2008 Fishing News Archive
October 13 - Final Report
It's always difficult when the LA Basin is shrouded in the smoke of wildfires, but that's where we find ourselves this evening. We'll leave the coverage of that news to the folks who do it best, but our hearts are with those at risk. In the meantime, we'll stick to what we know - marlin.
The arrival of the Santa Ana winds are best known for their role in driving SoCal's signature fires, but they also often signal the departure of the marlin from our local waters. Sketchy weather conditions kept most boats off the water, but those who did venture out had little to report. We're at that point where every marlin that is caught could be the last one of the season.
Those boats that did head out worked the same areas where the fish have been for the last month - off the west end of Catalina and up towards the Boot, the 270 and the 286. While there was still birds and bait, the marlin seemed to have moved on. This late in the season, it's unlikely that many boats will be left on the water to scout out where they've gotten to. Unless they slide down the coast where they're vulnerable to anglers working the inshore banks, we may have seen the last of them.
One of the biggest reasons that there are fewer boats on our waters is that the first of the Cabo tourneys begins later this week. The Los Cabos Billfish Tournament is the first of a half-dozen events that will be based out of Cabo San Lucas before the end of the year, and gives all the gringo anglers a chance to get their Mexican sea legs back. BAD COMPANY arrived in Cabo last week where it met up with its blue-hulled twin, the new CROW'S NEST. Yup - now there's two of them. Also on their way down is the EPYC mothership PACIFIC PROVIDER, which has a much more adventurous trip. Ever since it arrived on the scene last spring, the PP has tried to be wherever the action is, and last week it achieved that goal in spades. They arrived in Mag Bay just in time to welcome Hurricane Norbert - a Category 2 storm than made landfall just a couple of miles north of the anchorage.
It was an interesting time to be sure, but for a boat originally built to chase Bering Sea crab, nothing it couldn't handle. As PROVIDER's captain, Rich Austin put it, "I am in 90 feet of water with 675 feet of inch-and-a-quarter chain. My combined weight in the water is in excess of 9,000 lbs and I am fully stretched on the rode. However, she is riding as expected and we are completely safe, watching the show go by."
Can someone please explain to me why every time the hills start to burn in SoCal, the politicians all don turnout coats and do news conferences from the burn zone? Do they really think we think more of them for doing that? Frankly, I'd rather they were in their office doing their jobs and left the press briefings to the professionals ...
At this point in the season, you never know which report is going to be the last one, so let me take a moment to thank each of you for your support. Your membership in MNAC is the lifeblood of the site. Your membership fees allow us to perform the upgrades necessary to keep us competitive, and your participation provides us with the essential information and opinion we need to insure we're moving in the right direction. This offseason will be a busy one for us here at the Home Office, and we'll be looking to you for opinions on some of the options we have as we move forward. Keep your eyes on the forums for posts about how you can provide your opinions on the upgrade decisions.
Now that the season is winding down, it's a good time to compare your results for the season with those we've got for you over on the Billfish Release Board. If you don't see any of your releases listed, use the release reporting form to tell us about them so you can get the credit you deserve. If your fish is there, but doesn't have a "$" next to it, drop us an email with the missing details and we'll get you entered in the drawing. That goes for tournament releases as well, as we've added all the releases from the big three Avalon tournaments.
October 9
Welcome to the melancholy days of the season. Maybe it's going ... maybe it's gone. Good thing you can find out for sure in this latest edition of the SCMO Fishing News
(cue overly-dramatic theme music)
It's late in the season, and everyone is starting to jockey for position to see who's gonna release the last marlin for the year. Normally, that means one of the hard cores (read: HOOKER, PESCADOR, WAIT-N-SEA), and all those guys are out pounding the marlin grounds midweek. But with the bite convenienely staying close to the beach this year, they're getting a lot of company.
Incoming!
Following the successes of the last weekend, most boat continued to work the west end of Catalina, focusing on the waters between the 270 and 286. We don't usually get marlin this far north this close to the beach - you could practically gyro the fleet from the beach right in front of the Home Office here in Redondo. It's a real attractive nuisance for many an office-bound angler, and the fleet was at least double the normal midweek size. It was the same "chase the sauries" story as it had been last weekend, but the marlin are at least taking mackerel when slipped back in the pattern.
A couple of things could shake things up a bit for the weekend. During the week, the tides were particularly flat, meaning there was little water movement to influence the fish. That will start to change this weekend, and it remains to be seen how it will affect the marlin, both for bite and location. Also, Hurricane Norbert is scheduled to make landfall Saturday on the lower Baja California peninsula. The track makes you think the remains will stream up into New Mexico, but similar storms have ended up with the moisture being sucked into Southern California in the form of thunderstorms. Again, we don't know, but it'll have some kind of effect.
Wouldn't you just love to be one of those tourney boats headed south right into the path of Norbert right about now?
