’s back bay fisheries, presented by Rapala

For us as anglers’ sight is a huge component of our endeavor. The ability to read the ocean and life around us is an essential component of locating our quarry. At harm’s way are our eyes and something we never leave the dock without is sun protection, but not all protective eyewear is created equal and that’s where SPY Optics comes into the equation. Never satisfied with the standard SPY Optics has gone above and beyond to create the ultimate sunglass to enhance those days on the water, while protecting our eyes from harmful rays from the sun with the…

In this week’s Sportboat Roundup, Tonie reports on some phenomenal fishing that has been taking place over the past week. Almost all the boats in the fleet have been coming home with full or near full RSW’s and the grade of fish has been extremely impressive. In addition to her report, Tonie also shares some tips for us to keep in mind when we get into hectic situations where the bite is full speed and the deckhands need everyone on the boat cooperating together. She shares some trip options coming up for anyone looking to get in on the action…

This week the name of the game is Start and Stop, with light winds mid-week transitioning to blown out conditions into the weekend. Erik walks us through the current weather pattern and what’s to be expected. On a positive, the Bluefin Tuna fishing has been good to great, so if you’re getting on a local sportboat your chances are looking good. About Erik Landesfeind Since getting his start working as a deckhand on a ¾ day boat in the 1980s, Erik Landesfeind has spent the last 35 years fishing the waters off Southern California and Baja. Taking what he’d learned…

It’s always nice when we get a report from one of the Captains we work with followed by a phone call pleading to get down to their area to fish because the fishing’s on fire. Well, that’s exactly the scenario with Chris Britton from Grey Ghost Charters this week. Chris is jumping out of his skin to get on the water, according to him the fishing has completely switched modes and it’s biting. It’s not just biting but he’s seeing catches in the size of large and extra-large offshore with Dolphin, King Mackeral, and Blackfin Tuna taking center stage. If…

The Port of San Diego has been working with San Diego Sportfishing and other neighboring businesses to address parking policy, add more parking spaces, and streamline the time it takes to exit the parking lot. SPORTFISHING PARKING RATES WILL REMAIN THE SAME!  ONLY THE PROCESS HAS CHANGED. This payment process will reduce the number of vehicles that are left for long periods or abandoned in our lots.  This alone will create more opportunities for sportfishing customers. ANGLERS MAY DOWNLOAD THE ACE PARKING APP BEFORE ARRIVAL. Payment may now be made via pay machines or the online app, using a credit…

Southern California’s surf is filled with life, but did you know that oftentimes fish will cruise around in ankle-deep water? This zone is what we surf anglers refer to as the “skinny” or the “skinny water”. I also like to call it the shallows or “the ultra-shallow waters”. The bottom line, a few local species spend a lot of time in the same depth of water where many people stand. In fact, if you fish the surf enough during the summer months, it won’t take long for a fish to bump right into your ankles as a wave rolls onto…

The weather is certainly going to play a factor in the coming days and into early next week, but there is certainly still fish to be had all throughout the Southern California Bight. Check out Erik’s SoCal Bight recap to get the scoop on what’s been going on, as well as some recommendations on fishing topwater bluefin tuna! About Erik Landesfeind Since getting his start working as a deckhand on a ¾ day boat in the 1980s, Erik Landesfeind has spent the last 35 years fishing the waters off Southern California and Baja. Taking what he’d learned during his years…

Welcome back to another Sportboat Roundup with Tonie! This week Tonie reports some phenomenal bluefin fishing happening across the fleet. In addition to that, she goes over what tackle and techniques are working best right now on both the Full Day boats, as well as the multi-day longer trips. Tonie recommends the essential tackle every angler heading out should bring with them, and demonstrates how to fish the sinker rig most effectively. Take these tips out with you next time you’re on the water and let us know how you do. Tight lines! ABOUT TONIE BANGOS Tonie Bangos works aboard…

Have you ever gone down to the beach to go surf fishing and wondered where in the world to start? After walking to the water’s edge what do you look for and where are the fish? Finding the best spot to fish on the beach is much harder than fishing from a boat using a fish finder and anchoring over your favorite rock. Waves crashing on a sandy beach almost always appear the same in either direction and make it hard to pick just the right spot to begin to fish. The right place to fish at every beach is…

The Southern California Bight is experiencing a little bit of unstable weather with winds turning on and off. Erik Landesfiend gives us a little look at the Bight and the best options for the next several days. There seems to be some decent fishing around so watch this report and get out there. About Erik Landesfeind Since getting his start working as a deckhand on a ¾ day boat in the 1980s, Erik Landesfeind has spent the last 35 years fishing the waters off Southern California and Baja. Taking what he’d learned during his years fishing on sport boats,…

Are you interested in recreational California spiny lobster fishing? CDFW staff will host a public meeting to gather input on potential changes to recreational spiny lobster fishing regulations to address feedback received from the lobster fishing community and CDFW law enforcement. The changes would simplify existing regulations and aid enforcement: • Simplifying and clarifying hoop net buoy marking requirements • Prohibiting hoop net fishing for any species during the 24 hours before the lobster opener • Moving the recreational opening time 12 hours earlier, so that the season opener will be at 6 p.m. on Friday evening • Cleaning up…

