Still Time for Late Season White Seabass

The 6-pack Options out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach had 17 white seabass last Saturday fishing at Catalina Island. Don Ashley from Pierpoint said that seabass fishing has been great at times for this time of the year.

“Both Catalina and San Clemente Islands have been producing some very good seabass fishing during the past week,” said Ashley. “Several private boaters have had big hits on the white seabass using live squid for bait. This is darn good late seabass fishing.”

Newport Beach Landing has been producing some excellent sculpin and rockfishing. The local bite has been good as has fishing at Catalina and San Clemente Islands for bottom grabbers. There has also been a few bass and an occasional halibut too.

Some offshore anglers may remember the 2011 San Diego season as rather ho-hum but the truth is that it’s the season that just keeps on giving. For the most part, the fish were small and far away this year. Add to that there was no show for the prized albacore tuna and you can see why some anglers remain pessimistic. But here we are at Halloween and the San Diego fleet is still catching limits of yellowtail along with some dorado and tuna.

“It’s a very late season and could keep going for a while,” said Captain Chuck Taft from the Sea Adventure out of H & M Landing. “If we stay away from any winter storms, it could be tuna for Thanksgiving.”

Tom Schlauch from Long Beach returned to San Diego from a six-day trip on Wednesday morning on board the First String. Schlauch said they started out catching huge sand bass along the Baja coast, followed up by wide open yellowtail at Cedros Island and very good offshore fishing for tuna, yellowtail and dorado.

won over $1 million in last week's Bisbee’s Black and Blue Tournament in Cabo San Lucas with a 395-pound blue marlin taken aboard the boat Tiger Spirit. It was the second largest fish of the tournament but Wallace had entered all the daily jackpots resulting in his big score. Wallace gave his winnings to his three Mexican crew members to whom he credited his big win.

During the three days of fishing off the Bisbee's, San Clemente resident and Captain of the Hammertime, Jeff Richardson, placed first in the Release Category. The Hammertime team caught and released one striped marlin and three Blues, for a total of 900 points earning them a check for $47,791. Richardson not only distinguished himself as a great angler but also as a true sportsman.

The Santa Monica Bay has been producing great fishing for rockfish with occasional flurries for sand and calico bass too.

“I can’t remember a time when we have had so much squid,” said Redondo Special Captain Eric Hobday. “There is no question that having that squid for bait is making a big difference here.”

Boats fishing near Palos Verdes and Redondo continue to find large quantities of squid off Hermosa Beach. They have been using it to lure lingcod, vermillion rockfish, an occasional white seabass as well as calico and sand bass.

Philip Friedman Outdoors has a special ¾ day trip planned for Nov. 13, on the Toronado out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach. The trip will head off to wherever fishing is best from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Experts will be on hand to help you learn better techniques in catching your personal best. The adventure costs $67. For more info on this trip email P976TUNA@aol.com .

On Saturday, Oct. 29, Harbor Breeze Cruises will take you on a spooky Harbor Cruise from 8 to 10:30 pm. The cost of $15/person includes free snacks, a live DJ and a full bar where you can purchase drinks. Costumes, while not required are encouraged so that you may have an exceptionally ghoulish time. Call (562) 983 6880 or e-mail Admin@LongBeachCruises.com for more info.