When bluefin are off Newport Beach
Pacific bluefin tuna fishing out of Newport Beach runs from June on, according to Newport Landing’s tuna fishing page. Harbor and launch details are on our Newport Beach port page.
From June on
Newport Landing puts the start of the bluefin season at June and carries it forward from there. The wider Southern California run is covered in our Pacific Southwest bluefin guide (see also the wider Pacific Southwest guide).
Summer and fall
Davey’s Locker Newport Beach trips catch bluefin on full-day and half-day trips in summer and fall. That puts the fish within reach of a day boat, though it says nothing about where they sit on a given day, and that changes.
Grounds and structure from Newport Harbor
The named grounds for this port, in order outward, are the Newport Harbor entrance, Newport Beach Pipe, Newport Artificial Reef, Salt Creek, Cortez Bank and Tanner Bank. The first four are local reference points on the way out. Cortez Bank and Tanner Bank are the offshore banks.
| Name | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Newport Harbor entrance | 60 ft | At the harbor entrance |
| Newport Beach Pipe (Santa Ana River mouth) | 30 ft | At the Santa Ana River mouth |
| Salt Creek | Hard-bottom area noted for halibut |
The Chart Contours layer shows the bottom around each of these marks. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Newport Harbor entrance
Every run starts here, at 60 ft.
Newport Beach Pipe (Santa Ana River mouth)
The Pipe sits at the Santa Ana River mouth in 30 ft of water. Treat it as an inshore reference point.
Newport Artificial Reef
The Newport Artificial Reef is named structure near the port.
Salt Creek
Salt Creek is a hard-bottom area noted for halibut. It is a local reference point.
Cortez Bank
Cortez Bank is an offshore bank among the named grounds for this port.
Tanner Bank
Tanner Bank is the second offshore bank on the list, alongside Cortez Bank.
How bluefin are fished and who fishes them out of Newport Beach
Two landings, Newport Landing and Davey’s Locker, run the open-party trips here, and private boats fish the same water. Davey’s Locker catches bluefin on full-day and half-day trips in summer and fall, so pick a trip length that matches the formats the fleet runs.
- Newport Landing: open-party trips from the Balboa waterfront
- Davey’s Locker: full-day and half-day trips
- Private boats: the same water, on your own schedule
Kite, troll and chum methods, plus the fish’s biology and migration, are in our Pacific bluefin tuna fishing guide.
FAQ: bluefin tuna fishing out of Newport Beach
When is bluefin season out of Newport Beach?
From June on, per Newport Landing. Davey’s Locker reports bluefin on full-day and half-day trips in summer and fall.
Can a half-day trip find bluefin?
Davey’s Locker says bluefin are caught on half-day as well as full-day trips in summer and fall. The fish move from day to day, so a half-day trip gives you a chance at them, with no guarantee.
Which named grounds should I plan around?
Inshore, the Newport Harbor entrance (60 ft), Newport Beach Pipe at the Santa Ana River mouth (30 ft), the Newport Artificial Reef and Salt Creek. Offshore, Cortez Bank and Tanner Bank.
Where are the rules for bluefin out of Newport Beach?
CDFW sets the state rules, and federal HMS rules apply beyond state waters. Check both before fishing.
Do other tuna show up out of Newport Beach?
Davey’s Locker’s summer and fall reports cover yellowfin as well as bluefin. Our tuna fishing guides cover other species and ports.
