EXPLORING THE REGION’S SALTWATER FISHING OPPORTUNITIES–PART I
When flipping through the latest stack of fly fishing travel brochures, you’re likely to find familiar destinations showcasing marquee species: Florida Keys tarpon, Alaska’s unspoiled salmon, or Louisiana’s giant redfish. Yet, one destination is often overlooked—Southern California. While not renowned for saltwater fly fishing, the region offers wonderful year-round opportunities for a variety of hard-fighting species. Whether in the surf, bays, harbors, along the coast, or near offshore islands, Southern California provides countless adventures to keep anglers busy saltwater fly fishing, whether wading on foot or aboard a small personal vessel.
In the first of this seasonal, four-part series, we explore winter fishing for Pacific bonito.
BONITO AT THE ISLANDS
As a friend once said, “Bonito are God’s gift to Southern California saltwater fly fishers!” I couldn’t agree more. My own saltwater fly fishing journey began in 1974 in King Harbor Redondo Beach. Minutes from my Gardena home, I worked at Art’s Fishing Tackle, where I purchased my first fly rod blank—a chocolate-colored Fenwick Feralite fiberglass model. I brought it home that evening and wrapped it on my dad’s rod machine. Excited to use it, I couldn’t wait for the Gudebrod varnish to dry, so I fished it “tacky” aboard a leaky wood rental skiff. We rowed it over to the “Bubble Hole,” kicked the anchor over, and I was fast to my first Pacific bonito.
While the coastal Pacific bonito (Sarda lineolate) are now mostly a distant memory, Catalina Island has become my destination of choice. Decades later, the fundamentals remain the same when pursuing these smaller versions of tuna: Bonito eagerly attack an aggressively stripped streamer presented at various depths. Measuring three to six inches in length, Jonny King’s Kinky Muddler, Enrico Puglisi Minnows, Lefty’s Deceivers, and Clouser Minnows in blue/white, olive/white, and tan/white are very popular and effective fly patterns. Taking a cue from commercial albacore fishermen, an all-white version can also work well! Gamakatsu makes the perfect fly-tying hook with their SL12 in sizes 1 to 3/0, depending on fly length. Floating lines and Crease flies can offer explosive action at times.
Bonito are often found near structure where currents activate baitfish, but don’t overlook open water–keep your head on a swivel scanning for surface activity. Once located, using a traditional anchor or spot-locking trolling motor can help you hold position ahead of the school and utilize chum to keep your quarry lined up behind your stern. Use the countdown method to replicate your presentation and keep your fly in the zone from ten to twenty fathoms.
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
For targeting bonito, a fast-action 9- or 10-weight outfit is ideal. These rods provide the backbone to battle strong fish while preparing you for potential encounters with prized species like yellowtail or white seabass. Made in the USA, Orvis offers excellent options with its top-of-the-line Helios series or the more budget-friendly Recon models—both excellent choices, easy loading and powerful enough to land these strong fish.
Leave Grandpa’s trusty trout reel at home. Corrosive saltwater and long, drag-screaming runs by these hard-pulling fish demand a high-quality fly reel. Northern California’s family-owned Galvan Fly Reels produces outstanding options like the Torque 10 or Grip 10. They are simply the best with their beautifully machined and anodized aluminum construction, smooth, powerful disc drags, and large diameter arbors for quick line pick up. My Galvan reels have traveled the globe numerous times, landing many trophy fish in extremely harsh conditions. Whether its massive Baja Mexico roosterfish, Brazil’s aggressive monster peacock bass, or toothy golden dorado in Argentina, they perform.
Similar to how a conventional angler’s bucktail jig provides the ability to cover the water column from surface to bottom, effective fly fishing in the ocean requires placing the fly at a specific depth before beginning the retrieve, often a challenge given the current, wind, and fast-moving species. This requires fly line that sinks FAST before they move on. Scientific Anglers’ (SA) Sonar Titan Sink 3/5/7 fly line is my go-to choice—it casts beautifully, sinks rapidly, and handles the rigors of saltwater fishing. Nothing fancy, a leader setup of a straight 8-foot section of 20X SA Absolute Fluorocarbon with a loop knot at the fly end provides maximum action.
TACTICS FOR SUCCESS
Bonito love a fast retrieve. Typically, 2-3-foot strips get the bites, but occasionally, a slower strip–strip–pause can entice grabs on the sink. Alternatively, try an aggressive two-handed, hand-over-hand strip for some jaw-dropping strikes! These speedsters often eat the fly coming straight at you, so maintain your retrieve until you feel the weight of the fish—this ensures a solid hookset.
Southern California’s saltwater fly fishing may not rival the fame of Florida or Alaska, but it offers its own special magic. From the adrenaline rush of battling bonito to the possibility of hooking coveted species like yellowtail, these waters deliver unforgettable experiences for adventurous anglers.