Damn ... Chase Utley just crushed a 2-run homer against Derek Lowe. And the Dodgers were looking so invincible, too ...
Stick a fork in the meat fishing for 2008. When all the headlines are about the great catches on multi-day trips, well, that's a little out of my range. Nice of the yellowfin tuna to hang on until the lobster hoop netting season was here, though. I've not been out myself, but I hear there's some pretty good hooping in Avalon, of all places. Just make damned sure you not only have your licenses and nets, but also catch cards for every member of the crew. And you just know the DFG is out there looking for any way to make up for budgetary shortcomings.
Frak - now Pat Burrell just hit one out! C'mon Joe - bring on that managerial magic!
We talked early about being melancholy about the pending end of the local marlin season, and that's a feeling I get for the site this time of year as well. Like the streets of Avalon, we get a lot of seasonal visitors who will leave us shortly after the marlin, and it'll be down to me and the regulars. But it's a pretty amazing bunch of regulars - many of the biggest names in the business.
I never cease to be amazed by the tackle makers who drop by to share their experience and knowledge. As you learn their stories, you can't help be impressed at the incredible amount of time, research and labor they've put into their products. The artistry is incredible.
Finally - a good place for the round SCMO logo!
Sometimes, though, those artists arise from the strangest places - like right here. Matt Holcomb was an amateur rod builder in East Texas looking for a new challenge when he stumbled across SCMO and was exposed to Ron, Roddy, Erik and Papa. Seeing their passions translated into functional works of art stirred something in Matt, and he was off on a new path. Many of you are fortunate to now pull some of his creations in your spreads, and now it looks like I'm going to be lucky enough to do the same. I just can't say enough about someone who can translate a thought in their head into such an artistic expression. I'm lucky if I can tumble out a coherent thought through the keyboard and onto this page ... :-)
The irony is that I had no idea the impact SCMO had had on Matt until recently. I was reading a Marlin Club thread between Matt - over there, he's "bulldogbacchus" - and Paco Saca, and noted Paco's comment about his lures. Next thing you know, I have new jewels for the pattern. That just reinforces my feeling that the best things about this place have nothing to do with money or advertisers or numbers - it's about people, and the connections we can make. When I look at the friendships developed, the opportunities realized, and the dreams realized through this site, I am simply humbled just to be a part of it ...
As we've seen all too clearly in the last few months, the economy is cratering. Coming into the season, our biggest worry was whether or not we could afford the fuel to run our boats; now the worry for many is whether they'll be able to keep their homes. It was inevitable that there would be fallout for the fishing community, and now we see concrete proof. Western Outdoor News has cancelled their Offshore Shootout at Catalina Island, scheduled to be contested this weekend, for a "lack of pre-event interest and signups". Lord knows the fishing is as hot as organizers could have hoped for, so there's only one real culprit left. Whether it be boat manufacturers with decreasing sales, banks unwilling to provide financing for new boat purchases, or owners who simply can't afford the expenses of a boat, we haven't seen the end of the impact of the current financial straits by a longshot.
Final score: Phillies 3, Dodgers 2. @#$%!!!
I have a good feeling for the weekend - the sun should be a-shining, the fish should be a-biting, and the Trip Reports should be a-filing ... good luck!
October 6
Just when you thought it was safe to start taking the tackle off the boat ...
We had a little burst of activity this weekend, as the marlin bite off the west end of Catalina fired up once again. PESCADOR and a few others had found success during the week, and those willing to spend the fuel to make the long run were rewaded for their efforts. The main portion of the bite was around 37/37, or between the 270 and 286. Frankly, I can't remember the last time Redondo Beach was the closest port to the bite, but you won't hear me complain - especially since we're launching my brother's Skipjack from King Harbor on Wednesday ... :-)
The boats working the area reported that the marlin were chasing the sauries, so rather than gyroing the fish, you just looked for the jumping baits. The marlin weren't really interested in mackerel, though, so the hot ticket was to drag the lure spread through the sauries looking for either a jigstrike or a marlin up in the pattern, as they would accept greenies when they were slipped back into the spread. That worked for xJEWELLURE, who got their first bait fish of the season there on Saturday. TEAM OKUNA, HOT SPOT, SOUND INVESTMENT, FLYING FISH and SHOWDOWN all released marlin there on Saturday, as did HAWK and PROSPECTOR on Sunday. Didn't include yours? Shoulda filed a Trip Report or replied to the Info Ping ...
Batten the hatches.
You can tell it's almost tourney season in Los Cabos, because the hurricanes are starting to stack up. It was Tropical Storm Norbert when I took the picture, but he's Hurricane Norbert now and he's going to take a right-hand turn into the peninsula this weekend. Amazing to me that almost every season the tip of Baja takes a hit from a hurricane, but just keeps bouncing back. The first of the string of Cabo tournaments is next week, and we'll be talking more about them then. Most of the SoCal tourney marlineers have already started the trip south, as has the EPYC mothership PACIFIC PROVIDER, which is going to hang out in Mag Bay for a while. Must be nice!
