Day Boat Gets Caught Up in Coast Guard Search, Fishing Derby Today in the OC

Redondo Special Gets Caught Up in Sunken Panga Ordeal

On Tuesday, the ½ Redondo Special was unwittingly headed for a collision course with a myriad of law enforcement agencies. Captain Brian Walker had been having excellent fishing near Bluff Cove so he pointed the bow of the ½ day boat in that direction. It was the same day that a  in the very same area where the Redondo Special had been making excellent catches. 

Walker could see there was a commotion in the distance so he lifted a pair of binoculars to his eyes. He could see two Sheriff's boats, two Coast Guard boats, two life guard boats, several paddle boarders, and a Coast Guard helicopter flying low.

To add to the spectacle, there were at least five news helicopters hovering above for live breaking news coverage.

“Damn; that’s just where I wanted to fish” said Walker under his breath.

Walker and his 23 passengers had been fishing a less desirable spot from the time they had arrived on the Redondo Special where fishing was slow. Walker decided to pull anchor and move to where the panga was now under-tow behind a lifeguard vessel.

“They're never going to let us fish here,” said 16-year old passenger Patrick Friedman. Walker moved to within 50 yards of one of the Sheriff's boats on scene and gave the order to a crew member to drop anchor. The Sheriff's personnel never said a word and the Special started catching big calico bass as well as other species too.

“It was wild,” said Ebersman. “A sunken panga was being towed off our stern, Coast Guard boats were buzzing around, and helicopters zooming overhead while we caught lots of big calico bass. Now that’s a fishing trip.”

“I’m just glad the Captain moved the boat,” said Friedman. “I caught a nice halibut for fish tacos.”

Whale Spotting News

Lots of blue whales being seen by boats from Dana Point to Santa Barbara. Harbor Breeze Cruises in Long Beach reported seeing eight blue whales on their 11:30 am, Wednesday tip.

The Voyager out of Redondo on Monday witnessed a sperm whale. Just before that, the lucky group of whale watchers also saw minke whale breach 11 times. Sperm whales, are toothed whales that prey almost exclusively on squid. They are not seen all that often off Southern California.

The whale spotted Monday off the Palos Verdes Peninsula is believed to be the same whale that has been seen multiple times in the same general area since it was first photo-documented aboard the Voyager in 1996.

San Diego and Baja Tuna

San Diego tuna have been biting better this week than they have all season. The fish are still about 120-140 miles from Point Loma but have been biting with a vengeance at times. It’s by far, the best fishing of 2011

The Pacific Voyager from Seaforth Sportfishing reported 189 bluefin tuna, 104 yellowfin tuna, five albacore, 12 dorado and 14 yellowtail for a 3-day trip earlier in the week. On Wednesday afternoon, the Islander had over 100 tuna, mostly 12 to 18-lb bluefin with a few bigger yellowfin tuna mixed in. The New Lo-An was nearing 80 tuna by 5 p.m on Wednesday and reported vast schools of the tasty tuna while the Searcher had caught limits for their 4-day trip. The Searchers limits came after only 2-days fishing.

As opposed to last week, the weather was much nicer this week facilitating the finding big schools of tuna. We also have a full moon in play which at times can spur on a bluefin bite.

Some species of fish have a penchant for biting better during full moon periods and the bluefin tuna is one of those species. White seabass and blue marlin are a couple of others fish that like dining on the moon too.

The tuna are biting near San Martin Island, 140 miles south of the Mexican/American border. The Mexican Navy has been stopping boats on a regular basis and asking for passports. For the time being, bring your passport anytime you cross in to Mexican waters.

Calico Bass

There has been very good fishing on the kelp lines from La Jolla to Palos Verdes. The key to a good bite is water temperature. You need the water to be at least 65 degrees for a good bite. Live and fresh dead squid have been the best to drawn in a catch, but anchovies and sardines have worked as well.

Surf Fishing

There has been great fishing along beaches from San Clemente to Santa Barabra in the Channel Islands. Barred perch, corbina, spotfin croaker and a few halibut have been around too. The fish bite best on 6-lb test with a #-6 hook and a ¼ ounce sliding egg sinker.

Barracuda and Sand Bass

It has been very much hit and miss. There have been excellent barracuda catches one day followed by poor fishing the next. Best sand bass fishing has been on the evening or twilight trips.

Island Fishing

San Clemente Island has been kicking out some yellowtail, good calico bass and a few white seabass.

Catalina island has been providing anglers with some good calico bass fishing along with bonito, barracuda and a few white seabass and halibut.

48th Annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby in Huntington Beach Today

The Huntington Beach Huck Finn Fishing Derby will be held at the Huntington Beach Pier this Saturday, Aug. 13 from 8am to noon. Children up to 15 years of age are welcome to this free fishing event where they can win prizes for everything from fishing to best Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher costume!   

Prizes include bikes, skateboards, fishing poles and fishing passes. Rods and reels are being provided by the Department of Fish and Game, every child in attendance will receive a free fishing trip ($60 value) from Long Beach Marina Sportfishing. Philip Friedman Outdoors will have volunteers on scene to help you catch more fish.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the end of the pier.