California yellowtail

Long, powerful jack with a blue-green back, silver sides, a brassy-yellow stripe from the eye to the tail and a bright yellow forked tail.

8–25 lb.

Over 5 ft and 80 lb.

Sardines, anchovies, mackerel and squid.

Fast, roaming schooling fish that follow bait along the kelp, islands and offshore banks.

Found from Southern California. Kelp beds, the islands (Catalina, San Clemente, the Coronados) and offshore banks and kelp paddies from Point Conception to Baja.

Kelp beds, the islands (Catalina, San Clemente, the Coronados) and offshore banks and kelp paddies from Point Conception to Baja.

Surface to 150 ft.

Surface to 100 ft; deeper on the banks in the middle of the day.

Spring through fall, peaking in summer in warm-water years.

Dawn and dusk are best; they also feed under working birds during the day.

Current and moving water over the banks and around the islands.

Warm, clear blue water and calm seas.

Live sardines, mackerel and squid.

Surface irons, yo-yo irons, flat-fall jigs and big swimbaits.

7–8 ft conventional rod with a strong star-drag or lever-drag reel.

1/0–4/0 live-bait hooks; surface and yo-yo iron jigs.

25–50 lb mono or 50–65 lb braid with a topshot.

25–40 lb fluorocarbon.

Fly-line a live sardine without weight under birds and breaking fish, or yo-yo a heavy iron straight down on the banks. When it bites, lock up and turn it before it reaches the rocks.

Yellowtail are line-shy — go down to lighter fluorocarbon when they won't bite, and keep your bait lively.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

Rich, firm meat: sashimi and poke when very fresh, or grilled and smoked. Bleed it right away.

Strong runs — keep fingers clear of the line and reel, and gaff carefully.

California has a minimum size and bag limit; Mexican waters need a Mexican license. Check CDFW for current rules. Licenses, size and bag limits and seasons are set by each state — the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (wildlife.ca.gov), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (myodfw.com) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (wdfw.wa.gov) — together with NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Rules change often, and many areas are no-take marine reserves: check before you go.

Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.