Tunaslam Corner
by Cory Visser
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“TUNASLAM CORNER”
Thursday Report-Weekend Possibilities
for the Santa Monica, Long Beach and Local Islands of Catalina and San Clemente
Islands!
Catalina
Alas the season has changed, with falling day time temps, recent blows, foggy nights, and shorter days. Although surprisingly the waters remains fairly warm for this time of year, mid 60's, yet the expectations for Yellowtail and White Seabass at Catalina are diminished. A lot of folks have hung up their gear for the winter, however, for those who fish year round , there is almost always something to fish for. The landings are finding it difficult to get out with few reservations, yet when they do, it is often rewarding. Most of the activity at Catalina encompasses the chase for Bonito, Bass, Rockfish and for those private boaters that find nighttime hooping for lobster, a fun pastime.
Although the Bonito bite is hit and miss at times, there has been one good count this week. The Pursuit out of 22nd street landing in San Pedro had good success on Monday, 11-09-09, with a great catch of 138 Bonito, plus a variety of other species. The Freelance out of Davey's locker fished Catalina on Weds. and caught 92 Bonito.
Slow, slow, slow for the private boater scene at Catalina, with no recent reports.
San Clemente Island:
The Yellowtail fishing at San Clemente has been a year to remember for both quantity and quality. If the timing is right and the current is running in the right direction, the bite in Pyramid Cove and other areas on the backside has been unending. I can't remember when there was squid at the islands so late in the year, all the way into September, normally by the end of June, they are gone, which has provided such a good catch ratio. The yellowtail are still there, at least as of last Sat. 11-07-09, as the charter boat Dreamer, out of Pierpoint Landing, found ten yellowtail that wanted to play. The previous week the charter boat Options had a good catch of Yellowtail. Of course finding passengers willing to go, remains a problem this time of year.
As recently as the end of October, when Newport Harbor still had live bait, the Calico Bass fishing was off the charts. I joined Dave Robinson on his private boat “Hooked” for some excellent limit style Calico Bass fishing up to 6.5 pounds. All released. The last few weeks, without access to live bait, the trips have been relegated to both deep and shallow water rock fishing, which is always available at the Island. The water temps remained in the 64 to as high as 68 degrees in places, allowing for continued good fishing. There have been no other reports both private or from sport fishing landings.
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On the local scene!
Long Beach:
No recent reports of bonito being found, has lead to most sport boats targeting Sand and Calico bass, to go with sculpin and rockfish to fill out the sacks. Most of the bass fishing is found on the various reefs and other structure where they spend the year, when not spawning.
Lal on his private boat “Rubber Ducky” fishes the bass year round on plastics, and for him limits are the norm. He generally fishes both four inch and five inch swim-baits from various manufacturers. For the local structures and reefs he prefers the clear red flake color, which seems to perform best. Lal practices catch and release, and strongly urges others to do the same, although taking a few for dinner is certainly considered normal.
Halibut fishing is generally considered off season right now, yet the fall does produce some nice fish at times. Dean fishing on his private boat “Bank Robber” fished on Sat. 11-07-09, using the bounce ball technique. It was slow, finding mostly shorts for his efforts, yet did get rewarded in late afternoon with a big one, not weighed, but looking to be around the 20 lb. size range. A 27 lb. halibut was caught by the sportfishing fleet on Weds.
Santa Monica Bay/Redondo
Similar to Long Beach, the Bonito bite has dried up for the mean time, thus the targeted fish are again, Bass, Sculpin and Rockfish. This week the catch on the Rockfish have been quite good, with very few bass.
Private boater reports from this area have been equally MIA this week. Vince on his boat “Red Drum” is one of the best around in fishing structure and the various reefs in the bay. Vince also enjoys fishing with plastics, as well as some bait fishing, and like Lal practices catch and release on the bass. The reefs hold an enormous variety of fish, and often provide Vince and crew with some delicious fish taco opportunities. A few of Vince's recent trips in late October produced some quality Calico, Sand Bass, and other critter fishing, as well as good lobster hooping.
Weekend Weather Forecast!
Between several weather sites there are conflicting forecasts for this weekend, although most predict Sunday to be better than Saturday. Local and offshore forecasts call for windy conditions in the afternoon for Saturday, 10 to 15 with gusts to 25. I suggest you check weather condtions again on late Friday before planning a trip for Sat. and plans for Sunday are a go at this time, however, it is best to always check whenever possible!
Hook up! Cory
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