Dana Wharf: yellowfin on the kelps, bass and bonito on the beach

Dana Wharf Sportfishing’s Sept. 24, 2026 South Coast note in The Log calls it a fun week of half-day fishing along the beach. Bass and bonito kept the local boats busy. Water held at 72–74°F, with clean water in a few productive spots. Flylined live anchovies were the bite that was hard to beat. Sniper jigs worked as an alternative, and soft plastics took bass. Half-day crews also picked up some smaller yellowtail in the 5- to 10-pound range.

Offshore, the three-quarter-day and all-day trips had excellent yellowfin. The fish split into a smaller grade of about 3 to 8 pounds and another class of 12 to 20 pounds. Kelp-paddy fishing was the most productive pattern. Some days the kelps were hard to find; when a boat got on one, the landing called it a day-maker. The setup that worked was light line, 15- to 20-pound, small hooks, and a short fluorocarbon leader. Sniper jigs of 40 to 60 grams took yellowfin and skipjack while boats were still looking for kelp. A few of those paddies also held dorado, and there were marlin opportunities.

The Fury fished the same offshore water and had tuna for its passengers. The small-boat fleet tapped the same bite. The landing credited the bait company for keeping the receivers full.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: The Log — South Coast Fish Report (provided by Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Sept. 24, 2026).