11-02-2012, 04:01 AM
From the one and only Captain Jeff Jones of captainonboard.org
Catalina, SBI and SCI Fish Reports
Fish Report for Thursday, November 1st: I will be putting up breaking news reports as I get them, but probably will back off on the daily grind of doing reports. Just not much to talk about. Check everyday so you don’t miss something.
Catalina: Most guys making the run are catching plenty of squid and then ending up fishing rockfish. There are still some yellows and seabass on the back, east. Not much being caught, but as usual, the divers are seeing them. Lobster guys are doing well, even with the full moon and calm seas.
Local: Squid. Lots of squid inside the 150 in around 100′ of water (I said inside the 150). No seabass mixed here, trust me. With light boats and seiners working this every night, there is no way in hell there is a seabass within miles of this place. Anyone says they caught one here, is flat lying. Newport Reef, that’s a different story. Where most guys should be spending their time if they want to catch a seabass, is the breakwall. Outside the wall, usually around the gaps is really consistent this time of year. They are there now.
OFFSHORE: Basically over. I mean, if someone called and wanted me to run their yacht for $500 a day with strippers included, I’d try to talk them out of it. (not the stripper part). Wanna get your paperwork dialed in and take the boat to the Cape, fishing along the way, that my friends is a different story.
Fish Report for Wednesday, October 31st:
Made the mistake of “testing” out the candy to see if it was safe, and caused myself a sugar induced nap around reporting time.
Everything from yesterday is the same, only slower. Things are really getting closer to winter that fall fishing. Guys out tuna fishing and catching nothing, guys local getting skunked. A few however finding a fish here and there, and that keeps us going. I am ready for some boat work. HAPPY HALLOWEEN GUYS!!!!
Fish Report for Tuesday, October 30th: The report below will sound like things are really good and that there is lots of fish to catch. The reality is that there are a lot of guys fishing and very few are catching. Other than some thick fog this morning, the weather remains incredible.
CATALINA: The main focus has been on the East End, and for good reason. Barracuda moved into this area a couple weeks ago and some big score are now being put up. The yellows are there, and in with the cuda, but not biting very well. Seabass too are around the East End, but only a select few have been able to connect (isn’t that always the case?) For the best chance at an exotic, please use live squid. Its at Catalina to catch at Little Harbor and the Isthmus. Its in other areas too, and plenty of it. Focus your efforts from Church Rock to the 3rd “V” and fish hard around high tide periods, very early morning or late afternoons. Otherwise, things will seem dead.
OFFSHORE: A puddle of warm water remains around the 1010 Trench. There are some yellowfin and even a few bluefin in this puddle. Of course there are heaps of micro yellowtail on the kelps, and just a few dorado leftover. Otherwise, if you want a real chance at a tuna, you’ll need to start below the Lower 500 and work down to off San Martin Island (40 miles off the beach). I did talk to a guy (that would know such things) that there are a LOT of marlin being seen right now. He mentioned the 14, 209 and 181/182. Nobody I know is even looking.
SMB: A score on the seabass yesterday at Rocky Point and the secret is out. Lots of squid up in the bay, and guys have been picking away quietly at the seabass since the wind stopped.
LA/LB/HB/NB Coastal: Still plenty of squid in front of LB. Don’t worry, you’ll see where it is. 100′ of water between the Horseshoe and the Flats. A few seabass taken as recently as this morning from Newport Reef. Otherwise slow. This is the time of year we see good seabass fishing on the breakwall, and the divers are seeing them. Slow trolled baits along the outside of the BW or drifting with live squid (outside the trap line) works well. Fishing the LB Gap has been a real “go to” in past years. Halibut are in the skinny water with the post full moon grunion run. Live smelt is a KILLER bait, as smelt are very closely related to grunion (halibut can’t tell the difference). You’d almost be better off surf fishing, the halibut are so shallow right now.
Fish Report for Monday, October 29th:
Local: I fished local with a tank of cured sardines and struggled. I had a report that there may be some seabass outside the breakwall and we looked. We also looked at a wreck down off Huntington, and had just a pick on the small calicos, even though there was some volume of nice bass there.
![[Image: 102_1047-270x300.jpg]](http://captainonboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/102_1047-270x300.jpg)
Wreck bass marks.
