mckenzie Fishing Report 2025

Ryan Bostian talks about the gear you will need fishing at this time of year
Hey guys:

I'd like to check in and give you guys a recap of our last week at the Coronado Islands as well as prepare you for what you can expect this week. This is the time of year when surface fish are the target species. Yellowtail , barracuda , calico bass , sandbass and white seabass are all on the menu right now. Most of our trips last week we caught between 5-15 yellows 50-150 barracuda and 30-70 calico bass. An area of squid has moved into the island area and some of our trips have started out jigging live squid to use for bait. Squid jigs will be provided by the boat if we decide to stop for squid. Having the live squid opens up a few more options for us.

I want to give you guys a list of rods and reels you should bring out this time of year. One 15 lb. rod with a bass rod and reel like a Calcutta or curado for fishing anchovies and plastics for calico bass and sandbass. One 25 lb. or 30 lb. rod for fly lining sardines . One 30 lb. rod for fishing a live squid with a small sliding egg sinker. The fourth outfit is optional and it is a 40 lb. jig stick for fishing the surface iron.

While everyday is different on the ocean and we need to be prepared for a variety of fish this time of year. These 4 outfits will have you prepared. A wise man once told me " the definition of luck is when preparation and opportunity collide".

Capt Ryan

George Davis made his eighth (his estimate) annual charter with Tommy Rothery aboard the Polaris Supreme, and met the boat when it returned to Fisherman's Landing January 13 after an 18-day excursion. It was Friday, but definitely not a bad luck day or trip, as chartermaster George bagged a 257-pound tuna for himself as the boat fished off southern Baja. He might have had a jackpot spot, but by consent the group of eight passengers had a single jackpot winner. Davis runs a construction company from Rancho Cucamonga. "Everybody got a cow," said Tommy, "and we released over 100 tuna. We ended up with 27 tuna over 200 pounds." The day's big winner was Tom Hilton of San Clemente who scored a 293-pound whopper yellowfin with a sardine on a 7/0 Super Mutu hook, 130-pound red line, 130-pound Spectra backing on a Penn 50T reel blueprinted by Cal Sheets, and a 760H Calstar rod tied by Sheridan Stanton (also on the trip). Hilton said he got the big tuna "‚Д¶in 25 minutes; my best fish ever. My biggest before was 178 pounds. "I knew he was heavy," remarked Tom, "but he bit on the last bait on the last day at the last stop of the day. The fat lady hadn't sung yet, but I could hear her warming up in the wings." Hilton also had tuna of 251, 237, 236 and 213 pounds. The water temperature in the tuna area remains at 69 to 715 degrees, anglers said. High score went to Scott Brown of Costa Mesa, with six over 200 pounds, at 279, 269, 246, 240, and a pair of 225-pounders. Scott said he fished with sardines on 6/0 ringed Super Mutu hooks, on 100-pound Ande line, 130-pound Spectra backing, a Tiagra 50W reel and a Calstar 655 TSS rod. Al Tokunaga had five, at 225, 222, 213, 208 and 201 pounds. The 27 cows was no boat record, but 27 for eight anglers may make for some kind of mark.

Captain Ryan Bostian checked in this evening. We had 18 passengers catch 6 bluefin tuna from 70-110 pounds. We landed about 1/3 of what we hooked. All you need is a 20 lb Rod for smaller yellowfin. A 50 lb bait Rod with 3/0 circle hooks and a couple 4 oz. torpedos for big fish. And a 60 lb. Rod to fish a flatfall.

Our first stop of the day was a bit humbling as we went 10 out of probably 50+ on the 50-110 pound Bluefin (anything under 40 on these fish was too lite).

We ended the trip with 14 Bluefin and 41 Yellowfin (18-60 pounds) in great weather for our 27 Angler’s, we go again tonight.