For Southern California anglers, the past decade has been nothing short of revolutionary. Bluefin tuna are bigger and more abundant than ever, the gear is more advanced, and new techniques—like jigging with a rail rod—are rewriting the playbook.
Few people have had a front-row seat to this transformation like Captain Carl Schmidt. Now the manager of Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego, Carl has spent his life chasing fish up and down the Baja coast, from running shark diving boats to managing long-range sportfishing trips. “I started working on boats when I was ten or eleven,” Carl recalls. “By 17, I had my 100-ton license. I’ve been around this stuff my whole life.”
Now, from the deck of the Pacific Queen to the helm of the Royal Polaris, he’s witnessing the rise of a new generation of gear, tactics, and fish—and rail rods are right in the middle of it.
A Southern California Advantage
The SoCal fishery is uniquely suited for anglers chasing big-game fish without traveling halfway across the globe. Thanks to a deep-rooted infrastructure and one-of-a-kind bait access, it’s a world-class destination in its own right.
“We’re the only place in the world where you can pull up to the dock and load thousands of scoops of live bait,” Carl says. That live bait—typically sardines or anchovies—is a key part of what sets Southern California sportfishing apart.
The fish handling is top-notch, too. “Anything over 30 pounds gets bled and gutted. We don’t freeze anything. Everything goes into 34-degree RSW tanks,” Carl explains. “The product you get back? It’s sushi-grade, no question.”
Bluefin Boom and the Rail Rod Renaissance
In the last 10 years, the local bluefin tuna population has exploded. And with that has come a dramatic shift in the gear and tactics anglers use to target them.
“When I was a kid, catching a 150-pound bluefin was insane,” Carl says. “Now guys catch one that size and just say, ‘Yeah, no big deal.’” That consistency—and the sheer size of these fish—has forced innovation.
Enter rail rods.
“These rods looked like trout rods when we first saw them,” Carl laughs. “But now guys are catching 100- to 150-pound bluefin on them regularly.”
The change didn’t happen overnight. Carl credits captains like Gavin on the Pegasus and Alex on the Supreme for being early adopters. “They were the first ones willing to try something new. At first, it seemed ridiculous. But they proved it works.”
Carl, a self-described surface iron junkie, admits even he’s coming around. “I’ve never been a huge fan of jigging, but this year I’m getting a jigging rod and giving it a real shot. I caught some yellowtail on one last season and I get the appeal now.”
Controlled Chaos, Legendary Bites
Whether you’re jigging or fly-lining live bait, the action can be nonstop. “You fish for 22 hours straight, land three bluefin from 90 to 250 pounds, and walk off the boat wondering what just happened,” Carl says. “It’s total chaos—but it’s controlled chaos.”
And it’s only getting better. Carl believes 2025 could bring surprises, including something no one’s seen in years: albacore. “We haven’t caught them here in 15 years,” he says. “But with the anchovy schools moving in close, I wouldn’t be shocked if a few start showing up this year.”
Even if the albacore don’t make a comeback, yellowtail and yellowfin tuna are already arriving earlier and growing bigger. “We’re starting to see more 50- to 60-pound yellowfin. It’s crazy,” he says. “We used to have to go on 10-day trips to catch those. Now we’re catching them on full-day runs.”
High-End, Hassle-Free
One of the biggest draws for newcomers is how turnkey the whole operation can be. Fisherman’s Landing handles everything—gear, food, fish processing, and more.
“Show up with your toothbrush, and we’ll take care of the rest,” Carl says. “You can rent Shimano Talicas, Penn Fathoms, Seeker and CalStar rods—all top-of-the-line. You’ll be using the same gear the pros use in Africa or Australia.”
When anglers return to the dock, their fish are immediately handed off to professional processors, packed, and shipped if necessary. “We’ve got people from Iowa, New York, Florida—you name it. They get their fish back in hours, perfectly cut and ready to eat or freeze.”
Confidence Is Everything
Carl’s top advice for anglers, whether seasoned or new? Fish with confidence. “If you have a knot, a reel, or a rod you trust—stick with it,” he says. “If you start doubting your gear, you’re going to be out of the game mentally. You won’t fish effectively.”
Still, he encourages people to try new things, like a rail rod or jigging, as long as they commit to the technique. “I see guys cast once or twice, don’t get bit, and switch tactics immediately. You’ve got to have a game plan. Let it soak. Let it play out.”
Looking Ahead
With weather breaks on the horizon and the Supreme headed out on a three-day trip, Carl is optimistic. “We’ll know more come Monday morning,” he says. “But the signs are all there. Big bluefin, yellowtail showing up, planes spotting fish down the coast—it’s shaping up to be another crazy year.”
For those about to experience their first multi-day trip, Carl offers a knowing smile. “You’re going to get off the boat and go, ‘What the hell just happened?’ It’s that intense. And once it gets into your blood, you’re hooked for life.”
If you’re ready to level up your gear and tactics, now might be the perfect time to grab a rail rod and find out what all the buzz is about. Because if the past decade has taught SoCal anglers anything, it’s that the game is always evolving—and the next big bite could be just one cast away.