It sounds like the meat fishing season may finally be winding down. When the folks on the other forums start talking about bonito, you know things are getting slow. But this one will be one for the record books - every bit as amazing as the marlin season has been. And there are still a few yellowfin tuna out on the Airplane Bank if you really gotta have some. Me? I think I'll go troll at the Trader Joe's Bank ...
I've mentioned a couple of times recently that this offseason will probably be a big one here at SCMO. We do all of our retooling during the slower winter months, and with the site getting a wee bit long in the tooth, I think there'll be a lot of changes coming. That's where you come in - we want to know what you want to see. SCMO has always been a collaborative effort, and this is a perfect time for you to make your voice heard. We'll be asking for your input in a couple of weeks, so be thinking of ways we could improve things, features that you've seen elsewhere that you'd like to see here, what you like and don't like, etc.
Something fishy's going on at the Pesky ...
We love pictures here at SCMO, and are always happy when people send us their fishing photos for inclusion here in the Fishing News or elsewhere. In fact, photos are the driving force behind some of the largest changes coming this winter, as we'll be adding a photo hosting service. But we loves us some photos.
This time of year, there are lots of pictures to be had, and some are more special than others. I refer, of course, to your pictures from the Pesky. As you may know, I also run the official tournament website for the Los Pescadores tournament, and we take pride in finding just the right shot to make the winning angler look as silly as possible. Frankly, that's usually not too hard, considering the folks we get in that event ... :-)
Anyway, if you have any interesting shots from the event, we'd love to get them. They can be serious fishing shots, silly party shots, embarassing bribery shots - whatever. Take this one from the Marlin Club, for example. I'm not sure - either this is Armando paying me his MNAC membership dues, or me slipping 'Mando $5 to go make the fat girl put her shirt back on. That's the beauty of the Pesky ... neither of us know for sure. The panicked look in our eyes tends to make me think it's the latter, though ...
October 2
I'm in a software conference and away from the keyboard all week, but I set up the BlackBerry for just such an opportunity, so let's see if it'll work in this "cut-to-the-chase" edition of the SCMO Fishing News.
The season's winding down, and so are the opportunities to catch a SoCal marlin. There are really two stories to watch going into the weekend. The first is the bite at the Boot Bank which seems to have picked up again. PESCADOR released at least five marlin there Tuesday and Wednesday, and HOOKER may have released one there as well - there's probably a message waiting for me with the details back at the Home Office ... :-) The key has been "find the sauries, find the marlin" - just as it was during the Catalina Classic. The marlin are chasing the schools of shimmering baitfish, and when you see them flying out of the water, you can bet there's a reason. Soak a bait and have some fun.
The other story is the weather. The Boot is a pretty much exposed area, and weather tends to affect it more than the other spots that have some protection from one island or another. All week, we've enjoyed Santa Ana-like conditions with an offshore flow and temperatures in the triple-digits. That should all change starting today, and by the weekend we're predicted to have rain. I've caught my share of rainy-day marlin, so it's not that they don't bite in the rain. However, the storms that bring the rain often affect the offshore conditions, pushing the marlin to God knows where. So while they might be there and on the chew right now, there's no guarantee they'll be there this weekend.
Since I can't focus on the fishing right now, I'm filling the off-time between sessions working on site plans. I'm putting together my State of the Site message, where I'll outline some big changes that are on the horizon. Look for it in the forums sometime in the next week.
Time to run to the next session - I envy those of you who are heading offshore this weekend - or this hour. If this works the way I planned, the poll should pop up right after this sentence. If it does, please be good enough to reward my hard work by using it!
September 29
The days are getting shorter, and that means fewer opportunities to catch marlin before they head out for another year.
We saw the first "winter-like" mini-storm of the season roll through this weekend, and it had an impact on the fishing. While the Catalina Classic field was able to catch over 100 marlin, the combined fleets for the Tuna Club and Mission Bay Marlin Club were barely able to top 10. The water temperatures are down on several of the previously hot fishing spots, and the marlin have clearly moved. The big question is have they just moved, or have they moved out ...
Man - that's not good. Four seconds into Monday Night Football, and they're carting off a Steeler strapped to a backboard. Never forget what a brutal sport football can be ...
Ghost from the deep.
There was a smaller fleet this weekend, and they were scattered much further than in the last few week. Most started in the same general region where the marlin were last seen, off Finger ... er, Eagle Rock near the west end of Catalina. But while some fish were caught there, it was pretty clear that there wasn't nearly the density of marlin seen only a few days earlier. There were some groups of tailers seen off the west end and out towards the Boot, often seen chasing schools of sauries. Unlike earlier in the week, though, they weren't biting nearly as much. That left boats wondering and wandering, and some found success. xJEWELLURE released one on the 286, and OFFSHORE got one making the crossing back home from Avalon. CONCUBINE released a pair off the west end, one of which is seen at right. It's very much like it was earlier in the season - a wide distribution, but no real concentration.
