Freedom and private boaters enjoying white seabass bite

05/20/2012

Freedom and private boaters enjoying white seabass bite

The Freedom had 1-fish limits of white seabass at Santa Barbara Island this morning in perfect weather. "We have 16 seabass on deck and the small boats around me are all hooked up," reported Freedom skipper Tom Lee just before he limited out of the giant members of the croaker family. Lee reported many of his seabass in the 30-40 pound class.

The Freedom's catch represents the best score for one of the larger sportboats in 2012. "It really looks good over here," said Lee. "It's bite time.

In addition to the white seabass, there has also been a good sprinkling of yellowtail. The Freedom has two yellowtail on board and several private boaters have scored fish too. Most of the yellowtail have been 10-20 pounds.

Captain John Ackley of the Westerly out of Long Beach Sportfishing was at Catalina Island on Friday and reported a lot of 8-12 pound yellowtail on the front side of Catalina. Ackley had 70 calico bass, 1 yellowtail and lots of rockfish to boot.

The Thunderbird out of Davey's Locker in Newport Beach had 2 white seabass and 1 yellowtail at Santa Barbara Island on Saturday as it appears that the So Cal saltwater scene is starting to wake up.

File photo of white seabass taken in a prevoius year on board the 6-pack Options.

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