Reeling in the Dreams: Southern California Bluefin

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Bluefin hadn’t been seen in Southern California waters in any numbers for almost 50 years. But when the feeding pins were set up off south of the boarder about a decade ago, an unexpected thing happened. With nothing else to do but swim in a giant pin and get fed, these initial school sized bluefin began spawning. Broadcast spawners the fertile eggs drifted outside the pins and a “new” school of baby bluefin tuna were created. With perfect water conditions and a plentiful supply of bait, these fish stayed around and year after year continued to grow and breed and before anyone really knew what was happening, we had a bluefin tuna fishery in our back yard. Initially 20 to 25-pound fish were being caught. Each consecutive year producing larger fish. This year we’re anticipating setting a new California state record when a 400-pound local fish will be captured.