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| Courtesy of California Dept. of Fish and Game |
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Common name: Yellowtail
(Other names: California yellowtail, yellowtail amberjack, forktail, mossback, white
salmon, ‘tails, kingfish, yellowtail kingfish, king yellowtail, kingie.
Scientific name: Seriola lalandi, aka S. dorsalis (in Italian seriola means : Carangidae
Description: A yellowtail has a long, aerodynamic body with a smooth pointed snout. Its mouth ends at the front edge of the pupil and its scales are small and smooth. The dorsal part of a yellowtail is bluish, greenish or muddy brown, the belly is a silvery white and a yellowish band runs down the middle form the rear of its upper lip to the upper half of it tail. A yellowtail’s caudal, dorsal, pelvic, anal and pectoral fins of a yellowtail are yellowish. Its tail is deeply forked, which acts as a powerful swimming tool.
Yellowtail fast growing, the largest record caught is 5 ft. and 80 lbs. The oldest known yellowtail was 13 years old and 4 ft. long. It is reported that yellowtail can grow to be 8 ft. long and weigh 110 lbs., although a 50 pounder is rare in Mexican waters.
Habitat: Yellowtails are can be found worldwide in warmer parts of the ocean. They are migratory and are found south of Santa Barbara, along the Baja California peninsula, the Gulf of California and along the mainland of Mexico during summer and fall. They tend to swim in and around kelp paddies, and around offshore islands and banks, where food can be found.
There also resident populations that live in and around kelp beds and structure, often referred to as "homeguards".
Reproduction: Yellowtail are sexually mature by their third year at around 28 inches, although some mature in their second year. Spawning peaks off central Baja from July to August and off SoCal in warm years.
A female yellowtail weighing 10 lbs. can produce about 450,000 eggs, however a female weighing 25 can produce over a million eggs.
Eating habit: Yellowtail will eat anything in abundant. They feed during the day on sardines, anchovies, jack, Pacific mackerel, squid and pelagic crabs.
Fishing methods, tips, and best lures and baits: Since yellowtails are found where there is an abundance of bait, the best thing to do is to troll near and around offshore islands and banks. Also, try chumming to keep them in the area.
Best times of the year for targeting this species: The best time of the year to target yellowtail is during warm summer and fall months. Since yellowtail are found where there is an abundance of bait.
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