Weather was an issue this weekend, and will likely continue to be for the rest of the season. There was no sky to speak of, which makes collecting sea surface temperature and chlorophyll density impossible. That means no hints to temp breaks, and makes it less likely that the fish will be found. Plus, it's just plain cold. I hate it when I have to fish for marlin in long pants ... brrr!
One of the joys of running this site is helping people catch their first marlin. I like to say that anyone can do it, and point to myself as the most obvious example. But it took me nearly a decade - and a lot of frustration - to get that first.
Even a blind squirrel can find a nut ...
We heard from a pair of anglers this weekend who shared their mixed experiences at getting that first fish. Behdad Khojasteh - you may know him from Pacific Edge - was fishing solo on his 24-ft Skipjack UNREEL last Thurdsay off the west end when he hooked a marlin. Anyone who's ever tried to singlehand a marlin knows how hard it can be - and how lucky you must be to be successful. Imagine having it be your first! He fought it for 45 minutes before it made a run towards the boat faster than he could react, and the lure dropped out. You'd think he'd be disappointed, but you'd be wrong.
"100' away from making the highest goal I've set for myself yet happen, so close!!! Still had a smile on my face all the way home, all night and I bet even in my sleep."
And that's what it's all about.
Meanwhile, MNAC member Frank Scifres was fishing on DESPERADO only a few miles from UNREEL. They got a jigstrike in the fog, and lost the fish after an hour and fifteen minutes. But while the sun wasn't shining, the Marlin Gods were, and two hours later, Frank gets bit.
"Twenty minutes later we release the fish in perfect condition and I’m no longer a virgin.
Some days, I get frustrated - I don't want to do an update, I can't get some software to work, I'm pissed because we don't get more traffic. But then I hear stories like this, and remember why I do this in the first place.
September 25
We're feeling the post-tournament withdrawls here at the Home Office, and based on the small number of boats fishing for marlin this week I suspect we're not alone. That means good news for you, because this report will be short ... :-)
This is the last weekend of the local tournament season, and there are three club events. The Tuna Club will hold their Hunt Tournament out of Avalon, while San Diego will play host to a pair of events - the San Diego Marlin Club's Small Boat Tournament and the Mission Bay Marlin Club's Charity Heart Marlin Tournament. We should have the results for you next week. Once those are gone, though, it's the end of the tourney trail until mid-October when the money players reconvene in Cabo San Lucas.
If you're heading out this weekend, I don't think I need to tell you where to go. Just in case you've been in a coma for the last few weeks, though, I'll suggest you start off around the west end of Catalina off of Ribbon or Eagle Rocks. That last one is referred to by many of us as "Finger Rock" - if you've seen it, you know why. There haven't been many boats out this week, but those that were reported seeing groups of feeders there. That makes sense, since the fishing moved closer to the island each of the four tournament fishing days last weekend. The really amazing thing is that tourney anglers could catch nearly 150 marlin in four days, and there's still more left to be caught.
Sad times indeed.
With all of the excitement of tournament season, it's easy to forget that there are places where our fellow fishermen are struggling.
Hurricane Ike smacked the Texas coast very hard, and while we're all thrilled that the casualty count is small, the damage is nonetheless devastating. Many parts of the region remain without basic utilities like water and power - including Houston, the fourth largest city in the country. It's clear that the Texas coast will be in recovery mode for a long time - long after the attention of the nation has moved on.
In the weeks after Hurricane Katrina dealt its deadly blow to New Orleans, we ran a Red Cross banner in our advertising pool to help raise funds for the area. We're running it again, and I would encourage you to click on it when you see it and give what you can. If you're just too impatient to wait for it, you can visit the Red Cross directly. On behalf of all our friends in South Texas, thank you.
We haven't talked about it much with all of the tournament action, but there are still folks catching tuna in local waters - at the end of September! Down south, the yellowfin tuna were wide open at the 302, among other spots. The amazing this is how far north they can be found. The 209 and 277 were both holding tuna last weekend, and there were scattered reports that they were on the 279 as well. Most incredible story? Several boats fishing marlin up at the 172 had yellowfin tuna hit their marlin jigs!
Don't forget: lobster season opens Saturday - time to pull those hoopnets out of storage. The best part? Those stinky dead mackerel decaying at the bottom of your bait tank are absolutely the best bait. Trolling for marlin all day ... hoopin' for bugs all night. Life really is good ...
