How to catch Bonito
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Bonito are small, fast members of the tuna family that blitz bait near the surface, a lively light-tackle target inshore and nearshore.
Where to find them
Nearshore and surface bait schools
Season
Warm months
Best baits & lures for Bonito
Cast small metal into breaking schools and retrieve fast. Long casts help reach skittish surface fish.
Timing matters as much as tackle. Baitful reads the tide stage, pressure trend, solunar windows and weather at your spot and scores the bite, so you fish Bonito when conditions line up.
Where to catch Bonito
Catching Bonito: FAQ
What's the best bait for Bonito?
Proven options include small metals, jigs, flies. Cast small metal into breaking schools and retrieve fast. Long casts help reach skittish surface fish.
When is the best time to catch Bonito?
Warm months. Day to day, moving water and low-light periods around dawn and dusk usually fish best.
Where do you find Bonito?
Look for Nearshore and surface bait schools. Anglers target them at spots like San Diego, Los Angeles, the Algarve.