With a few exceptions (Like what the heck are bluefin tuna doing on The Ridge in October?), fishing this year is following a familiar pattern. Wahoo and bull dorado are showing and biting on The Ridge, big tuna are present at Guadalupe Island and Alijos Rocks (though sharks make it tough to snake a fish out of the water in both spots at times) and the southern banks remain too warm for cow fishing, though they are cooling. What's going to happen there is anyone's guess. Recent history indicates a bite on big tuna should begin within the next two or three weeks.

The yellowtail bite on the upper and mid-Ridge remains the most consistent fishing. Cedros/Benitos islands vary from poor to excellent, depending on the time of day and water conditions. Shogun recently made a catch of large yellows there. Boats are beginning to try the Hurricane Bank and offshore from Clarion Island, and the big tuna there have obliged, though you wouldn't call it red hot. Still, cows are there and the bite should pick up as more boats get into the area.

Locally, the bite at 140 to 160 miles remains a bright spot, with some very good catches made by boats on day and a half or two and three-day ventures. Bluefin and yellowfin are in the 15 to 40-pound range and biting well on some days. A good bite on kelp paddy dorado is also found in the area. This fishing may hold up until the water rolls over or some weather event comes through. Fall weather is usually pleasant, sunny and warm during the days and cool at night. It's a good time to get out after what we all missed much of the summer.