Fishing the Baja tuna pens pays off for anglers

August 9, 2012 8:17am

This is an update to an article that PFO did for you last season as the bluefin tuna are back on the tuna pens this morning. Big schools of the fine eating fish continue to head up the coast and lots of them are settling on the pens again this year.

"We saw big schools of bluefin tuna and they were all headed up towards san Diego," said Independence skipper Paul Strasser. "Things are looking great."

Already this morning, several boats have 5 fish limits of bluefin tuna. Tonight at 8pm, PFO Radio will have all the latest including private boater expert Dave Hansen with where the fish are and how you can catch them.

We'll keep you informed all day today and then have two hours of power packed PFO RADIO for you, 8-10pm tonight. 

Just go to PFO Radio and click the follow button under my photo. We will send you a link so you can click and enjoy the show. 

 
Screams of hook-up and fresh one emanated from the Grande as another flurry of bluefin tuna came under the boat. Anglers fishing about 55 miles southwest of San Diego were catching 12-15 lb. tuna with an occasional 40-lb. specimen tossed in for spice.

 
The Grande was one of several boats crowded around a floating tuna pen waiting for another chance at one of these hard fighting, fine eating gamefish.

The pens were being towed full of its valuable cargo of tuna at about two knots back and forth about 30 miles off the Baja coast.

 “I’ve never heard of such a thing,” said veteran Captain Don Ashley. “I’ve heard of tuna on kelp paddies, whales, in pods of dolphin and porpoise but never on the tuna pens.”

Tuna pens are underwater pens that are about 150-feet wide and 50 feet deep. Wild bluefin t una are fattened up on fresh sardines and then shipped off to Japan where they can fetch big dollars.

The bluefin caught in the Eastern Pacific live in cooler water and have a wonderful reputation in Japan for their sweet taste. Fresh slabs of toro make for delicious sushi. It’s ironic that the Pacific bluefin migrate from Japan to the waters of Baja and California only to be nabbed, fattened-up, and then put on a non-stop flight back to Japan.

The pens dot the rich waters of Northern Baja California around the Coronado Islands and Ensenada where tuna are cared for and groomed for the lucrative Japanese Market.

The Oceanside 95 was also fishing near one of the pens recently when a zodiac raft came zooming by.  The crew members on board are responsible for guarding the pens against sharks, sea lions and poachers. “They raised a couple of ice cold Mexican beers and waved hello,” said David Mendrin from Whittier who was a passenger on board. “They were totally cool with us fishing near the pens.”

The Grande was catching more fish as was the Oceanside 95 and several private boaters who were all huddled around the pens.

Bluefin tuna are know as discriminating feeders so 15-lb. test with a 20-lb fluorocarbon leader really helped to induce a bite from the delectable tuna.

Scott Buchert from Corona del Mar was on board the Grande and nabbed a nice bluefin tuna that took the jackpot. "I cast my bait toward the pen and wham; I was on," said Buchert.

Boats get close to the pens and start chumming live sardines to try and lure the tuna to the surface.  “Sometimes the bite happens right away and other times it takes a while,” said Mendrin.  There is a sense of anticipation created when you hear one boat hooking-up. “We could see the Toronado getting bit and guys screaming, then the Grande and then it was our turn,” said Mendrin. “It was exciting to see the fish move from boat to boat until we got our shot.”

“I am guessing it’s like a kelp paddy where fish come to hide out or seek bait,” said Ashley. “Either that or they are coming to say hello to there brethren.” Whatever the reason, the tuna pens have been an easy way to locate bluefin for sportfishermen fishing of the coast of Northern Baja.

“Just when you think you have seen it all, something new comes along,” said Ashley who has been in sportfishing for over 5 decades. For now, the tuna destined for Japan are showing Southern California anglers where they can find their very own fresh toro under the tuna pens.

Comments

[Simone Gambler]

That tuna in the photo is incredibly big. Tuna is one of the most expensive fishes in the market. It's no wonder why they're pricey: their skin and flesh are so soft to eat. A tuna gives out a totally different sensation, as compared to other fish.

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That looks like a great place to catch fishes. Good thing you shared these photos to us. Thanks!

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