Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 8:35 PM

    The Coronado Islands continue to produce very good mixed bag surface fishing for yellowtail, bonito, barracuda and calico bass.  It was very good near limit to limit yellowtail fishing again today.

The weather was reported to be nice today.  As always, be sure to check the latest marine weather forecast before you go boating or fishing.

The Mission Belle out of Point Loma Sportfishing had a full day trip with 35 anglers catch 154 yellowtail, 12 bonito and 15 barracuda.

The Liberty out of Fisherman’s Landing fished a full day trip with 47 anglers that caught 209 yellowtail, 23 bonito and 26 barracuda.

Seaforth Sportfishing had a full day trip aboard the San Diego fishing with 42 anglers that caught 210 yellowtail (limits), 45 barracuda, 2 halibut and 5 bonito.

There were several productive areas today with the Middle Grounds, the lighthouse at the south tip of South Island, the lee side of South Island and the South Kelp Ridge all producing action.  One of the better areas for larger sized yellowtail was reported to be off the lighthouse at the south tip of South Island.

The South Kelp Ridge was one of the best bite areas today.  Take a look in the area of 3221 and 11713.  A bit closer to the Island, take a look in the area of latitude and longitude coordinates 3222 and 11714.  Also look nearby in the area of 3222 and 11713.

In the lee of the lower part of South Island, take a look in the area of 3223 and 11714.  Inside of the north end of South Island to where you are also inside of the Middle Grounds, take a look in the area of 3225 and 11714.

Yellowtail action has been found from stopping on meter marks, sonar marks, spots of breaking fish, slow trolled live baits and from trolling strikes on trolled Rapalas.  Some of the good fishing has also come while sitting on the anchor in areas where meter marks or sonar marks are located.  A good Rapala for the yellowtail has been the blue mackerel color X-Rap Rapala in size 20 or size 30.

Once located, surface iron, yo-yo iron and sardines have been effective for yellowtail.  Sardines have been working the best.  The yellowtail have been running from 6 to 25 pounds with most in the 10 to 18 pound range.  If you want to try surface iron good choices would be Tady 45’s, Salas 7X lights or JRI surface iron in blue and white, mint and sardine colors.

There have been reports of halibut biting around the Coronados. Try drifting sandy bottom areas along the lee side of South Island.  The Middle Grounds has been one of the best areas for calico bass.