Fishing Still Booming in San Diego

Some offshore anglers may remember the 2011 San Diego season as rather ho-hum. The truth? It's the season that just keeps on giving.

First, the negatives. For the most part, the fish were small and far away this year. Add to that the no-show of the albacore tuna in San Diego, and you can see why some anglers remain pessimistic. Yet 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 aboard the First String on Wednesday morning. Schlauch said anglers caught 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.

Million-dollar angler gives winnings to crew

won more than $1 million in last week's Bisbee's Black and Blue Tournament in Cabo San Lucas with a 395-pound blue marlin taken on board his boat Tiger Spirit. It was the second largest fish of the tournament; however, Wallace had entered all the daily jackpots, resulting in his big score.

Crediting them with his big win, Wallace gave his winnings to his three Mexican crew members.

During the Bisbee's three days of fishing, San Clemente resident and captain of the Hammertime Jeff Richardson placed first in the Release Catergory. The Hammertime team caught and released one striped marlin and three blue marlins for a total of 900 points, earning the crew a check for $47,791.

Richardson not only distinguished himself as a great angler but also as a true sportsman.

Sea bass booming at Catalina

The six-pack Options out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach reeled in 17 white sea bass fishing at Catalina Island on Saturday. Don Ashley from Pierpoint said that sea bass fishing has been great for this time of the year.

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

Squid making 'a big difference' in Santa Monica Bay

Anglers are catching lots of rockfish, along with a few sand and calico bass, in the Santa Monica Bay.

"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 Beach continue to find large quantities of squid off Hermosa Beach. They have been using the mollusk to lure lingcod, vermillion rockfish and an occasional white sea bass, as well as calico and sand bass.

Quick bites

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

• The Tradition out of is out of service due to mechanical issues until further notice, according to an update posted on the Redondo Sportfishing Facebook page.

• Philip Friedman Outdoors has a special three-quarter-day trip on the Toronado out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach on Nov. 13. The trip will head off to wherever fishing is best from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Experts will be on hand to help anglers learn better techniques so they can catch their personal best. The adventure costs $67. For more information, email Philip Friedman at P976TUNA@aol.com.

• The Aquarium of the Pacific will host an evening to remember for adults 18 years and over from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Friday. The gathering will feature live music performed by bands and DJs; a live art exhibition by 25 artists curated by Mark Olivas of Unincorporated Artists Management; stencil murals by Ben Koffman of L.A. Mural Front; delectable cocktails; and a free photo booth next to the aquarium's new polar gallery, where guests can dress up in cold weather gear used by Antarctic researchers on the ice. The cost is $12.95. Drinks are sold separately. For more information, call 562-590-3100.

• On Saturday night, Harbor Breeze Cruises will take you on a spooky harbor cruise from 8 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. The $15 ticket includes free snacks, a live DJ and a full bar where guests can purchase drinks. Costumes, while not required, are encouraged, for an exceptionally ghoulish time. Call 562-983-6880 or email Admin@LongBeachCruises.com for more information.