Pacific Bonito

Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean from Alaska south to Chile, with the main sport fishery concentrated from Central California to Baja California. Particularly abundant in Southern California waters from June through October. A highly migratory, schooling species that follows warm water intrusions northward in summer.

Preferred Water Temperature: 64°F–72°F. Follows warm water and baitfish northward in summer and retreats south in fall. The 64°F line is a reliable temperature trigger for locating fish off Southern California.

Size & Weight: Typically 2–8 lbs and 16–24 inches. Trophy fish reach 10–12 lbs. World record: 14 lbs 4 oz. A very common sport fish that can be caught in extremely high numbers off the California coast.

Best Lures: Trolled cedar plugs and feather jigs in blue-white produce fast action. Cast metal jigs (Salas, Tady) into surface schools generate instant strikes. High-speed trolling with Hex heads and Rapala magnums works well. Chrome surface iron works well at 4–6 inch sizes. Topwater lures produce when fish are busting on bait.

Best Baits: Live anchovies fly-lined or drifted are the top bait — standard SoCal technique of slowing over a school and throwing chum. Fresh-dead squid are excellent. Small sardines work well. Anchovies on a high-low bait rig produce when fishing at anchor. Pacific Bonito are also excellent live bait for larger species including Yellowtail and White Seabass.

Eastern Pacific Ocean from Alaska south to Chile, with the main sport fishery concentrated from Central California to Baja California. Particularly abundant in Southern California waters from June through October. A highly migratory, schooling species that follows warm water intrusions northward in summer.

64°F–72°F. Follows warm water and baitfish northward in summer and retreats south in fall. The 64°F line is a reliable temperature trigger for locating fish off Southern California.

Best Lures: Trolled cedar plugs and feather jigs in blue-white produce fast action. Cast metal jigs (Salas, Tady) into surface schools generate instant strikes. High-speed trolling with Hex heads and Rapala magnums works well. Chrome surface iron works well at 4–6 inch sizes. Topwater lures produce when fish are busting on bait. Best Baits: Live anchovies fly-lined or drifted are the top bait — standard SoCal technique of slowing over a school and throwing chum. Fresh-dead squid are excellent. Small sardines work well. Anchovies on a high-low bait rig produce when fishing at anchor. Pacific Bonito are also excellent live bait for larger species including Yellowtail and White Seabass.

1 fishing location where you can catch Pacific Bonito

Typically 2–8 lbs and 16–24 inches. Trophy fish reach 10–12 lbs. World record: 14 lbs 4 oz. A very common sport fish that can be caught in extremely high numbers off the California coast.

1 official record on file for Pacific Bonito