Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Bluefin limits in December — some lingcod tips

Dock totals Nov 26 – Dec 2

Cristian Hernandez in northern Baja California with lingcod
Cristian Hernandez in northern Baja California with lingcod

Dock Totals Nov 26 – Dec 2: 1,547 anglers aboard 74 boats out of San Diego landings this past week caught 1,027 bluefin tuna, 35 yellowfin tuna, 14 bigeye tuna, 57 yellowtail, 11 calico bass, 17 sand bass, 2,514 rockfish, 32 lingcod, 96 bonito, 336 whitefish, 51 sheephead, 76 sanddab, 19 bocaccio, 6 halibut, 1 mako shark, 1 cabezon 61 red rock crab, and 22 spiny lobster.

Saltwater: The tuna bite was predominantly a bluefin thing for our 1.5 day and longer boats out of San Diego landings this past week. Though the angler count dropped by a third, the Bluefin tuna numbers more than doubled this week over the week previous. The majority of those trips reported limits of good grade fish in mixed schools from 30 pounds to well over 100 pounds, and even with the yellowfin, skipjack and dorado all but gone from our mid-range waters, offshore anglers are able to bring home quite a load of pelagic fillets for their efforts.

For those targeting groundfish, the up and down fishing has been good so far early in the season. One-half and three-quarter day boats are reporting good numbers of rockfish, whitefish, sheephead and lingcod for their anglers as they target the high spots off the coast. The most aggressive species targeted in the lower water column is the lingcod. Though not closely related to either ling or cod, the greenling - Ophiodon elongates – is named for its resemblance of both. Lingcod range from Alaska to Baja along the Pacific coast and can grow to five feet in length.

Lingcod caught off southern California’s near shore waters are usually smaller than those from the Channel Islands to the Gulf of Alaska. Here, a 15 pounder is an outstanding fish for ½ or ¾ day fishing. The Nine-Mile Bank down to the Coronado Islands are the best spots. Further out, on the offshore banks 30 to 60 miles from Point Loma, 20 pounders are rare.

Though usually caught by those targeting rockfish in 150 to 300 feet of water, lingcod can be found in water as shallow as 70 feet deep. They will eat anything from mollusks to rockfish, octopus and whitefish, the latter two being favorites. For lures in the depths, try a heavy diamond jig with a strip of mackerel attached. A dropper looped whole bait like a super-sized sardine or mackerel will work

About 25 percent of lingcod caught have a bluish tinted flesh, sometimes very strikingly blue. The color disappears when cooked and the flesh is firm and prepares well in baked or lightly-fried dishes. I had some last night that I baked in a foil wrap tucked into the toaster oven. I lightly coated the foil with olive oil and then layered fresh spinach, scallions, tomatoes and boneless fillets of lingcod. I added a couple little dabs of real butter to the tops of the fillets and added fresh diced garlic and ground pepper and more spinach so the fillets were completely wrapped in greens, and sealed the foil.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Top boats of the week:

Nov 26 – The Outer Limits reported 29 bluefin tuna for the 18 anglers aboard their 1.5 day run. 18 anglers aboard the Daiwa Pacific caught all but one of the yellowfin tuna caught by the San Diego mid-range fleet with 34, along with 3 bluefin tuna on a 1.5 day trip.

Nov 27 – Limits for everyone, with the Liberty, Prowler and Relentless all reporting maximum 1.5 day catch, with a combined count of 150 bluefin tuna for 75 anglers.

Nov 28 – 10 anglers aboard the Pride caught limits of 20 bluefin tuna while the New Lo-An reported 30 bluefin tuna for their 15 anglers. Both were 1.5 day trips.

Nov 29 – The Endeavor reported limits of bluefin tuna for 18 anglers on their overnight run, while a little closer to home port, the Point Loma found some yellowtail, with 18 ‘forktails’ boated, along with 3 bonito, 2 calico bass, 3 sand bass, 2 whitefish, and 6 rockfish for the 21 anglers aboard a ½ trip.

Nov 30 – The Oceanside 95 reported limits of 66 bluefin tuna for the 33 anglers aboard their 1.5 day trip. The Legend reported 28 bluefin tuna for 14 anglers on their 1.5 day trip.

Dec 1 – 11 anglers aboard the Chubasco II had a nice mixed bag half-day fishing inshore, with 2 halibut, 4 lingcod, 3 yellowtail, and 106 rockfish in the gunnysacks. The Tribute reported limits of 50 bluefin tuna for the 25 anglers aboard their 1.5 day trip.

Dec 2 – 21 anglers aboard the Outer Limits caught limits of 42 bluefin tuna. 3 yellowtail were also boated on the 1.5 day trip.