No doubt a tank of live squid would have made a huge difference in our day. The fleet of commercial squid guys is still parked in 100′ of water, right outside the east end of the breakwater. Water temps were is the 64 degree range, so don’t expect it to be a bonanza. I did observe the group of boats below us on Newport Reef, fishing seabass. I chose not to take a look without a tank of squid. Finally, we looked for a thresher and never connected. Like I said a few days ago, its the guys that aren’t looking that are finding them. Weird, right?
Catalina: Again, don’t bother without a tank of live squid. We know for a fact that there are seabass and yellows here, the divers are seeing and getting them. This last moon phase should have produced better scores, but it only provided a sample of what is really here. Those who saw the writing on the wall and went rockfishing instead, were glad they did. As always, if you want to catch a seabass or yellow, its about finding the conditions, not spots. East end is where the exotics were last, so start there. *Update* A couple charter boats came back from Catalina today with good numbers of barracuda and a few seabass/yellows. They were fishing east. So if you are in the barracuda, you’re in the area.
Offshore: With the incredible weather this weekend, many went out and looked hard for the tuna. Most (if not all) found the little skipjacks and rat yellows. Those who went long found a few yellowfin. The last of the good volume of fish is now below San Martin, and its fading fast. Hurricane Paul did little to push the fish up the line. Its time to make your appointment at the shipyard for a haulout, and start prepping for that trip down to Mag Bay you’ve been talking about all these years.
Other News: There is squid up in SMB (Santa Monica Bay) and the guys up that way are looking hard for a seabass. Some are connecting, and keeping it quiet. Hermosa, Manhattan Beach and Rocky Point are all areas to look at. *Update* The 1/2 day run out of Redondo connected with 8 seabass, and along with the other fish in their count it is obvious they were fishing PV. Look at Rocky for the conditions.
Fish Report for Saturday, October 28th: Just FYI, I did post a report yesterday but apparently it didn’t upload. I should have checked. My bad!
Catalina: I sent a few guys over to look around East today and have not heard anything back yet. The East End get the least amount of wind and was already holding seabass/yellows, so we are hoping it’s still good.
Offshore: Really good VHF reception today, and I’m chillin’ in the shop listening to plenty of guys catching yellows on the inside around the 425 and 371. The water on the outside was completely unaffected by the winds, and remains warm at 70 +/- degrees on the 1010. Some bigger grade yellowfin caught today, just less volume.
Fish Report for Thursday, October 26th: Sick day! I spent most of the day in bed. After looking at the wind models for today, I got the feeling nobody would be going out anyways. So I took my cold medication and passed out.
Fish Report for Wednesday, October 25th:
More of the same but with some really great weather coming. This weekend should have good enough weather to get a lot of guys out and looking. My guess is that some seabass will be found and plenty of yellows at Catalina.
Catalina: Its the divers seeing all the yellows, and really nobody has put together a good score with rod and reel. A 1st quarter moon phase in full effect this weekend might change that. Get the live squid if you want any chance at all for an exotic (or even fair bass fishing). Squid is still in the Isthmus and Little Harbor. Yellows East and some seabass East around back. West has been looked at for nothing. Middle of the front there are some small yellows, but really not biting that good.
Offshore: More than enough tuna around to justify a trip offshore. The 1010 and 213 still has some stragglers, but at the 238/295 its pretty good. Kelps have those tiny yellows and a few dorado. There may be more fish in other areas, but no way of knowing until someone goes and looks.
Local: The coastal seabass deal got real quiet. Either it ended or is full rack. Those guys are so good at keeping it quiet, you gotta take your hats off to them for that. Halibut is good inside LB Harbor with some threshers still. Rockfish on the 150 if you are really desperate.
SCI/SBI: Quiet. Like I said above, that could mean its either good or bad. With the weather outlook for this weekend being so good, why not go take a look.
Fish Report for Tuesday, October 24th:
Lots of guys getting ready for the nice weather this weekend. Lets hope the fish cooperate. For the coastal seabass deal, read below and the previous days reports. The only thing that has changed is the squid seems to have dried up on the coast.
Offshore: If you are planning a trip offshore I think you’ll do well. The 1010 up to the 213 sounds good with kelps holding and yellowfin on the porpoise. Below that off Ensenada sounds better with more yellowfin and jig strikes, plus a better grade of fish on the kelps. Go for it!
Local: Fair halibut fishing continues along with some fun thresher fishing. From inside LB Harbor all the way south to the HB Pier its good. Just find the bait and you are in the zone. Otherwise its rockfish on the 150, and there have been some nice lings caught recently. Bigger baits and jigs work well for these tasty fighters.
