San Diego Bluefin Trips Heat Up as 130-Pound Fish Dominate Tribute Night Bite

The Tribute’s night bite sent a clear message to San Diego bluefin anglers: the fish are not just showing up, they are showing up heavy. On its May 9 report at 7:57 a.m., the boat said the first stop got its crew “butts kicked pretty bad,” but still produced 5 bluefin tuna for about 15 hookups, all in the 130- to 150-pound class.

That grade matters more than the raw count. The crew had been hoping for 50- to 90-pound fish, the kind many anglers prefer because they are more manageable and easier to build a trip around. Instead, the opening stop forced a nighttime grind against oversized bluefin, the kind of bite that changes what goes on deck before the next departure. When fish are running that large, tackle choices, leader strength and crew preparation stop being background details and become the trip.

The timing adds to the pressure. Tribute was already scheduled to roll again the next day on a 1.5-day trip departing May 10 at 5:00 p.m., and Seaforth Sportfishing listed the boat on a definite-run 1.5-day tuna and yellowtail trip that had been set to leave Friday, May 8 at 5:00 p.m. and return Sunday, May 10 at 6:00 a.m., with a fare of $555. That kind of steady booking says anglers were still willing to chase San Diego’s offshore grade even after a rough night on the heavier end of the spectrum.

The rest of the Tribute’s run shows why. A May 8 wrap-up reported 29 bluefin tuna and 11 bonito for the light-load group, and a May 7 update said, “Some guys like to knock their limit out before 0730.” Earlier in the month, on May 1, the boat had already reported bluefin tuna to 140 pounds. The pattern is hard to miss: this is not a one-off big-fish catch, but a stretch where the Tribute has been seeing strong volume and legitimate trophy-grade fish.

That broader San Diego picture backed it up. Offshore tuna reports on May 9 ranged from 25 to 80 pounds, with roughly one-third in the 50- to 80-pound class, while another San Diego boat returned with 15 bluefin over 100 pounds. Fisherman’s Landing later reported the Tomahawk with 38 bluefin, including 28 over 100 pounds, and the Constitution with 23 bluefin, including one at 200 pounds. For anglers deciding whether to book, load heavier gear or wait for a different grade, the signal is simple: San Diego’s offshore scene is offering both numbers and true heavy-grade opportunity right now.