FISHING: Baja Tuna Pens Offer Great Fishing, Blue Whales off the Coast

Screams of "hook-up" and "fresh one" emanated from the Grande as another flurry of bluefin tuna came under the boat. Anglers fishing about 55 miles southwest of San Diego were catching 12-15 lb. tuna with an occasional 40-lb. specimen tossed in for spice.

The Grande was one of several boats crowded around a floating tuna pen waiting for another chance at one of these hard fighting, fine eating gamefish.

The pens were being towed full of its valuable cargo of tuna at about two knots back and forth about 30 miles off the Baja coast.

 “I’ve never heard of such a thing,” said veteran Captain Don Ashley. “I’ve heard of tuna on kelp paddies, whales, in pods of dolphin and porpoise but never on the tuna pens.”

Tuna pens are underwater pens that are about 150-feet wide and 50 feet deep. Wild bluefin tuna are fattened up on fresh sardines and then shipped off to Japan where they can fetch big dollars.

The bluefin caught in the Eastern Pacific live in cooler water and have a wonderful reputation in Japan for their sweet taste. Fresh slabs of toro make for delicious sushi. It’s ironic that the Pacific bluefin migrate from Japan to the waters of Baja and California only to be nabbed, fattened-up, and then put on a non-stop flight back to Japan.

The pens dot the rich waters of Northern Baja California around the Coronado Islands and Ensenada where tuna are cared for and groomed for the lucrative Japanese Market.

The Oceanside 95 was also fishing near one of the pens recently when a zodiac raft came zooming by.  The crew members on board are responsible for guarding the pens against sharks, sea lions and poachers. “They raised a couple of ice cold Mexican beers and waved hello,” said David Mendrin from Whittier who was a passenger on board. “They were totally cool with us fishing near the pens.”

The Grande was catching more fish as was the Oceanside 95 and several private boaters who were all huddled around the pens.

Bluefin tuna are know as discriminating feeders so 15-lb. test with a 20-lb fluorocarbon leader really helped to induce a bite from the delectable tuna.

Scott Buchert from Corona del Mar was on board the Grande and nabbed a nice bluefin tuna that took the jackpot. "I cast my bait toward the pen and wham; I was on," said Buchert.

Boats get close to the pens and start chumming live sardines to try and lure the tuna to the surface. “Sometimes the bite happens right away and other times it takes a while,” said Mendrin.

There is a sense of anticipation created when nearby boats hook up.

“We could see the Toronado getting bit and guys screaming, then the Grande, and then it was our turn,” said Mendrin. “It was exciting to see the fish move from boat to boat until we got our shot.”

“I am guessing it’s like a kelp paddy where fish come to hide out or seek bait,” said Ashley. “Either that or they are coming to say hello to their brethren.”

Whatever the reason, the tuna pens have been an easy way to locate bluefin for sportfishermen fishing of the coast of Northern Baja.

“Just when you think you have seen it all, something new comes along,” said Ashley who has been in sportfishing for over 5 decades.

For now, the tuna destined for Japan are showing Southern California anglers where they can find their very own fresh toro under the tuna pens.

San Diego Tuna

Tremendous bluefin tuna fishing for much of the past week as bite has been red hot around the tuna pens off the Baja coast. The bite slowed down to a trickle on Tuesday with just a few tuna taken. The Condor out of Fisherman’s landing had over 50 tuna on Wednesday afternoon including a 70-lb bluefin.

Local fishing

Local fishing has been tough with the emphasis on sculpin and rockfish. There are still a few bass on the kelp beds as well as an occasional white seabass. Overall, much slower.

Great blue whale watching

Dana Wharf Whale Watching has seen a blue whale every day for 30-days straight. Great whale watching in Newport beach as well as Harbor Breeze Cruises in Long Beach, and Voyager Whale Watching in Redondo Beach. Two humpback whales were also seen out of Harbor Breeze Cruises on Wednesday.