Hunting Yellowtail

The Yellowtail (Seriola Lalandi) is a member of the Jack family, and is also known as "Kingfish" in some parts of the world.

A very muscular and powerful "schooling fish," the average size in Southern California waters is about 15 pounds, but they can reach 80 pounds, and the New Zealand variety, a whopping 100 pounds. They are a beautiful fish, with iridescent colors of blue and green, and the distinctive yellow stripe along the sides and, of course, the "yellow tail."

They favor the warmer waters of places like Mexico, migrating up to our waters in the summer, and are definitely more prevalent during "El Niño" weather events. Aggressive feeders, they grow rapidly, maturing in two or three years. Their life span is said to be up to 10 or 12 years. Some fish are taken by scuba divers, but most are speared "free-diving."

Unlike some other species, they are a curious fish, and can sometimes be attracted by various methods. Slapping the water with your hand to simulate bait fish feeding is one way. (Caution: Don't use your free-diving fins for this; it may crack them. So will jumping feet first off a boat. Use other entry methods.) "Strumming" the rubber slings on your gun may also get their attention. Or try taking a glove off and wiggling your fingers at them or tapping your gun butt on the weight belt, etc.

After a fish has been speared, others will sometimes hang around briefly. By managing your fish (not retrieving it right away), another diver can take advantage of this behavior and also be able to take a fish. They always seem to be bolder when schooling and are easier to get close to. The bigger fish seem to be in smaller groups, singles or pairs, and are usually more wary, but not always. Sometimes, especially if the location is not hunted much, they may (if you're lucky) swim right up to you.

I have found that the schools will approach me from behind, and then cross in front of me, with the last members of the school coming close enough for a shot. They like to hang out around pinnacles and points that are close to deeper water but usually from the surface down to 20 to 30 feet is where they will be (in the warmer water).

To hunt, free dive down to about 30 feet and practice spending some "hang time" at that depth. If you can do this your chances are greatly increased of capturing a fish. If you have access to a private boat, "Paddy" jumping can be quite productive, not to mention exciting. Look around for free floating "kelp paddies" in the open water. It's the only place for the bait fish to hide! I've found bigger paddies are the best.

You will need a large speargun that is rigged for game fish. As I mentioned earlier they are very powerful and can easily be lost if you are not using the right equipment. Be sure to use a detachable spear tip (with coated cable to help prevent the fish ripping free) and a heavy spear shaft.

For your own personal safety, you should be aware that a large yellowtail is quite capable of pulling you under the water. Once these fish are hit they can explode in a demonstration of speed and power. When the fish wants to go one way, and you need to go up to breathe, that is why a float, with line or reel is highly recommended.