FINAL SEASON REPORT & YEAR-END ANALYSIS
This marks the final offshore report of the 2025 season. As water temperatures continue their seasonal decline and pelagic species complete their southward migration, it's time to reflect on an exceptional year of offshore fishing and express gratitude to the community that makes this work meaningful.
SEASON SUMMARY: A BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
From a fisheries biology standpoint, 2025 was remarkable. We witnessed extended migration patterns, exceptional bait availability, and oceanographic conditions that supported productive fishing well beyond typical seasonal timelines. The late-season bluefin activity we documented through early December represents a significant deviation from historical norms and provides valuable data for understanding how warming ocean temperatures are affecting pelagic fish behavior.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF 2025
The season delivered exceptional opportunities across multiple species and zones. Bluefin tuna activity extended weeks longer than historical averages, with quality fish available in nearshore and midshore zones through early December. The presence of both recreational-size specimens and 200-pound-class fish indicated healthy population structure and diverse age-class representation.
Bigeye tuna provided consistent action in the deeper canyon zones throughout the season, responding well to traditional deep-dropping and chunking techniques. The extended warm water pattern maintained productive conditions in the canyon systems longer than typical, creating opportunities for anglers targeting multiple species.
The yellowfin bite during summer and early fall was outstanding, with fish available from the midshore grounds through the canyon edges. Mahi-mahi showed up in good numbers during the warmer months, and the occasional marlin and wahoo added excitement to the mix.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS & LESSONS LEARNED
This season reinforced several key principles about pelagic fish behavior and offshore fishing success. Water temperature remains the primary driver of fish distribution and behavior. The 2-3 degree above-average temperatures we experienced through late fall directly correlated with extended fish presence in our waters.
Bait availability determines predator location. The lingering bunker, squid, and other forage species kept tuna and other pelagics engaged in our offshore zones longer than normal. When bait concentrations are present, predators will remain—regardless of calendar date.
Oceanographic conditions—current patterns, water clarity, thermocline structure—create the framework for productive fishing. Understanding these factors and how they interact allows anglers to make informed decisions about where and when to fish.
Technology and fish-finding capabilities continue to evolve, but the fundamentals remain unchanged. Birds, bait, and breaking fish are still your primary indicators. Electronics help you locate concentrations and understand structure, but visual cues and water-reading skills separate successful anglers from those who struggle.
GRATITUDE TO THE COMMUNITY
This work wouldn't be possible without the offshore fishing community that shares information, supports conservation, and maintains the infrastructure that makes offshore fishing accessible. To the charter captains who put clients on fish day after day, to the tackle shops that keep us supplied and informed, to the marina operators who maintain our access points, and to every angler who practices responsible fishing—thank you.
Special recognition goes to those who contribute to citizen science efforts, report catches to fisheries managers, and participate in tagging programs. Your data helps us understand fish populations, migration patterns, and the health of our offshore ecosystem. This information is invaluable for both management and conservation.
CONSERVATION & STEWARDSHIP
As we close out the season, it's important to reflect on our role as stewards of the offshore resource. The fishery we enjoyed this year exists because previous generations practiced conservation and fought for sustainable management. We have a responsibility to do the same for future generations.
Practice selective harvest. Keep what you'll eat, release what you won't. Handle fish properly to maximize survival rates. Report your catches to contribute to stock assessments. Support science-based management. Advocate for policies that protect habitat and maintain healthy fish populations.
The offshore ecosystem is complex and interconnected. Every species plays a role, from the smallest baitfish to the largest predators. When we fish responsibly and think systemically, we help ensure that this resource remains productive for decades to come.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
The offshore season will resume in spring when water temperatures rise and pelagic species begin their northward migration. Early-season opportunities typically focus on yellowfin tuna in the canyons, with bluefin arriving as waters warm. By summer, we'll see the full suite of offshore species available across multiple zones.
Use the off-season to maintain your equipment, study your charts, and plan your trips. Review your electronics and ensure everything is functioning properly. Organize your tackle and replace worn items. Study oceanography and learn more about the species you target. The more you understand about fish behavior and environmental factors, the more successful you'll be.