Bad news, Trojan Fan - USC is getting their ASS handed to them by Oregon State. Not even Oregon - Oregon State. As Chris Berman so elegantly puts it, "Dat's why dey play da games ... "
If a water pump repair goes well, I'll be out on the water Sunday, giving the finger to Finger Rock. Hopefully, we'll be able to get the first marlin for my brother's Skipjack - what a great way to wrap up the season!
But as the season winds down, I'm already looking ahead to the offseason. It's going to be a really big one here at SCMO - the first major overhaul of the site since 2002. A new web host. New programs. New features, including several you've been asking for over the last few years. Exciting ... scary ... expensive ... :-) Much more to follow, you can be sure!
September 23
It's all a bit overwhelming at times.
All day long, the anglers in the Catalina Classic described the fishing using a single word - epic. And for once, I can't disagree - all I can do is try to describe it. So I will, in the only way I know - the SCMO Fishing News!
(cue theme music)
Between the Pesky over the weekend, and the Classic the last two days, I have so much data crammed in my skull it feels like it's gonna explode. I've been working several computers, a laptop and a BlackBerry at the same time, and it all gets a bit much after a while. So let me start to puke some of this stuff out so I can make room for more.
Let's go back a couple of days and start where we left off - last Thursday. In the wake of the Zane Grey, the fleet all knew the marlin were off the west end of Catalina. For the last couple of weeks, the main body had moved up and down the back side of the island, and for the moment were stalled out around the 125. Boats looking to pre-fish for the weekend were greeted with beautiful weather on Thursday, and several were able to convert - including yours truly, who released one off China Point in the morning. Things looked pretty good for the first day of Pesky fishing on Friday.
Oh, what a difference a day makes. As we pulled out of Avalon Harbor at dawn on Friday, there was already a brisk wind blowing. Poking our nose around the east end, we were greeted with large, short-period swells - the worst kind. Last year's Pesky came on the heels of an early Alaskan storm, but I can't imagine worse conditions than what we had on Friday - when you're burying the bow ona 46-ft boat, it's nasty.
You always know when it's the Pesky ...
Give credit to the tenacity of the Peskys. Although many were turned back by the wind and swells - which ran down both sides of Catalina - some intrepid souls managed to make it all the way up to the Boot Bank, where they were rewarded with good fishing. Fifteen marlin were released on Friday, most either on the Boot or up the ridge from the west end. The one marlin that died during the fight turned out to be a 230-lb beast that would have been the envy of the money tourney anglers.
On the second day of the event, the weather was a bit bettter, and the fishing a bit slower. But there were still another 10 marlin released by the fleet. At the tourney banquet Saturday night, Shane Melton was awarded the Golden Bagel as the top angler with two released marlin. He was the first two-time winner, and a back-to-back champion as well. We'll watch him go for a three-peat next season.
I'm happy to say that the post-tourney events were for the most part legal, and I believe all anglers made it safely to their boats. As in years past, we've presented our Real Pesky Awards over in the MarlinBlog. All I can say is this is the one event you want to fish.
Most of the anglers from the Pesky woke up Sunday morning with no greater worry than where to find a decent Bloody Mary. But for those anglers who were doubling down and fishing the Catalina Classic, Sunday afternoon marked the start of tournament festivities. On the same Descanso Beach Club grounds where only hours before the Peskys had revelled, Classic anglers competed in skill contests including casting accuracy and knot tying. But the afternoon's fun was only a preface of the epic days to follow.
On our way home on Sunday afternoon, HOOKER crossed over the 125 and 286 spots on the road to San Pedro. We saw nothing, of course, but the weather was beautiful - a far cry from only 48 hours earlier. As we rounded the west end, I knew that if you combined those conditions, and the fish that you just knew were there, with talented anglers, dedicated crews and trained bino users something magical would occur. And occur it did!
Do not get between a girl and her fish.
The Classic has a shotgun start, and at dawn nearly 50 boats roared away from Avalon. As you might expect, most made a hard left turn and ran at speed up the inside of the island and towards the west end. The Boot, which had produced so well in the Pesky, was off the grid for this event. However, the boats pushed as close as they could to the sopt, hugging and in at least one case crossing the grid line. I was never able to identify the boat, but one vessel realized they'd strayed a quarter-mile across the northern edge of the grid. In an amazing act of sportsmanship, they voluntarily disqualified themselves and spent the rest of the day back at the island catching bait.
Those who stayed in bounds were rewarded with some of the best fishing I've seen in my lifetime. Thirty-seven marlin were released on Monday, and an amazing fifty more on Tuesday. The incredible part is that most of the fish came from a very tight area off the west end - many described it as similar to the competitive nature of Mexican fishing down on the Golden Gate Bank. Boats were often hooked up in close proximity - often fighting multiple fish - while others jockeyed for position around them. A lot of fish were lost, but I didn't hear of a single case of one competitor cutting off another - another sign of the sportsmanship present amid the competition.
