Yellowtail fishing tips - Yellowtail fish - How-To catch Yellowtail - Yo-Yo jigging, best yellowtail bait, jig fishing tips, tackle for Yellowtail (Jack not tuna species of fish)

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How to Catch Thresher and Mako Shark off Southern California

San Diego's coastal waters are a prime location for catching both thresher and mako sharks. These powerful predators offer an exciting challenge for anglers. Here's a guide to help you successfully catch these sharks. 

Thresher Sharks 

Best Locations: Thresher sharks are often found in nearshore waters and around submarine canyons. Look for them in areas with plenty of baitfish. 

Best Times: The best time to catch thresher sharks is from spring to fall when they are most active. 

Gear: Use a heavy-duty rod and reel with a 50-100 lb line. Thresher sharks are strong fighters, so you'll need robust equipment. 

Bait: Live bait such as sardines and mackerel are highly effective. Threshers are known to be attracted to these types of bait. 

Techniques: 

  • Drift Fishing: This technique allows you to cover more area and increase your chances of encountering a thresher shark. 

  • Chumming: Create a chum slick to attract sharks to your location. This can be done by using a mixture of fish parts and blood. 

  • Vertical Jigging: Mimic the movement of prey by using vertical jigging techniques. This can entice a thresher shark to strike. 

Mako Sharks 

Best Locations: Mako sharks are typically found in deeper offshore waters. Look for them around underwater structures and drop-offs. 

Best Times: Mako sharks are most active during the summer months, but they can be caught year-round. 

Gear: Similar to thresher sharks, use a heavy-duty rod and reel with a 50-100 lb line. Makos are known for their acrobatic leaps and powerful runs. 

Bait: Live bait such as mackerel, bonito, and squid are effective for attracting mako sharks. 

Techniques: 

  • Trolling: Use trolling techniques with live bait or lures to cover more water and locate mako sharks. 

  • Chumming: Like with thresher sharks, chumming can be very effective in attracting mako sharks to your boat. 

  • Fly Fishing: For a unique challenge, try fly fishing for mako sharks. This requires specialized gear and techniques but can be incredibly rewarding. 

Safety Tips 

When fishing for thresher and mako sharks, always prioritize safety. These sharks are powerful and can be dangerous if not handled properly. Use appropriate gear, maintain a safe distance, and never attempt to bring a large shark onto your boat without proper equipment and experience. 

 

Happy fishing! If you have any other questions or need further details, feel free to ask. 😊 

 

 

Best Yellowtail Fishing Reels

Popular top of the line saltwater fishing reels for Southern California anglers.

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Daiwa Sealine XHA
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Best Mid Price - Performance Daiwa Reels Popular for Yellowtail

Best Fishing Reels Accurate & Avet for San Diego Tuna & Yellowtail

Accurate Boss Conventional Fishing Reels are one of the most popular Southern California angler fishing reel picks for Tuna and Big Game fish - Search or browse for the new Accurate Boss Fury FX-600X Reel - Right-Hand best price point reel or buy here!

The Accurate Boss Single Speed Boss Series X Single Speed or for turning bigger game fish the BX-2 Series. Both Accurate Boss 400x, 500x or 600x have huge 6:1 ratio great for popular Southern California - San Diego deep "Yo-Yo" technique where dropping deep and cranking in at blazing speeds trigger the Yellowtail bite. Spend the money for an Accurate or Avet one piece aluminum body work horse reels for San Diego game fish like we witnessed in 2015!

Accurate Boss Valiant Fishing Reel

My favorite reel for local tuna and Yellowtail is Accurate Boss Valiant, a reel every Southern California angler needs in their mix of rods and reels. Help support SportfishSanDiego.com if you buy one of these reels by making purchases from Amazon. I've searched and selected my local favorites for San Diego and SoCal sportfishing where diversity and several rod/reel combos come in handy when on a moments noticed you 60-80# Bluefin Tuna show up at the side of the boat. Here's the best deal on Amazon I found for the Boss Valiant BV-300 - Click image to buy now and support this website and more tips.

Accurate Boss Valiant BV-300 - Link to Buy Now at Amazon

Shimano Calcutta Series - Best Fishing For Yellowtail

SHIMANO Calcutta Conquest CTCNQ400 Reel - Right-Handed - This is the latest high-end Calcutta. I used to love my 400 though more maintenance than most reels it was worth the big performance in small package for local 3/4 open party fishing for Yellowtail, the most popular trips out of San Diego for Yellowtail.

Shimano CALCUTTA 400B, Round Baitcating Freshwater Fishing Reel - This is more like the older Calcutta 400's that were populare in the 90's. I really liked mine but again maintenance and drags got tempermental. The Conquest if in the angler's budget I highly recommend. When that one trophy Yellow comes to the boat the Conquest is the better reel.

Avet and Accurate Boss Fury Conventional Fishing Reels Great For Southern California Sportfishing

Accurate Boss Conventional Fishing Reels are one of the most popular Southern California angler fishing reel picks for Tuna and Big Game fish - Search or browse for the new Accurate Boss Fury FX-600X Reel - Right-Hand best price point reel or buy here!

Best Bang for the Buck Shimano and Daiwa Price/Performance Reels for Yellowtail

Shimano TLD 30 Two-Speed -
Best Price
Daiwa Sealine-X Fishing Reels

Higher End Premium Reel for When the Trophy Fish Show - The Best Most Popular High End Tackle for Yellowtail

My favorite reel for local tuna and Yellowtail is Accurate Boss Valiant, a reel every Southern California angler needs in their mix of rods and reels. Help support SportfishSanDiego.com if you buy one of these reels by making purchases from Amazon. I've searched and selected my local favorites for San Diego and SoCal sportfishing where diversity and several rod/reel combos come in handy when on a moments noticed you 60-80# Bluefin Tuna show up at the side of the boat. Here's the best deal on Amazon I found for the Boss Valiant BV-300 - Click image to buy now and support this website and more tips.

Accurate Boss Valiant BV-300 - Link to Buy Now at Amazon

Shimano Calcutta Series - Best Fishing in Shimano Line Up For Yellowtail

SHIMANO Calcutta Conquest CTCNQ400 Reel - Right-Handed - This is the latest high-end Calcutta. I used to love my 400 though more maintenance than most reels it was worth the big performance in small package for local 3/4 open party fishing for Yellowtail, the most popular trips out of San Diego for Yellowtail.

Shimano CALCUTTA 400B, Round Baitcating Freshwater Fishing Reel - This is more like the older Calcutta 400's that were populare in the 90's. I really liked mine but again maintenance and drags got tempermental. The Conquest if in the angler's budget I highly recommend. When that one trophy Yellow comes to the boat the Conquest is the better reel.