Yellowtail
Coronado Islands
Counts rebounding — lower boat pressure
Apr 1-11, 2026
The Count
Yellowtail
Past 4 weeks · Top 5 boats
4-Week Total
3,411
High
1155 · 03/21
Low
513 · 03/28
- Grande
- Liberty
- Mission Belle
- Pacific Voyager
- San Diego
- Total
Here's the honest picture: yellowtail counts peaked mid-March (~1,150/week) then dropped hard the last week of March. But the numbers are rebounding — this past week came in at 616, up 20% from the low. A few boats (Polaris Supreme, Horizon) shifted off yellowtail to rockfish, which explains part of the fleet-wide dip.
The key stat? Per-angler catch rates are actually up. The boats still targeting yellows are putting anglers on 3+ fish per trip — better than the 1.5/angler we saw in early March when the fleet was crowded. Less pressure at the islands is working in your favor.
No boat data available for this period.
Conditions When the Bite Was Hot
Conditions — Apr 5-8, 2026
Powered by Fish City65.3°F
Mission Bay West
4.6ft SSW @ 17s
Mission Bay West
7kt W
Mission Bay West
Waxing Gibbous (76%)
Calculated
Clean (0.38 mg/m³)
CoastWatch ERDDAP
Major 00:12–02:12
Minor 06:42–07:42
Source: NOAA Buoys 46258, 46254 | Data from nearest reliable stations — not exact spot conditions.
The best window last week came with water temps in the mid-60s, moderate swell, and light winds. Incoming tide paired with morning solunar periods pushed bait against the islands — classic setup for yellowtail to show on the surface.
7-Day Forecast
7-Day Fishability Forecast
It rained today and Sunday's forecast calls for showers with possible thunderstorms and 10-15 kt south wind. But rain runoff actually pushes bait offshore toward the islands. Water temp is sitting at 66°F — warmer than when the bite peaked in March. If you're going, today (Friday) or Saturday morning is your window before conditions turn. Mid-week looks promising again as wind dies down around the new moon.
Conditions Match
3/5conditions match — Partial match. Could go either way.
Water temp is actually warmer than when the bite was hot — up to 66°F. Swell is manageable at 4ft from the SSW with a long 17-second period. The wildcard is Sunday's forecast: 10-15 kt south wind with showers and possible thunderstorms. Today and Saturday morning are your best windows before conditions deteriorate.
What Anglers Are Saying
Fewer boats running yellowtail trips brought total counts down, but per-angler catch rates are actually better — the data backs it up.
"Anyone been out to the Coronados this week? Counts look like they dropped but wondering if it's still worth the trip."
— r/SanDiegoFishing
"Buddy went out Saturday on a 3/4 day and they picked up limits by noon. Iron bite was on fire."
— SoCal SportFishing Club (Facebook)
Tackle Loadout
Tackle Loadout
Rod
20-30 lb class
Reel
Accurate BX 500 or Penn Fathom 25N
Line
50-65 lb braid
Leader
30-40 lb fluorocarbon or 30-50 lb mono
Bait
Live sardine, fly-lined or on a dropper loop
Jigs
Iron has been outfishing bait on the morning surface bite — switch to sardine when they go subsurface after 10 AM.
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