Unlike the other two professional tournaments run out of Avalon, the Classic required a boated fish for the top prize, and unfortunately quite a few marlin were brought to the scales. I decided that I would try and keep an open mind as they did the weigh-ins, but the steady stream of undersized fish made that impossible. There were just too many marlin that not only weighed under the 165-lb limit, but also measured under the 84-in minimum. The current rules penalize a team 15 pounds on their next fish in such "double under" cases, but I think that's not enough. I favor disqualification - if you can't figure out how long your marlin is, don't kill it. Rod Halperin and the Offshore Tournaments team have worked hard to refine the rules, and I will work with them in the coming year to find better methods for eliminating such needlessly killed marlin.
Over the course of the event, 22 fish were brought to the scales. The largest fish of Day 1 was one of a trio of marlin boated by GAMBLER, and weighed in at 192-lbs. Unfortunately for them, it was only good enough for second place, as larger fish were landed on the final day of the event. The largest fish was caught by Randy Bixler, fishing on LA DULCE VIDA, and it tipped the scales at an impressive 206-lbs. Bixler and his team got a scare later in the day when MIZPAH brought another large fish to the scales. They started breathing once again when it came close but short at 205. In a serendipitous twist, the event - sponsored by Mikelson Boats - was won by a 43-ft Mikelson.
It was an amazing weekend on so many levels. At the Pesky banquet and afterparty, I had the chance to meet many people I'd only known electronically, including Rod Halperin and Jason Jepson from Offshore Tournaments and John Eppehimer and Bryan Rose from Sportfisherman.com. Watching the jobs those guys do on the Catalina tournaments, and with bringing the words, pictures and video to the world, is really humbling. It really make me realize how much the technology game has changed in the last few years, and just how far behind the curve we are here at SCMO. I find that both challenging and frustrating, because I know there's a lot of work ahead of me and I don't know if in the end it will even pay off. But I guess we'll just have to see ...
With the big events behind us, we can all take a deep breath and relax for a moment. But don't wait too long - there's still a lot of marlin to be caught, and we'll be back on Thursday to talk about where you should go next. And it's only three weeks to the first of the Cabo tourneys ... stay tuned!
September 17
That sound you hear is Homeland Security offloading an LCAC full of gear at Pebbly Beach. That can only mean one thing - the Peskys are invading Avalon this weekend. And I'm typing all kinds of strange words on a Wednesday night. That can only mean one thing - it's the day-early, pre-Pesky edition of the Fishing News!
(cue Pesky-appropriate theme music)
The Zane Grey Invitational wrapped up today, and while lots of boats had their shots, it was the same name at the top of the leaderboard in the end - BAD COMPANY. They were marvels of consistency, releasing four marlin each day for a total of 12. GAMBLER needed overtime, but released their sixth fish of the tournament 17 minutes after lines out to tie with GOOD KARMA and C-BANDIT with 6 releases. Tie breakers placed GOOD KARMA in second place and C-BANDIT in third. A total of fifty marlin were released over the three days of fishing, and none were deemed large enough to kill for the scales. Now, that's what I call good news! The fishing was all on the backside of Catalina, with the school moving further northwest each day. By this morning, the bite was up between the 172 and the Boot Bank. That was as far north as the fleet could go per the tourney rules, so who knows how much further the main body of fish might be. Will this be another one of those weekends where we all drive in circles around the Santa Monica Basin Buoy? Stay tuned ...
Spotting fish on BAD COMPANY - do you think he can still have kids, or does he just glow in the dark?
Now that we have all those "little" tourneys out of the way, it's time for the real fun - the 19th Annual Los Pescadores Next To Avalon Invitational Not So Light Tackle Billfish Derby, or, as it's better known, "the Pesky". And yes, to answer the question I always get, we really do bagel the fish. With the unfortunately exception of last year, I've been lucky enough to fish in every one of these events, and it's a great experience. Yes, there is great fishing - and this one looks like it could be a real barn burner - but the real thing that sets us apart from the others is afterwards. If you're in Avalon on Saturday night, I'm sure you'll come under our "benevolent" influence. There's really no way for me to adequately describe it, so you should probably check out this MarlinBlog entry from the event two years ago.
Takes three to hold a third of the slam.
With all the marlin excitement, it's been easy to overlook the fact that the swordfish bite has effectively shut down. Even some of the stick boats are calling it a year, as the numbers have dropped below that worthy of burning fuel. For those of us who didn't get a chance to pull on a swordfish, or have simply forgotten what they look like, from Burt Moss comes this shot of a Florida swordfish, caught using the deep drop method so many hope to make work here. He points out that it was only one-third of a "deep drop slam" consisting of the sword, a golden tilefish, and a nice grouper.
It's hard to believe, but they are still catching tuna. Cattleboats continue to make the run to Tanner Bank where they anchor up and load up with the albacore and bluefin. Closer in, there's still some yellowfin under the porpoise, and the occasional dorado under the kelp paddies. Some real tankers have been caught lately as well, including a 51-lb yellowfin caught by Jimmy Decker during the MABT. At least one dorado over 50-lbs was reported as well, so don't dismiss these species entirely yet!