Fish Plants: 12/9 – Wohlford, Trout (TBD), 12/13 – Poway, Trout (1,500)

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Reader writer Chris Ahrens tells the story of Windansea

The shack is a landmark declaring, “The best break in the area is out there.”
Next Article

Aaron Stewart trades Christmas wonders for his first new music in 15 years

“Just because the job part was done, didn’t mean the passion had to die”
Cristian Hernandez in northern Baja California with lingcod
Cristian Hernandez in northern Baja California with lingcod

Dock Totals Nov 26 – Dec 2: 1,547 anglers aboard 74 boats out of San Diego landings this past week caught 1,027 bluefin tuna, 35 yellowfin tuna, 14 bigeye tuna, 57 yellowtail, 11 calico bass, 17 sand bass, 2,514 rockfish, 32 lingcod, 96 bonito, 336 whitefish, 51 sheephead, 76 sanddab, 19 bocaccio, 6 halibut, 1 mako shark, 1 cabezon 61 red rock crab, and 22 spiny lobster.

Saltwater: The tuna bite was predominantly a bluefin thing for our 1.5 day and longer boats out of San Diego landings this past week. Though the angler count dropped by a third, the Bluefin tuna numbers more than doubled this week over the week previous. The majority of those trips reported limits of good grade fish in mixed schools from 30 pounds to well over 100 pounds, and even with the yellowfin, skipjack and dorado all but gone from our mid-range waters, offshore anglers are able to bring home quite a load of pelagic fillets for their efforts.

For those targeting groundfish, the up and down fishing has been good so far early in the season. One-half and three-quarter day boats are reporting good numbers of rockfish, whitefish, sheephead and lingcod for their anglers as they target the high spots off the coast. The most aggressive species targeted in the lower water column is the lingcod. Though not closely related to either ling or cod, the greenling - Ophiodon elongates – is named for its resemblance of both. Lingcod range from Alaska to Baja along the Pacific coast and can grow to five feet in length.

Lingcod caught off southern California’s near shore waters are usually smaller than those from the Channel Islands to the Gulf of Alaska. Here, a 15 pounder is an outstanding fish for ½ or ¾ day fishing. The Nine-Mile Bank down to the Coronado Islands are the best spots. Further out, on the offshore banks 30 to 60 miles from Point Loma, 20 pounders are rare.

Though usually caught by those targeting rockfish in 150 to 300 feet of water, lingcod can be found in water as shallow as 70 feet deep. They will eat anything from mollusks to rockfish, octopus and whitefish, the latter two being favorites. For lures in the depths, try a heavy diamond jig with a strip of mackerel attached. A dropper looped whole bait like a super-sized sardine or mackerel will work

About 25 percent of lingcod caught have a bluish tinted flesh, sometimes very strikingly blue. The color disappears when cooked and the flesh is firm and prepares well in baked or lightly-fried dishes. I had some last night that I baked in a foil wrap tucked into the toaster oven. I lightly coated the foil with olive oil and then layered fresh spinach, scallions, tomatoes and boneless fillets of lingcod. I added a couple little dabs of real butter to the tops of the fillets and added fresh diced garlic and ground pepper and more spinach so the fillets were completely wrapped in greens, and sealed the foil.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Top boats of the week:

Nov 26 – The Outer Limits reported 29 bluefin tuna for the 18 anglers aboard their 1.5 day run. 18 anglers aboard the Daiwa Pacific caught all but one of the yellowfin tuna caught by the San Diego mid-range fleet with 34, along with 3 bluefin tuna on a 1.5 day trip.

Nov 27 – Limits for everyone, with the Liberty, Prowler and Relentless all reporting maximum 1.5 day catch, with a combined count of 150 bluefin tuna for 75 anglers.

Nov 28 – 10 anglers aboard the Pride caught limits of 20 bluefin tuna while the New Lo-An reported 30 bluefin tuna for their 15 anglers. Both were 1.5 day trips.

Nov 29 – The Endeavor reported limits of bluefin tuna for 18 anglers on their overnight run, while a little closer to home port, the Point Loma found some yellowtail, with 18 ‘forktails’ boated, along with 3 bonito, 2 calico bass, 3 sand bass, 2 whitefish, and 6 rockfish for the 21 anglers aboard a ½ trip.

Nov 30 – The Oceanside 95 reported limits of 66 bluefin tuna for the 33 anglers aboard their 1.5 day trip. The Legend reported 28 bluefin tuna for 14 anglers on their 1.5 day trip.

Dec 1 – 11 anglers aboard the Chubasco II had a nice mixed bag half-day fishing inshore, with 2 halibut, 4 lingcod, 3 yellowtail, and 106 rockfish in the gunnysacks. The Tribute reported limits of 50 bluefin tuna for the 25 anglers aboard their 1.5 day trip.

Dec 2 – 21 anglers aboard the Outer Limits caught limits of 42 bluefin tuna. 3 yellowtail were also boated on the 1.5 day trip.

Fish Plants: 12/9 – Wohlford, Trout (TBD), 12/13 – Poway, Trout (1,500)

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Houston ex-mayor donates to Toni Atkins governor fund

LGBT fights in common
Next Article

San Diego beaches not that nice to dogs

Bacteria and seawater itself not that great
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader