Warmer waters

Mid channel waters are holding good numbers of blue water game

fish as the “Indian Summer” fishing period continues to produce

warmer water and calm seas.

Marlin have moved into fishable waters off the east end of San

Clemente Island and are spread out over high spots all the way down

to La Jolla.

Anglers competing in the Drambuie 2002 Catalina Classic held this

week reported seeing many billfish, but the bite was off for most of

the 108 boats that competed in the event that was won by the team on

the deluxe yacht Puritan XI when the team weighed in a striped marlin

at the dock in Avalon scaling 186 pounds.

Sport boats fishing out of Newport Landing Sportfishing, Bongos

Sportfishing Charters and Davey’s Locker are returning with a mixed

bag of small game fish consisting mostly of calico and sand bass,

sculpin, some legal barracuda and an occasional yellowtail hookup for

the three-quarter and half-day boats. Over-night trips are still

fishing for albacore and bluefin tuna some 60 miles out of Newport.

Local anglers catching albacore this week were Doug Matthews of

Costa Mea who decked a 26-pound albie that jumped on a Zuker black

and purple lure trolled off the stern of a private 25-foot Skipjack.

Also scoring on a hefty longfin was John Williams of Newport Beach,

who hooked into a 25-pound longfin fishing off the east end of San

Clemente Island while aboard a six pack charter boat.

There are big schools of yellowfin tuna popping up between the

islands but these fish are not ready to start biting as there is

ample bait in the channel. The water temp is now up to 70 degrees and

there could be great fall fishing for yellowfin for private yachts

trolling through schools of dolphin or casting sardines to breaking

fish under birds.

Albacore counts are still up for the San Diego-based fleet which

caught early five-fish limits during mid-week action. The day boat,

Prowler, running out of Fisherman’s Landing, was back at the dock at

6:30 p.m. on Wednesday with full limits of albacore weighing in the

12- to 23-pound class for all anglers on board.

The schools of albacore that are currently holding just below the

Mexican border could move up this coming week and action on the 43

Fathom spot should produce good late-season albie fishing as the

longfins continue a northerly migration off the coast.

Harbor area anglers looking for a free day of fishing along the

California coast don’t have an excuse for not grabbing some tackle

and heading out for a day of fishing today.

The California Department of Fish and Game will require no license

or conservation stamps in hopes of introducing someone to the

fabulous sport of fishing. All other regulations, such as seasons,

bag limits and legal measurements remain in effect.

Anglers Center in Newport Beach will be holding a huge Tuna

Seminar & Sale on Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The day will be filled with salt water fishing experts who will

share their knowledge of angling.

One of the key speakers will be Tim Ekstrom, who will be talking

about long-range fishing and the new fishery being developed off

Panama.

Dennis Braid will be covering all the basics of big game fishing

and equipment.

All seminars are free and there will a lot of free tackle raffles.

And, good discounts on all fishing tackle will be offered by just

about every manufacture in the sports fishing industry.

Anglers Center is off old Newport Blvd. More details and to make

reservations for a luncheon to be served across the street at the

Chicken Coop Restaurant, call (949) 642-6662.