Catalina: Same as yesterday. Small yellows on the front from Little Gibraltar to Yellowtail Point. The bigger stuff isn’t biting as well, but for a shot at a 35# yellowtail you’ll need to spend your time down east. A few seabass up the back east too, and the ones I’ve seen look pre-spawn. Could be some good scores if those things get into spawn mode. Live squid is at the Isthmus and Little Harbor. With the nice weather coming, Little Harbor might be the better choice, especially if it blows offshore a little bit. Make sure to fish while making bait, there may be some trophies around the bait.
Fish Report for Monday, October 23rd:
Coastal Seabass: Here is the deal guys, the TANKERS are biting. Either find the squid and fish where the squid is for a chance at the fish of a lifetime, or get on a trip with someone that knows this stuff. I admit this is not my area of expertise, and would highly recommend that you consider a private charter with one of the pros at coastal tanker fishing. Brandon Hayward has been on the seabass all year and has openings. Give him a call 1(949)212-0719. Here is Brandon’s website, please check it out. One Man Charters. Another pro at this seabass deal on the coast is Barry Brightenberg 1(619)540-8944. Website: Always An Adventure is Barry’s charter business. The reality here is that this is not my neck of the woods, and for me to send a bunch of people down to where these guys make a living and feed their families is just plain wrong. I do not want to be the one responsible for an angry mob like the ones earlier this year.
CATALINA: Now we’re talking my neck of the woods. Some really big yellows here down east. They are moving around so you’ll have to find the current and clear water. On the back there are some seabass mixed in with bigger yellows, and lots of barracuda around the whole East End. The squid you’ll need is in the Isthmus from the High Spot all the way to Emerald, and at Little Harbor. There is squid in other areas too, and lots of it. Up west got looked at a lot with very few fish seen or caught. That stuff either moved or is taking a break. On the middle of the island there are some 5-10lb yellows. Look from Red Bluff to Yellowtail Point for these fun little guys.
Local: Still great halibut fishing inside LB Harbor and south to the HB Pier. A few threshers around to eat your halibut baits, but again, small pups so don’t go out and kill a bunch of them. Bite times are early morning and late afternoon. Mid day there is a debilitating low tide that won’t help you with much.
Catalina, SBI and SCI Fish Reports
Fish Report for Thursday, November 1st: I will be putting up breaking news reports as I get them, but probably will back off on the daily grind of doing reports. Just not much to talk about. Check everyday so you don’t miss something.
Catalina: Most guys making the run are catching plenty of squid and then ending up fishing rockfish. There are still some yellows and seabass on the back, east. Not much being caught, but as usual, the divers are seeing them. Lobster guys are doing well, even with the full moon and calm seas.
Local: Squid. Lots of squid inside the 150 in around 100′ of water (I said inside the 150). No seabass mixed here, trust me. With light boats and seiners working this every night, there is no way in hell there is a seabass within miles of this place. Anyone says they caught one here, is flat lying. Newport Reef, that’s a different story. Where most guys should be spending their time if they want to catch a seabass, is the breakwall. Outside the wall, usually around the gaps is really consistent this time of year. They are there now.
OFFSHORE: Basically over. I mean, if someone called and wanted me to run their yacht for $500 a day with strippers included, I’d try to talk them out of it. (not the stripper part). Wanna get your paperwork dialed in and take the boat to the Cape, fishing along the way, that my friends is a different story.
Fish Report for Wednesday, October 31st:
Made the mistake of “testing” out the candy to see if it was safe, and caused myself a sugar induced nap around reporting time.
Everything from yesterday is the same, only slower. Things are really getting closer to winter that fall fishing. Guys out tuna fishing and catching nothing, guys local getting skunked. A few however finding a fish here and there, and that keeps us going. I am ready for some boat work. HAPPY HALLOWEEN GUYS!!!!
Fish Report for Tuesday, October 30th: The report below will sound like things are really good and that there is lots of fish to catch. The reality is that there are a lot of guys fishing and very few are catching. Other than some thick fog this morning, the weather remains incredible.
CATALINA: The main focus has been on the East End, and for good reason. Barracuda moved into this area a couple weeks ago and some big score are now being put up. The yellows are there, and in with the cuda, but not biting very well. Seabass too are around the East End, but only a select few have been able to connect (isn’t that always the case?) For the best chance at an exotic, please use live squid. Its at Catalina to catch at Little Harbor and the Isthmus. Its in other areas too, and plenty of it. Focus your efforts from Church Rock to the 3rd “V” and fish hard around high tide periods, very early morning or late afternoons. Otherwise, things will seem dead.
