Phil Friedman Outdoors: Channel Island Fishing Update

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Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded based on how well photos show all or a combination of: Kids Fishing, Kids and Family Values, Kids in the Outdoors, Kids in the Sanctuaries and Kids’ Conservation.

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The San Diego offshore bite continued to be hampered by some windy and rough weather. Most boats had some 5-12 pound kelp paddy yellowtail but very few bluefin tuna. When the weather is up, it can be very difficult to find the floating kelps that are home to a variety of gamefish.

The Voyager returned this morning with 9 anglers catching limits of kelp paddy fork with a few nice big fish in addition to the smaller jacks. Many other boats struggled with poor fishing however. 25-pound test with a 2-O hook and a 1/4 ounce sinker worked great.

Captain Tim Starn of the private boat Phoenix traveled from San Martin Island to Ensenada on Saturday and said the weather was horrible. 35-knots with occasional 12 foot seas. On the bright side, Tim said that the people at the Hotel Coral fuel dock were as nice as they could be and made them feel at home with that Baja Norte hospitality that I know so well. Fuel was $2.94 a gallon when you stayed for a night.

Private boater Bob Alvarez fished Catalina Island on Saturday and had the following observations. "Some good yellowtail action for a few guys east of the Isthmus. We went around to the backside, west of Ironbound Cove saw a big school of yellows cruise by the boat. No biters, I threw a dip net of live squid and they didn't even turn."

Alvarez did find some excellent bass fishing on the backside of the Island. "Good bass fishing; the calicos were nice sizers along with some goats. The water was clean and blue, good current, conditions, really thought we were gonna find a seabass or a yellow to bite but it didn't happen for us," he said.

The Gail Force had 11 yellowtail on Saturday and was just arriving at Catalina Island around 9am. The yellows were all taken on live squid.

Captain Jon Ackley called in this morning from the Westerly with excellent calico bass fishing at Catalina Island. "The calico bite was good all night long on live squid," reported Ackley. "We are in search of yellowtail now." The Toronado, Bongos and Dave Hansen Guide Service were also on scene with the Westerly.

Captain Ray Lagmay on the Toronado out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach said that he has seen some yellows around and caught one. "There seems to be quite a few yellows here and we have picked at the calico bass too." Lagmay said that making plenty of market squid for bait has not been a problem. The Toronado has trips schedule for Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday this week for $110.

Cruz Soto is on the Huntington Flats this morning and is reporting just a few sand bass and barracuda. Twilight fishing here has also been tough lately. Several other sportboat reports reflect the same.

After some excellent white seabass fishing in the Channel Islands, that bite has slowed. Commercial sources close to Phil Friedman Outdoors are reporting good schools of
barracuda with some white seabass mixed in this morning near the Ventura Flats.

The Tradition decided to fish for bottom fish on Saturday and had some fantastic local lingcod fishing catching 16 of the fine eating fish. "The surface fish will get going soon but in the meantime, we are after action and fish in the sacks for our passengers," said Jimmy Bass from Tradition Sportfishing.

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