I'm so disappointed - I was so sure someone would have caught a spearfish by now. Maybe this weekend?
I think that's going to be it for our short form report. Remember to file those Trip Reports, and keep sending us your released marlin info - the board is filling up fast! I'll be in Avalon the next three days, so if you see me be sure to say hi!
I swear to the Marlin Gods ... last time ...
September 15
I'm fighting the Mother Of All Migraines this afternoon - not even the Shiner Bock helped. So if there's a decided lack of humor in this report, that would be why ...
Let's just dive right into the tourney results so I can get to the serious migraine medicine - which should leave me able to do nothing more strenuous than drool.
Today was the first fishing day of the Zane Grey Invitational, and despite rough weather and a small fleet, they still managed 19 marlin releases. GOOD KARMA leads the pack with 5, followed closely by BAD COMPANY and OHANA, last year's winner. So far, the big winner are the marlin, as none have been killed for the scale. The fish have been small all season, and it's benefitting them right now. The action has been off the west end of Catalina and towards Santa Barbara Island slightly.
On Friday and Saturday, the Balboa Angling Club held their annual Master Angler Billfish Tournament, a team event that showcases the best light line marlin fishermen. One hundred and eighty-three anglers, fishing on 45 boats and representing five clubs, released a total of 38 marlin over the two days. The willing boat was MAGELLAN, who showed their Church Mouse victory was no fluke by once again releasing five marlin. Their angler Keith Provin was the event's Master Angler, with 2 releases on 20#, and one each on 16# and 12#. MAGELLAN's success drove their club, Harbour Rod & Reel, to the club title. Second place boat was KNOCK DOWN and third was PATRON.
The action for the MABT, as it has been for the last few weeks, was on the backside of the island, although there were a few caught off the east end of Catalina as well.
Also this weekend was the San Diego Marlin Club's Invitational Light Tackle Tournament. As is often the case, when the fishing is hot here it's cool down there, and that was the case this weekend. Only four marlin were released in the event, with LEGACY taking High Boat honors with a pair of releases.
Yup - 'nother opah!
We've been covering the various tourneys live via a combination of the Marlin Club forum and MarlinTweet twitter stream, and I think it's worked out pretty well. We don't have the resources - or staff - of some of our competitors, but I like to think what we lack in size we make up for in dedication. That certainly seems to be the case, since the tourney folks keep feeling sorry enough for us that they pass along tidbits of information for our use. We're certainly glad for it, because it helps us do a better job for you. I'd be lying, though, if I didn't dream once in a while of having someone liveblogging from the Green Pier like those other guys do ... :-)
Once the Zane Grey is in the book, the tourney string will take a small step away from seriousness and reality to enjoy the Pesky. We've talked about it here before - there's nothing like it, and no point in trying to explain it to anyone who's never experienced it. It's not too late for you to sign up, and I heartily recommend it - your liver will thank you later.
I can feel the meds kicking in - my lips and fingertips are starting to go numb - so I'd best stop here. Remember, we pay for Trip Reports, and sending us your released marlin info could win you some SCMO swag - and we know you want that! Be sure to join us tomorrow for Day 2 of the Zane Grey - if you want to play along, email what you hear on Ch 71 - or see on the water - to stan@marlinnut.com.
September 11
Can you hear the silence?
Nothing quite as quiet as midweek during tourney season. The club guys are on the beach, shaking their piggy banks and hoping enough change falls out to fish another weekend. The big guns are pre-fishing the next event, and the last thing they're gonna do is blow radio silence to tell you what they see - usually. More on that in a minute.
We've got another long tourney weekend coming up, with two of the big club events followed by a big money showdown. Friday and Saturday, we'll see the Balboa Angling Club's Master Angler Billfish Tournament, based out of Newport, and the San Diego Marlin Club's Gene Grimes Memorial Invitational Light Tackle Tournament going head to head - and, most likely, fishing some of the same water. These two tend to bring out the best of the best of the private boater fleet, and with the number of marlin we've seen in our waters this season, should really rack up some big numbers.
By the time the club fishermen are back on the beach and digesting their tourney banquet feasts, the big boys will have rolled into Avalon for the next chapter in California Billfish Series, the Zane Grey Invitational. Limited to 40 boats, it's the only the cream and the fishing should reflect that. Like the recently completed Avalon Billfish Classic, fishing days for the ZG will be Monday and Tuesday. After that, we get a couple of days before starting it all over on Friday with the Pesky ... but I'm getting ahead of myself.
