CHASING PELAGICS
California has one of the most unique fisheries in the world and it wasn’t always like this. There is still pictures that hang in the Tuna Club in Avalon on Catalina Island that show the trophy fish that were caught here in our local waters long before I was born, before my parents were was born, before my grand parents were born.
A Pelagic fish is defined as a species that migrates or is always on the move. It takes as much time trying to track them down and stalking them as it does to catch them. It’s the thrill of the hunt, and sometimes the catch that makes offshore fishing so addicting.
The current most sought after fish in the Southern California waters is the giant Bluefin Tuna. Not seen since 1929 in in Southern California, then suddenly a strong El Nino event in 2015 brought them back, and for some reason they keep returning. Only fish tales were told from the days of George Farnsworth in the early 1900’s catching them on a kite to trick these beasts from their skittish shy behaviors into biting a fresh bait. What makes these fish and other Pelagic species even more special is we are actually living in the “Good old Days” TODAY! There is no telling when these fish might head another direction and not return for another 80 years. As for now, while they are here we must use this special opportunity to catch a fish of a lifetime, or for a few lifetimes.
There are many pelagic species in California, some easier to catch than others, but its the thrill of the chase that keeps the STOKE on HIGH. Unlike the stories of our history, not everything must be kept secret. Its helping another person, getting the right tools in their hands, let them seek the same thrill and the same chase and hopefully they too can accomplish their catch of a lifetime.
SHARE the STOKE!
CHASING PELAGICS was born.
Jeff Neubauer
Founder, CHASING PELAGICS