HOLIDAY WISHES
To everyone in the offshore fishing community—captains, mates, anglers, families, and supporters—I wish you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year. May your time with loved ones be meaningful, your rest be restorative, and your anticipation for the coming season be high.
Thank you for your passion for offshore fishing, your commitment to conservation, and your willingness to share knowledge with others. This community is special because of people like you.
JACK'S FINAL ANALYSIS
From a personal perspective, 2025 was extraordinary. As a fisheries biologist and passionate angler, I'm grateful for the opportunity to study these fish, understand their behavior, and share that knowledge with this community. Every trip offshore teaches me something new, and every season deepens my appreciation for the complexity and beauty of the offshore ecosystem.
The work of documenting fishing conditions, analyzing environmental factors, and providing actionable intelligence is rewarding because it helps anglers succeed. But more importantly, it contributes to a broader understanding of how our offshore fishery functions and how we can protect it for future generations.
Thank you for reading these reports, for engaging with the analysis, and for caring about the resource. Your interest and participation make this work meaningful.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The offshore fishery is a gift. It provides recreation, sustenance, economic opportunity, and connection to the natural world. It challenges us, humbles us, and rewards us in ways that transcend the simple act of catching fish.
As we close out 2025, let's celebrate what we accomplished, reflect on what we learned, and commit to being better stewards of the resource. The fish will return in the spring, the seasons will turn, and we'll be out there again—pursuing pelagics, reading the water, and living the offshore life we love.
Until then, fair winds and following seas. Stay safe, stay curious, and I'll see you in the canyons when the season begins again.
FINAL WORD
This has been an honor. Thank you for your trust, your engagement, and your commitment to offshore fishing. The community we've built around these reports is something special, and I'm grateful to be part of it.
Wishing you and your families health, happiness, and tight lines in the year ahead.
Tight lines and following seas,
Captain Jack
Fisheries Biologist & Offshore Specialist
---
These reports will resume in April 2026 when the spring offshore season begins. Wishing everyone a safe and happy off-season.
This marks the final offshore report of the 2025 season. As water temperatures continue their seasonal decline and pelagic species complete their southward migration, it's time to reflect on an exceptional year of offshore fishing and express gratitude to the community that makes this work meaningful.
SEASON SUMMARY: A BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
From a fisheries biology standpoint, 2025 was remarkable. We witnessed extended migration patterns, exceptional bait availability, and oceanographic conditions that supported productive fishing well beyond typical seasonal timelines. The late-season bluefin activity we documented through early December represents a significant deviation from historical norms and provides valuable data for understanding how warming ocean temperatures are affecting pelagic fish behavior.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF 2025
The season delivered exceptional opportunities across multiple species and zones. Bluefin tuna activity extended weeks longer than historical averages, with quality fish available in nearshore and midshore zones through early December. The presence of both recreational-size specimens and 200-pound-class fish indicated healthy population structure and diverse age-class representation.
Bigeye tuna provided consistent action in the deeper canyon zones throughout the season, responding well to traditional deep-dropping and chunking techniques. The extended warm water pattern maintained productive conditions in the canyon systems longer than typical, creating opportunities for anglers targeting multiple species.
The yellowfin bite during summer and early fall was outstanding, with fish available from the midshore grounds through the canyon edges. Mahi-mahi showed up in good numbers during the warmer months, and the occasional marlin and wahoo added excitement to the mix.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS & LESSONS LEARNED
This season reinforced several key principles about pelagic fish behavior and offshore fishing success. Water temperature remains the primary driver of fish distribution and behavior. The 2-3 degree above-average temperatures we experienced through late fall directly correlated with extended fish presence in our waters.
Bait availability determines predator location. The lingering bunker, squid, and other forage species kept tuna and other pelagics engaged in our offshore zones longer than normal. When bait concentrations are present, predators will remain—regardless of calendar date.
Oceanographic conditions—current patterns, water clarity, thermocline structure—create the framework for productive fishing. Understanding these factors and how they interact allows anglers to make informed decisions about where and when to fish.
