VIDEO: Dolphins Surf, Mola Mola and Great Rockfishing

Good fishing for rockfish dominated the Southern California coast last week providing anglers with excellent tablefare. There are more than 60 species of rockfish found in Southern California waters, all of which make for great eating. Boats from the Channel Islands to Baja California experienced summerlike weather and very good bottom-fishing this past week.

Marina del Rey Sportfishing reported very good lingcod fishing last Tuesday afternoon from the Tradition out of Redondo Sportfishing. Jimmy Bass from Tradition Sportfishing says one of the best ways to catch a big lingcod is to bait your hook with a freshly caught sand dab.

“Over and over again, a sand dab for bait will produce a fat ling.”

Vast amounts of krill six to seven miles from Long Beach last week made for spectacular whale watching. Captain Chris Batts from Harbor Breeze Cruises called in from the whale zone on Wednesday morning and said he had seen at least 15 whales surface and lunge feeding.

“I’ve seen blue whales, fin whales, humpbacks and minke whales this morning,” he said.

Whale watching was excellent off Dana Point, Laguna, Newport Beach, the Santa Monica Bay and Santa Barbara too. It looks like a fantastic time to get out on the water and see these truly magnificent creatures.

Nine-year-old Hector Medina and his 11-year-old brother Manual were out with their parents Gabriela and Hector on the ½ day boat City of Long Beach recently and were treated to not only great fishing and weather, but also some great sights. The two brothers from Carson, CA saw hundreds of dolphin, a school of mola mola, giant container ships, a beautiful sunrise and of course caught lots of fish.

“I just want my boys to develop a love for the sea,” said dad Hector.

You’ll not only see a variety of rockfish taken in this video update along with the enigmatic mola mola, you may also catch sight of the fastest man on a filet board anywhere.