Pacific bluefin tuna are seasonal visitors to California waters. They usually appear in May and depart by October. Since they are temperate tunas (they are found in waters ranging from 62 to 68 degrees), their availability to anglers depends on the state’s water temperatures.The bluefin angling record in California is 7.5 feet and 384.5 pounds. The maximum reported length and weight for Pacific bluefin tuna is 9.8 feet. and 990 pounds.
The daily recreational bag limit for bluefin tuna is two, which may be taken or possessed in addition to the overall general daily bag limit of 20 finfish specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, subsection 27.60(a). There are also special fillet requirements for all tunas south of Point Conception.
Each fish must be:
- Cut into six pieces with all skin attached. These pieces are the four loins, the collar removed as one piece with both pectoral fins attached and intact and the belly fillet cut to include the vent and with both pelvic fins attached and intact
- Individually bagged
- Bag must be marked with the species’ common name
Like all tuna species off California, commercial fisheries for Pacific bluefin tuna are carefully managed internationally, with the size and health of the stock being monitored to ensure that commercial take does not negatively impact the population. California commercial take is regulated by an annual quota and trip limits, actively tracked by CDFW.
Good luck fishing out there!
For more CDFW information related to tuna fishing:
View an illustration of the south of Point Conception tuna fillet requirements:
Or watch a video of the fillet process:
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