Eastern Pacific Bonito

Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Southern California south to Chile. A separate species from Pacific Bonito (Sarda chiliensis chiliensis) found off Peru and Chile, though very similar. Most abundant in Mexican Pacific waters and increasingly common off Southern California during warm water years.

Preferred Water Temperature: 64°F–74°F. Follows warm currents northward during El Niño conditions. Highly migratory, tracking baitfish and temperature breaks along the Eastern Pacific coast.

Size & Weight: Typically 2–8 lbs and 16–24 inches. Maximum approximately 12 lbs. A common and popular sport fish throughout its range, valued for both sport and table qualities.

Best Lures: Trolled cedar plugs and feather jigs are highly effective. Metal jigs cast into surface schools produce excellent results. Chrome surface iron in 2–4 oz sizes works well. Small stick baits and poppers produce when fish are feeding aggressively at the surface.

Best Baits: Live anchovies are the top bait when available. Dead sardines rigged on a jig produce well. Cut squid is universally effective. Small whole mackerel are excellent. A good food fish and also used as live bait for Yellowtail and White Seabass.

Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Southern California south to Chile. A separate species from Pacific Bonito (Sarda chiliensis chiliensis) found off Peru and Chile, though very similar. Most abundant in Mexican Pacific waters and increasingly common off Southern California during warm water years.

64°F–74°F. Follows warm currents northward during El Niño conditions. Highly migratory, tracking baitfish and temperature breaks along the Eastern Pacific coast.

Best Lures: Trolled cedar plugs and feather jigs are highly effective. Metal jigs cast into surface schools produce excellent results. Chrome surface iron in 2–4 oz sizes works well. Small stick baits and poppers produce when fish are feeding aggressively at the surface. Best Baits: Live anchovies are the top bait when available. Dead sardines rigged on a jig produce well. Cut squid is universally effective. Small whole mackerel are excellent. A good food fish and also used as live bait for Yellowtail and White Seabass.

Typically 2–8 lbs and 16–24 inches. Maximum approximately 12 lbs. A common and popular sport fish throughout its range, valued for both sport and table qualities.

1 official record on file for Eastern Pacific Bonito