Although the fleet experienced a few days of slower fishing, the bluefin bite is once again exceptional. In addition to the nighttime jig fishing, the daytime fishing is improving as well. This is a great time to refresh your knowledge about fishing a flylined bait. In this week’s Sportboat Roundup, Tonie shares some tips to help increase your odds of getting bit on a live bait. Bait selection is key, and knowing various ways of hooking your live bait is equally as important, as sometimes it is the difference between getting a bite and watching the guy next to you…

In this week’s Sportboat Roundup, Tonie reports that despite the strong winds, the bluefin fishing is showing no signs of slowing down. Trips are filling up fast, as we are still seeing limit style bluefin fishing across the fleet.⁠ ⁠ Check out her report to hear the latest and greatest, along with some tackle recommendations if you’re planning on heading out to chase some bluefin soon!⁠ ABOUT TONIE BANGOS Tonie Bangos works aboard the Grande and is a seasoned angler who brings us weekly updates which include reports, tips, and the most current information about what’s working in the SoCal…

We all do it, we hear of reports of good fishing in an area and often we forget to dissect the zone and run to a number or a bank. In this week’s episode, Erik breaks down how to read some conditions and variables when out looking for Bluefin and how best to strategize your fishing day. It’s all about reading the conditions, make sure to look for those hard edges whether it is Sea Surface Temperature or Chlorophyll, and always keep the binos on hand. About Erik Landesfeind Since getting his start working as a deckhand on a ¾…

Sportboat Roundup! The big bluefin are back and within-day range. In this episode, Tonie reports from the Grande just off the fishing grounds. Big casualties and big catches. With the wind up over the last couple of weeks, private boating will be and has been tough, get on one of our local sportboats for one of these trophies. Hope you enjoy and we’ll see you next week, tight lines! ABOUT TONIE BANGOS Tonie Bangos works aboard the Grande and is a seasoned angler who brings us weekly updates which include reports, tips, and the most current information about what’s working…

This week Erik’s got a lot to cover. Great fishing going on right now up and down the SoCal bight, from white seabass and yellowtail up North, to limit style bluefin tuna fishing down South. In this week’s report, Erik covers all that, and shares some tips on finding your own fish along with a firsthand fish report! About Erik Landesfeind Since getting his start working as a deckhand on a ¾ day boat in the 1980s, Erik Landesfeind has spent the last 35 years fishing the waters off Southern California and Baja. Taking what he’d learned during his years…

Over the years we’ve had some great on-the-beach surf fishing seminars and have seen thousands of different rod and reel combinations make their way to the sand. Some have been right on the money and others, well let’s just say were a bit lacking. When it comes to surf fishing there are two basic surf fishing setups. Long rods with heavy line used for casting and fishing outside the surf line. And light-line surf rods designed so surf fishermen can easily move along the beach and fish the inshore troughs, holes and rip currents. Long rod surf fishing has been…

If you’re a tarpon enthusiast this one will hit right at home, David Futch just released his new book Historic Tales of Gasparilla Island, published by Arcadia Publishing. The book dives into all things tarpon fishing in the Tarpon Capital of the World, Boca Grande Pass. The Gasparilla fourth-generation author takes you through his youth and the times growing up in this unique location, where fun and competitiveness were akin in this fishery. Beyond, David’s early days he navigates his writing through his career as a journalist and fishing guide in the area. The book is full of personal accounts…

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) will celebrate the 2022 IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Class on September 10, 2022, at the Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Aquarium & Museum in Springfield, Missouri. In recognition of their extraordinary contributions to recreational angling around the world, The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has named five more fishing greats to the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. Elected unanimously by the IGFA Board of Trustees, the new class will join 136 legendary anglers, scientists, conservationists, writers, and fishing industry leaders whose contributions to sport fishing are forever preserved and celebrated in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. This…

For Immediate Release Contact: Chris Arechaederra chrisa@ccacalifornia.org Significantly More White Seabass Caught in California are Hatchery Fish Than Previously Thought, Genetic Research Indicates New Results Contrast Sharply with Recovered Coded Wire Tags A new study four years in the making by a team of marine fisheries and genetic scientists indicates there are many more white seabass swimming in California ocean waters that originated in the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) hatchery than previously thought. Presented at the Aquaculture 2022 conference in early March in San Diego, California, the preliminary findings contrast sharply with a 2017 study that indicated less than 1…

Limited edition product release from Free Fly Apparel, which partnered with Bonefish & Tarpon Trust to help kick-start mangrove restoration after the devastating impact of Hurricane Dorian. To help paint a picture of the impact, Abaco, a group of islands and barrier cays in the northern Bahamas, lost 40% of their mangroves, which is 20,000 acres of nursery grounds for many fish species, birds, and reptiles but also serve as an important stabilizer for the shoreline from incoming storms.  To help assist BTT in their mangrove restoration project, Free Fly created a limited edition mangrove graphic to be incorporated into 3 products that will…