TRIP REPORTS AND CONDITIONS

What do we have to look forward to in our areas? All the speculation about the Giant Squid eating everything in sight, the cold water temps even without an official El Nino, the continued pounding of the species still exempt from the Management Programs by the sports, the voracious apatite of the Mexican Purse Seiners off Northern Baja to feed the Tuna Pens, the attack on the Sardinas off Magdelena by Mexican Commercials, and on and on.

We can’t control a lot of that so lets look at some sort of timetable again:

-Yellowtail at the Coronados is May, not March like the old days.

-White Sea Bass could show good at Catalina in Feb-March.

-Halibut used to show big at Channel Islands in Feb-March, some now.

-Calico and Sand Bass begin to bite in April and May all over.

-Barracuda and Bonito show up late May and good in June, July.

-Sand Bass (except for 2007) show big in April, May, and June.

-Yellowtail on kelps offshore June, July, August, September.

-Dorado on kelps if water in 70s July, August, September.

-Marlin on all banks offshore if water in 70s August, September, October.

-Yellowfin Tuna on all banks if water in 70s July, August.

-Albacore offshore, especially San Diego, Baja July, August.

-Yellowtail, Calico Bass, Bonito at Catalina and Clemente Islands June-October.

Huntington Flats-9 February, 2008

Picture below night before last off the Huntington Pier. I was out there at night and never did see the squid float although there were a few marks on the meter now and then. Only saw one seiner make a set right at dawn, none others. Not much of anything on the artificial reefs either. Water below 55 degrees. No wind but little else. Clearing a little. This bite may be about over for now.

Newport Shell dock had fresh frozen squid for sale.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico-7 March, 2008

Returned last night after a couple of days fishing. Sailfish both days. Lots of Bonito mixed in. One Giant Barracuda (30 lbs.) Medium tradewinds. Warm with high 80s water temp. Trolling rigged baits, circle hooks,

20 lb line. Smaller than Pacific Sails. One photo above shows large American battlewagons from the Southern States down for the season. Nice people and the Island not as touristy as Cancun on the mainland. 8 mile ferry ride. Stand up fishing, conventional TLD reels. Last week the fish only a mile off the beach, but moving around every day.

Local SoCal only sporadic bites, water warming maybe a degree. Stay tuned.

Catalina Island-21 March, 2008

Went over yesterday and spent the night in Avalon. Beautiful weather, no wind. Water temp still cold with a maximum of 58 F and a minimum of 56 F. Pretty clean but still not blue. Tried the front side with some plastics and it was dead. Four squid boats with stuff for sale off Avalon this morning. Very little on the Sea Bass from reports. Couple of Fin Back whales mid-channel but only a little bait here and there.

Rumors of the bait boat situation at Newport still circulating. Will try to find out more dope next week at the Del Mar Fred Hall Show.

Reports form the East Cape and La Paz not too swift. Unless you are a Yellowtail or Sierra. Water in the 60s there still. Winds diminishing some.

Newport-26 March, 2008

Talked to Jason Greyshock yesterday and here is the latest, straightest dope. Yes, the Pamela Rose bait boat has been sold to L.A. Bait to upgrade their capacity. But, she and crew will still operate for the Newport boats and receiver until the a new boat, being built by the Greyshocks, is finished in about July. She is being built in Oregon and will be wider and longer. Better to get bait and more capacity for commercial squid in the winter off-season.

Related info is that John has been working on the bait recently and they hope to put it in position at the jetties this weekend. Whatever, it should be out there soon. What a relief from a tough winter trying to get the fish to go on dead bait. Now, let’s have some warmer water. 57 F to 60 F most areas in So Cal.

Fred Hall Del Mar Show disappointing. Lots of venders skipped this show.

SoCal/Baja-4 April, 2008

Striped Marlin and small Dorado picked up nicely at the East Cape last week in calming seas and 66-72 F water. The fish were 20+ miles off the beach. Yellowtail are still producing closer to the shore. This should be one of the better months down there. Probably a little crowded.

In SoCal not much doing unless you like bottom fish. Water has warmed to 59-61 F and that is a good sign. The bait receiver at Newport is on site now. Not sure if it is in operation yet. Will let you know when I find out. Jason Greyshock said they saw spots of small Anchovies off Newport last week. Once the bait is

available we should see if things pick up.

Newport Harbor-12 April, 2008

Went to the big “in the water” Boat Show in Newport yesterday. A lot of eye candy, most over the head of the average person. Maybe you can pick up an idea or two. Most of these even cost dollars though. Runs through tomorrow (Sunday). Still is true that if you can take something a few years old you get a tremendous bargain. Some cabin cruisers ridiculously priced. A couple of smaller sportfishers a good value. How about a used 32 ft. Cabo for the mid 200s. Or a smaller Albemarle or Luhrs new for under two.

Beautiful sunny day with mild, warm offshore condition. Tomorrow too. Water still cold and struggling to get into the 60s most areas, including Avalon. Selling bait at the receivers in Newport now. Only gamefish is small Bonito at Catalina frontside.

Fishing Trips-21 April, 2008

See note on charter page!

Sorry folks. It’s not me. It’s an act of God. Water at 56-58 F here near the last of April. Cold water pushing down from the north below Pt. Conception. But do not feel alone. 60 F water at the border below San Diego. I am looking into taking the boat to Cabo for next winter and summer unless fishing gets better here. At least the Albacore should be good with the cooler water. Just a thought. Everyday at least one boat gets a pretty good Bonito bite at Catalina and Coronados but nothing substantial yet. You know, when the cycle turns around it all seems good again. Just ranting, I know.

SoCal-30 April, 2008

Aside from the small spot of Bonito at Catalina and a little Bonito at the Coronados and south along the Mexican shore, I wouldn’t count on much yet. A little rock cod at Clemente but that’s a long trip. The water shows a little sign of warming from Del Mar south. Only 60-61 F here though.

A few shark fishermen out, not much unless you were the diver that got hit off Carlsbad.

My charts show that even if the winter is cold, the spring and summer temps come up to normal, but the duration is shorter.

On the other hand, the Baja East Cape and Cabo is seeing water temps, at least on the inside, coming up nicely now. You know the story of the Mexican Purse Seiners that hit the small Yellowfin Tuna schools off the Rocks last week. 6-13 boats, some as big as 200 ft did a number on them. That’s sure to stir up something.

SoCal-6 May, 2008

A slight wake up in the SoCal scene. Water temps are up to 60-64 F now. A few more bunches of Bonito seen off shore and more Bonito entering into the catches at Catalina Island and off the San Onofre kelp. A few more WSB off San Onofre and the Sand Bass and Calicos are waking a bit more every day.

At the East Cape and La Paz starting to see more Marlin everyday even though few biters, except at La Paz where the 88 had some good action. A few more Dorado.