Technology and fish-finding capabilities continue to evolve, but the fundamentals remain unchanged. Birds, bait, and breaking fish are still your primary indicators. Electronics help you locate concentrations and understand structure, but visual cues and water-reading skills separate successful anglers from those who struggle.
GRATITUDE TO THE COMMUNITY
This work wouldn't be possible without the offshore fishing community that shares information, supports conservation, and maintains the infrastructure that makes offshore fishing accessible. To the charter captains who put clients on fish day after day, to the tackle shops that keep us supplied and informed, to the marina operators who maintain our access points, and to every angler who practices responsible fishing—thank you.
Special recognition goes to those who contribute to citizen science efforts, report catches to fisheries managers, and participate in tagging programs. Your data helps us understand fish populations, migration patterns, and the health of our offshore ecosystem. This information is invaluable for both management and conservation.
CONSERVATION & STEWARDSHIP
As we close out the season, it's important to reflect on our role as stewards of the offshore resource. The fishery we enjoyed this year exists because previous generations practiced conservation and fought for sustainable management. We have a responsibility to do the same for future generations.
Practice selective harvest. Keep what you'll eat, release what you won't. Handle fish properly to maximize survival rates. Report your catches to contribute to stock assessments. Support science-based management. Advocate for policies that protect habitat and maintain healthy fish populations.
The offshore ecosystem is complex and interconnected. Every species plays a role, from the smallest baitfish to the largest predators. When we fish responsibly and think systemically, we help ensure that this resource remains productive for decades to come.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
The offshore season will resume in spring when water temperatures rise and pelagic species begin their northward migration. Early-season opportunities typically focus on yellowfin tuna in the canyons, with bluefin arriving as waters warm. By summer, we'll see the full suite of offshore species available across multiple zones.
Use the off-season to maintain your equipment, study your charts, and plan your trips. Review your electronics and ensure everything is functioning properly. Organize your tackle and replace worn items. Study oceanography and learn more about the species you target. The more you understand about fish behavior and environmental factors, the more successful you'll be.
HOLIDAY WISHES
To everyone in the offshore fishing community—captains, mates, anglers, families, and supporters—I wish you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year. May your time with loved ones be meaningful, your rest be restorative, and your anticipation for the coming season be high.
Thank you for your passion for offshore fishing, your commitment to conservation, and your willingness to share knowledge with others. This community is special because of people like you.
JACK'S FINAL ANALYSIS
From a personal perspective, 2025 was extraordinary. As a fisheries biologist and passionate angler, I'm grateful for the opportunity to study these fish, understand their behavior, and share that knowledge with this community. Every trip offshore teaches me something new, and every season deepens my appreciation for the complexity and beauty of the offshore ecosystem.
The work of documenting fishing conditions, analyzing environmental factors, and providing actionable intelligence is rewarding because it helps anglers succeed. But more importantly, it contributes to a broader understanding of how our offshore fishery functions and how we can protect it for future generations.
Thank you for reading these reports, for engaging with the analysis, and for caring about the resource. Your interest and participation make this work meaningful.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The offshore fishery is a gift. It provides recreation, sustenance, economic opportunity, and connection to the natural world. It challenges us, humbles us, and rewards us in ways that transcend the simple act of catching fish.
As we close out 2025, let's celebrate what we accomplished, reflect on what we learned, and commit to being better stewards of the resource. The fish will return in the spring, the seasons will turn, and we'll be out there again—pursuing pelagics, reading the water, and living the offshore life we love.
Until then, fair winds and following seas. Stay safe, stay curious, and I'll see you in the canyons when the season begins again.
FINAL WORD
This has been an honor. Thank you for your trust, your engagement, and your commitment to offshore fishing. The community we've built around these reports is something special, and I'm grateful to be part of it.
Wishing you and your families health, happiness, and tight lines in the year ahead.
Tight lines and following seas,
Captain Jack
Fisheries Biologist & Offshore Specialist
---
These reports will resume in April 2026 when the spring offshore season begins. Wishing everyone a safe and happy off-season.
