Alijos At Night

[Captain Montauk]

I have never had the experience of fishing Alijos ....
....but I will in about 2 weeks ;-)


Is there a night bite of big Yellowtail on live bait/dropper loops?

What about deep water jigging for tuna?

I know most will say, "get some rest for the morning," etc.... (but I am young and quite fit). Back east, we focus our energy on the night bite........

Any helpful info on possible scenarios would be greatly appreciated.

Really pleased to have found this site.

Tight lines.

[Captn John]

I've fished the Alijos for years. Depending on the anchor position the Captain has to make there can be plenty of action on Yellowtail a night. Just ask the crew. Use a heavy outfit at night. I remember one trip a few of us stayed out late and limited out for trip on some huge dorado at night. Good luck and just have a great time. What boat are you going to be on?

[divegod1]

You to a high spot at night about 10 miles away. I think they call it Alijos ridge or something.
Thats where you find the 100# yellowtails, Dropperloop with macks or chunk will get you bit. There is a VERY rocky bottom Drop to the bottom crank up about 6-10' button down your drag and pray. Big gear used only, they get in the rocks and your done.

[Captain Montauk]

Thanks gents! I will be on the RP for the second time. Last trip the water was not good @ the Stones, so the bite was off there. We did great elsewhere, though.

Really enjoy the solitude and elbow room @ night out there.

[wxdunn]

Out on the bank the night bite *can* be good for Yellowtail. As mentioned, use the heavy stuff (60-80#) with a dropper loop rig fished just off the bottom. If you get a bite, pull as hard as you can and get as much line in the beginning as you can! What a ride! Think of it like trying to get the troll fish in to bring in the rest of the school...but the point here is to keep away from the rocky pinnacles. Also, know that Yellowtail are somewhat of a scavenger fish (really!) and will eat a mackerel slab fished on the bottom just as readily as a live bait. Have never seen a 100# Yellowtail (I think there may have been some in the 80s and 90s) but 40-50# Yellowtail on the ridge/bank are not uncommon.

[T-Bro]

Big yellowtail are are possibility. Use at least 80# if not 100# and pin a scad mackerel on a big hook and hold on. It is really a short term game, as you need to get them away from the rocks or you are screwed.

It is also fun to stay up and catch squid if they are around. This is a type of baitmaking I dont mind. The squid make great bait for the kite the next day.

The only tuna I have caught at night have been skipjack that came from yo-yoing a big chrome and blue jig. Unlike the east coast, we dont get many fish at night. Alijos can be sharky, so the night chunking game turns into "feed the shark".

Every year, boats catch unusual fish at night (escolar, big grouper, huge rockfish).

If you are going to fish at night, I would recommend that you ask a deckie to wake you up at 3:30AM. Then you can come up and try dropping for big yellowtail. If it is on, you can do quite well. If not, go back to bed. I usually fall asleep right after dinner and usually one nightcap (around 9PM). This gives you a good sleep and allows you to fish the 3:30 wakeup. If the fishing stays good, stay up and make sure to yo-yo a big PL-69 glow in the dark jig at greay light. This is your best chance at a tuna on iron in the dark.

Buena suerte,

T-Bro

[afraser]

Nothing like hanging the bottom with 130 braid. Have to just crank down the drag and put the rod in a holder and let the boat break the line.

[Dos Locos]

Originally Posted by Captain Montauk

I have never had the experience of fishing Alijos ....
....but I will in about 2 weeks ;-)


Is there a night bite of big Yellowtail on live bait/dropper loops?

What about deep water jigging for tuna?

I know most will say, "get some rest for the morning," etc.... (but I am young and quite fit). Back east, we focus our energy on the night bite........

Any helpful info on possible scenarios would be greatly appreciated.

Really pleased to have found this site.

Tight lines.

BIG BIG BIG dropper loop Yellowtail at night on the scad or mackies....use a 2 speed and 80#....these bastards run BIG...did I mention BIG? 60-70lbs is common and they'll rock you in a New York minute if you don't turn their head with heavy string and a 2 speed reel

[Yellowtail Dan]

The fish in my avater is from a nite bite after making bait on the Alijos ridge. They were all 40lb cookie cutter fish for about an hour. Dropper loop on a minimum of 80lb with a scad on a big J hook. 3 cranks off the bottom and use the rail and make it a little easier on yourself. After a couple of these your beer tab will start to match your blood pressure. Have fun and put your time in and it will pay off.

[RonD]

Night can be very interesting at Alijos. Big Yellowtail on the dropper with 80lb+ is common (depending upon the anchor spot as previously mentioned). I have also had fun "sight casting" for big Dorado, netting Flying Fish, jigging for squid and one of my most memorable sights - seeing a squid take down a tuna bird for a very early breakfast!

[yft1979]

Originally Posted by RonD

Night can be very interesting at Alijos. Big Yellowtail on the dropper with 80lb+ is common (depending upon the anchor spot as previously mentioned). I have also had fun "sight casting" for big Dorado, netting Flying Fish, jigging for squid and one of my most memorable sights - seeing a squid take down a tuna bird for a very early breakfast!

Wow a squid downing a bird, that must have been a sight!

[Captain Montauk]

Originally Posted by yft1979

Wow a squid downing a bird, that must have been a sight!

my thought exactly!