Santa Rosa Island Yellowtail

A little out of date but wanted to share a cool adventure this last August to Santa Rosa Island. The research i did told me that Bechers Bay near where I was camping was known for some big butts! Fishing a 3 way set up bouncing off the bottom with a full squid I hooked into a yellowtail! First one and not expected so didn't know what to make of the fight...striper on steroids! After several good runs and a fiery fight I finally got him netted, 28 inches. Filleted on the beach and shared with the other 10-12 campers making me camper of the day.
I wasn't aware that yellowtail where that far north but evidently with some warmer water they were in the area. Great fish and I'm definitely heading down to San Diego next year to go after some more!

Thats awesome. Id b interested to hear more about your yakcamping trip to the Island. Alwys wantd to do

Yellowtail are certainly more common farther south and/or when the water is warmer.  However, there are supposedly some "resident" schools among the Channel Islands.  (according to the locals) I saw schools at both Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands this past week during a lobster trip.

Hey Hey!  That YT tasted great.  Good to see you on here bro.  Lets go crabbing soon!

that's a great catch.
Did you land it right in the middle of Becher's ?
I can see the pier and the ranger trailers on the bluff. Nicely done!

How did it taste though??

Dream catch. Well done!

Thanks for the report and picture Justin.

Was in about 40 feet of water straight off Bechers Beach...yes that is the landing pier the boat brings you in on, AND the reserve boundary (North/East). I think it was island hoppers or whoever runs the boats out of Ventura Harbor for the park service. There is little camping, about 8 sites, about a mile walk from the pier, had to reserve in advance...fresh water and outhouse. They took the kayak over for about $30 round trip....~$120 me and yak round trip. I stayed two nights three days and fished two mornings, got a big ray and small rock in kelp bed. Wind was a problem and my understanding can get  real bad, your biggest hurdle there. Great adventure overall but a bit of production with the kayak for what could potentially get shut down but wind and sea.