December has a way of keeping its promises—especially when tuna are on the menu.
Yesterday, we headed offshore with a clear objective: find tuna feeding under dolphin pods. December consistently delivers on this pattern. Bait is abundant, conditions align, and yellowfin tuna move aggressively, often shadowing spinner dolphins across open water.
After running approximately 20 miles offshore, the ocean revealed its first sign of life. A large pod of dolphins broke the surface—and immediately, tuna followed. What unfolded next was pure Pacific chaos: tuna exploding out of the water, schools pushing bait to the surface, silver bodies launching skyward in every direction.
It was spectacular. And far from easy.
The fish were keyed in, selective, and fast. We rotated through a full spread of techniques—surface poppers and walking baits, then shifted to mid-depth stickbaits and minnows. Our captain, Arturo, stayed one step ahead, reading the movement of the fish and supplementing with live bait when the opportunity presented itself.
That adaptability made the difference.
By the end of the session, we landed six yellowfin tuna in the 30–40 lb range, solid, hard-fighting fish that earned every inch of line. Along the way, we watched several 100+ lb tuna crash the surface just out of reach—an unmistakable reminder of the caliber of fish moving through the area right now.
Not every fish is meant to be landed. Some are meant to be witnessed.
When biomass concentrates at this level, action becomes constant, and the experience transcends simple catch numbers. It becomes about timing, decision-making, and being present in the middle of something wild and alive.
One thing is clear: the tuna season is officially underway.
For anglers targeting casted tuna in surface-feeding schools, December, January, and February offer some of the highest probabilities of exceptional fishing. Our full-day offshore trips are designed specifically for this window—maximizing time on the grounds and staying mobile until the ocean lights up.
The Pacific has opened the door.
We know exactly how to walk through it.
Quick Fishing Summary
- Target Species: Yellowfin Tuna
- Season Highlight: December – February
- Distance Offshore: ~20 miles
- Techniques Used:
- Surface casting (poppers, walkers)
- Mid-depth casting (stickbaits, minnows)
- Live bait support
- Results:
- 6 tuna landed (30–40 lb)
- Multiple 100+ lb fish sighted
This is not about luck.
It’s about reading conditions, understanding seasonal movements, and putting anglers in the right place when the ocean decides to perform.
And December has only just begun.
write by Adrian Arreola
