About Cortes Bank

Cortes Bank is an outer, exposed rock flat lying roughly 100 miles offshore of San Diego, California, where the bottom rises to depths of 10 to 30 feet. The rock structure and open-water exposure draw a strong pelagic mix, with Albacore Tuna and Yellowfin tuna both peaking from June through October, alongside Skipjack tuna, Bonito, Barracuda, mahi-mahi, Blue Shark, Common thresher shark, and Opah. Anglers targeting Albacore Tuna work live bait such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerel over the shallow rock, and cover water with trolled cedar plugs, feather jigs, and skirted lures or surface iron when fish hold high. Yellowfin tuna respond to the same live sardines, anchovies, and mackerel, with trolling and jigging using heavy metal jigs or surface poppers filling in when the bite moves. The exposed position over rising rock concentrates bait and predators, making the summer-to-fall window the most productive stretch for the tuna runs.