OFFSHORE: A puddle of warm water remains around the 1010 Trench. There are some yellowfin and even a few bluefin in this puddle. Of course there are heaps of micro yellowtail on the kelps, and just a few dorado leftover. Otherwise, if you want a real chance at a tuna, you’ll need to start below the Lower 500 and work down to off San Martin Island (40 miles off the beach). I did talk to a guy (that would know such things) that there are a LOT of marlin being seen right now. He mentioned the 14, 209 and 181/182. Nobody I know is even looking.
SMB: A score on the seabass yesterday at Rocky Point and the secret is out. Lots of squid up in the bay, and guys have been picking away quietly at the seabass since the wind stopped.
LA/LB/HB/NB Coastal: Still plenty of squid in front of LB. Don’t worry, you’ll see where it is. 100′ of water between the Horseshoe and the Flats. A few seabass taken as recently as this morning from Newport Reef. Otherwise slow. This is the time of year we see good seabass fishing on the breakwall, and the divers are seeing them. Slow trolled baits along the outside of the BW or drifting with live squid (outside the trap line) works well. Fishing the LB Gap has been a real “go to” in past years. Halibut are in the skinny water with the post full moon grunion run. Live smelt is a KILLER bait, as smelt are very closely related to grunion (halibut can’t tell the difference). You’d almost be better off surf fishing, the halibut are so shallow right now.
Fish Report for Monday, October 29th:
Local: I fished local with a tank of cured sardines and struggled. I had a report that there may be some seabass outside the breakwall and we looked. We also looked at a wreck down off Huntington, and had just a pick on the small calicos, even though there was some volume of nice bass there.
![[Image: 102_1047-270x300.jpg]](http://captainonboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/102_1047.jpg)
Wreck bass marks.
No doubt a tank of live squid would have made a huge difference in our day. The fleet of commercial squid guys is still parked in 100′ of water, right outside the east end of the breakwater. Water temps were is the 64 degree range, so don’t expect it to be a bonanza. I did observe the group of boats below us on Newport Reef, fishing seabass. I chose not to take a look without a tank of squid. Finally, we looked for a thresher and never connected. Like I said a few days ago, its the guys that aren’t looking that are finding them. Weird, right?
Catalina: Again, don’t bother without a tank of live squid. We know for a fact that there are seabass and yellows here, the divers are seeing and getting them. This last moon phase should have produced better scores, but it only provided a sample of what is really here. Those who saw the writing on the wall and went rockfishing instead, were glad they did. As always, if you want to catch a seabass or yellow, its about finding the conditions, not spots. East end is where the exotics were last, so start there. *Update* A couple charter boats came back from Catalina today with good numbers of barracuda and a few seabass/yellows. They were fishing east. So if you are in the barracuda, you’re in the area.
Offshore: With the incredible weather this weekend, many went out and looked hard for the tuna. Most (if not all) found the little skipjacks and rat yellows. Those who went long found a few yellowfin. The last of the good volume of fish is now below San Martin, and its fading fast. Hurricane Paul did little to push the fish up the line. Its time to make your appointment at the shipyard for a haulout, and start prepping for that trip down to Mag Bay you’ve been talking about all these years.
Other News: There is squid up in SMB (Santa Monica Bay) and the guys up that way are looking hard for a seabass. Some are connecting, and keeping it quiet. Hermosa, Manhattan Beach and Rocky Point are all areas to look at. *Update* The 1/2 day run out of Redondo connected with 8 seabass, and along with the other fish in their count it is obvious they were fishing PV. Look at Rocky for the conditions.
Fish Report for Saturday, October 28th: Just FYI, I did post a report yesterday but apparently it didn’t upload. I should have checked. My bad!
Catalina: I sent a few guys over to look around East today and have not heard anything back yet. The East End get the least amount of wind and was already holding seabass/yellows, so we are hoping it’s still good.
Offshore: Really good VHF reception today, and I’m chillin’ in the shop listening to plenty of guys catching yellows on the inside around the 425 and 371. The water on the outside was completely unaffected by the winds, and remains warm at 70 +/- degrees on the 1010. Some bigger grade yellowfin caught today, just less volume.
