Florida angler in 'state of shock' after landing giant yellowtail at Alijos Rocks

Ron Anderson (pictured at left) was exhausted and "in a state of shock" when he saw the size of the yellowtail he had hooked at Alijos Rocks while on a recent 10-day Penn Fishing University excursion into Mexican waters aboard the American Angler out of Point Loma Sportfishing in San Diego.

It weighed 71 pounds and is among the largest yellowtail caught this year aboard any of San Diego's long-range sportfishers. The Coral Gables, Fla., angler used a dropper-loop rig and 50-pound-test line with a sardine for bait.

"I knew he was really big when I hooked him, I guessed about 50 pounds," Anderson said. "He kept taking line against a tight drag for 20 minutes."

Steve Carson, director of the Penn program, reports that all anglers did well after a persistent wind subsided. The vessel docked with limits of yellowtail, near-limits of yellowfin tuna to 101 pounds, 14 wahoo to 75 pounds, and an assortment of other game fish, including dorado and amberjack.

The long-range season is entering its prime months.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Ron Anderson (left) and crewman Cameron Cribben display the giant yellowtail caught at Alijos Rocks. Credit: Steve Carson / Penn Fishing University

Comments

[apacheinga]

California yellowtail Seriola lalandi ? Pleeze add Mossback to Wiki so I can figure out what it is. 10 Q !

[Apex Predator]

Now *THATS* a mossback! Great pic Pete, keep 'em coming!