Sport Fishing: 300 Pound Black Seabass Caught, Released

The Thunderbird out of in Newport Beach slipped across the channel to the back side of Catalina on Monday night after the winds died down. On Tuesday, anglers using live squid caught a yellowtail and two white seabass, along with two black seabass—one estimated to weigh more than 300 pounds—and 42 calico bass, said David Schmitt of Davey's Locker. The black seabass were released

Schmitt said white seabass were the first of the season for the Newport Harbor open party boat fleet. The Thunderbird, he said, will fish five to six days a week through the season.

The Freelance ran a coastal trip on Tuesday with 36 anglers and landed 61 barracuda and five sand bass. The Western Pride, making a half-day coastal run with 40 anglers, pulled in 147 sculpin and 290 sanddabs.

had two coastal trips Tuesday. Anglers aboard the Patriot caught two barracuda, 20 sculpin, one red snapper and 275 sanddabs. Those aboard the Nautilus hauled in four barracuda, one sand bass, one perch, two salmon grouper and four red snapper.

Jeff Overall at Newport Harbor Kayak Fishing is reporting that the halibut bite has been steady in the harbor on plastics, and he told me that the white seabass are starting to show up for kayakers. Overall said that the seabass caught last week have all been short but the sand bass and spotted bay bass are becoming more active.

J.D. at  J.D.’s Big Game and Tackle told me water temps dropped 10 degrees because last weekends winds. J.D. said that the local coastal waters went from 64 degrees to 54 degrees.

The rough seas and winds kept most private boaters off the water last weekend according to Tracy Villoria at .

This coming weekend is going to be tough for boaters with winds predicted on Thursday and showers forecast for Saturday night and Sunday.

Schmitt of Davey’s Locker said, “the water wants to warm up but has not had the chance yet."

When it does watch out!