The yellowtail bite is excellent although they have dropped in size. Many of the yellows are in the 6- to 8-pound class with about 1/3 of the yellows in the 12- to 25-pound class The weather side of North Island, the south end of North Island, the Middle Grounds, Ribbon Kelp, South Kelp, SKR and the Rockpile are all seeingexcellent yellowtail action. There is also a good-sized population of bonito around. Most are 3- to 5-pound models but there are some caught every day in the 8- to 12-pound class as well. The sea lion problem here is off the hook. They are trying to steal every single fish you hook!! Because of the sea lion problem, you might want to try trolling for those yellows on 40- to 50-pound gear and horse them to the boat as quickly as possible.