Fish Report for Thursday, October 26th: Sick day! I spent most of the day in bed. After looking at the wind models for today, I got the feeling nobody would be going out anyways. So I took my cold medication and passed out.
Fish Report for Wednesday, October 25th:
More of the same but with some really great weather coming. This weekend should have good enough weather to get a lot of guys out and looking. My guess is that some seabass will be found and plenty of yellows at Catalina.
Catalina: Its the divers seeing all the yellows, and really nobody has put together a good score with rod and reel. A 1st quarter moon phase in full effect this weekend might change that. Get the live squid if you want any chance at all for an exotic (or even fair bass fishing). Squid is still in the Isthmus and Little Harbor. Yellows East and some seabass East around back. West has been looked at for nothing. Middle of the front there are some small yellows, but really not biting that good.
Offshore: More than enough tuna around to justify a trip offshore. The 1010 and 213 still has some stragglers, but at the 238/295 its pretty good. Kelps have those tiny yellows and a few dorado. There may be more fish in other areas, but no way of knowing until someone goes and looks.
Local: The coastal seabass deal got real quiet. Either it ended or is full rack. Those guys are so good at keeping it quiet, you gotta take your hats off to them for that. Halibut is good inside LB Harbor with some threshers still. Rockfish on the 150 if you are really desperate.
SCI/SBI: Quiet. Like I said above, that could mean its either good or bad. With the weather outlook for this weekend being so good, why not go take a look.
Fish Report for Tuesday, October 24th:
Lots of guys getting ready for the nice weather this weekend. Lets hope the fish cooperate. For the coastal seabass deal, read below and the previous days reports. The only thing that has changed is the squid seems to have dried up on the coast.
Offshore: If you are planning a trip offshore I think you’ll do well. The 1010 up to the 213 sounds good with kelps holding and yellowfin on the porpoise. Below that off Ensenada sounds better with more yellowfin and jig strikes, plus a better grade of fish on the kelps. Go for it!
Local: Fair halibut fishing continues along with some fun thresher fishing. From inside LB Harbor all the way south to the HB Pier its good. Just find the bait and you are in the zone. Otherwise its rockfish on the 150, and there have been some nice lings caught recently. Bigger baits and jigs work well for these tasty fighters.
Catalina: Same as yesterday. Small yellows on the front from Little Gibraltar to Yellowtail Point. The bigger stuff isn’t biting as well, but for a shot at a 35# yellowtail you’ll need to spend your time down east. A few seabass up the back east too, and the ones I’ve seen look pre-spawn. Could be some good scores if those things get into spawn mode. Live squid is at the Isthmus and Little Harbor. With the nice weather coming, Little Harbor might be the better choice, especially if it blows offshore a little bit. Make sure to fish while making bait, there may be some trophies around the bait.
Fish Report for Monday, October 23rd:
Coastal Seabass: Here is the deal guys, the TANKERS are biting. Either find the squid and fish where the squid is for a chance at the fish of a lifetime, or get on a trip with someone that knows this stuff. I admit this is not my area of expertise, and would highly recommend that you consider a private charter with one of the pros at coastal tanker fishing. Brandon Hayward has been on the seabass all year and has openings. Give him a call 1(949)212-0719. Here is Brandon’s website, please check it out. One Man Charters. Another pro at this seabass deal on the coast is Barry Brightenberg 1(619)540-8944. Website: Always An Adventure is Barry’s charter business. The reality here is that this is not my neck of the woods, and for me to send a bunch of people down to where these guys make a living and feed their families is just plain wrong. I do not want to be the one responsible for an angry mob like the ones earlier this year.
CATALINA: Now we’re talking my neck of the woods. Some really big yellows here down east. They are moving around so you’ll have to find the current and clear water. On the back there are some seabass mixed in with bigger yellows, and lots of barracuda around the whole East End. The squid you’ll need is in the Isthmus from the High Spot all the way to Emerald, and at Little Harbor. There is squid in other areas too, and lots of it. Up west got looked at a lot with very few fish seen or caught. That stuff either moved or is taking a break. On the middle of the island there are some 5-10lb yellows. Look from Red Bluff to Yellowtail Point for these fun little guys.
Local: Still great halibut fishing inside LB Harbor and south to the HB Pier. A few threshers around to eat your halibut baits, but again, small pups so don’t go out and kill a bunch of them. Bite times are early morning and late afternoon. Mid day there is a debilitating low tide that won’t help you with much.