During the ABC, the bite was on the backside of Catalina, as it's been for the last week or so. One statement made last weekend was that the fish had started near the west end of Catalina and were sliding SE at about 5 miles a day. I think that was true until they got around the Farnsworth Bank, but it seems to me that they've stalled somewhat and were stacking up between Catalina Canyon and Church Rock. The grid numbers given in the event don't necessarily paint a real picture of the action, and I've heard several people who were working in the same fleet say that by the time it was over most of the action was closer to Church Rock than the actual grids being reported. Blame Pete Grey and his lack of a reporter's diligence for that one, I guess. The bottom line is that if I was heading out this weekend, that's probably where I'd start.
You call that SST data??
We all search for information that will help up find the fish, but there's information and then there's information. Steve Lassley paid a visit to the Marlin Club earlier today, and provided some amazing insight. He said that he currently knows of a half-dozen large areas of marlin - and if the skies would only clear enough to get a decent SST reading, he'd probably find a lot more. He also mentioned that BAD COMPANY had run out to the Tanner Bank yesterday and had released four marlin - including a real tanker.
Now, I don't know for sure, but I suspect that Tanner run was precipitated by the report from the weekend of the party boat PACIFIC STAR, which anchored up on the high spot and had to beat away the marlin. What it should hammer home to all of us is this: when you have the information, can interpret it correctly, and have the resources and desire to make it happen, success is the inevitable result.
Information is a big part of what we do here at SCMO. I like to say that we provide three things for our visitors - news, education and entertainment - but at this time of year, news dominates. Unlike many parts of the world, we have a very limited billfish season - seldom more than three months - and knowing where to go to increase the chances of success is huge. That's why I push so hard to get people to take advantage of the tools we offer to share information.
But sharing information is a real issue for some people. I am often approached by people whose basic thought is, "Share information? Are you out of your frakking mind?" While I don't agree with their philosophy, I understand that it is what they believe. So let me talk a little about information, and why you should share it with us.
When you return from your offshore trip, successful or not, there are things that you know that would help the next guy heading out. For example, I was out a couple of weeks back and released a marlin on the back side of Catalina. I know exactly where I released it: 33° 23.08' N, 118° 35.87' W. You can plug it straight into your GPS and drive to very spot. But it won't do you a damned bit of good, because it's old data, and fish have fins. However, if I as the guy gathering information for this site know that a marlin was released yesterday at 23/35, that's important because it helps me develop a larger picture of the scene. I know that fish isn't sitting there waiting for me, but maybe that piece of data - along with many others - will help me predict where the marlin will go next. And that's the whole idea - to help you have your best shot at success if you were going out tomorrow.
Let's go back for a minute to your just-completed trip. Maybe you're that guy who doesn't want to share his information. To me, you probably fall into one of two categories. You may be that guy who just doesn't want anyone else to succeed - the poker player who isn't satisfied winning unless he also sees the other guys at the table lose. If you're that guy, then there's probably nothing I can do to reach you and, frankly, I feel sorry for you.
But let's say your the other guy. You're not philosophically opposed to sharing, but it doesn't come natural. You're OK with people fishing in the general area where you were, but maybe you don't want them to know your exact spot. Or perhaps you're OK with the information being out there, but you just don't want to be identified the source.
No problem. Take a look again at the fish I released. Plot those numbers, and you'll see they're right on top of Catalina Canyon offshore from Little Harbor at the 300-fathom curve. I could write that "Stan Ecklund Jr. released a marlin yesterday over Catalina Canyon at 23/35. It was a jig fish that hit a Pakula Lumo Medium Sprocket on the stinger line." Or, I could say "Stan Ecklund Jr. released a jigfish off Cat Harbor." Or, I could say "We have a report that one was released yesterday on the backside of Catalina." How it's reported is a reflection of the wishes of the reportee. All the time I get snippets of information sent to me with a request to keep some portion out of the report. "This last part is just for you - could you keep it off the site?" - I totally respect that, and will always follow those wishes.
Bottom line? Unless you're Mr "I Only Win When You Lose", there's no reason to not file that Trip Report, or submit that photo, or tell us about your released fish. And frankly, if you're that other guy, you're just here leaching off the generosity of others, and can leave now. Go on - git! Shoo!
Speaking of the Billfish Release Board, have you seen it lately? Nearly 150 releases - and that doesn't even count the 28 from Day 2 of the ABC! Leave it to me to roll it out for the season of the decade ... :-) On the positive side, we've added a custom Release Submission Form to facilitate sending in those releases. Anything we can do to take away your excuses ...
They can fill the hole in the ground, but not the one in our hearts.
I know it's been a long time, and we Americans have the collective attention span of a gnat, but I hope you took a moment to reflect on the meaning of the day. So much has happened in the last seven years, and at the same time so little progress have been made - at Ground Zero and elsewhere in the "Fight On Terror". All we as individuals can do is be supportive of those who put their lives on the line on our behalf - whether in the armed forces or as first responders stateside. May we never face another day like 9/11, and may we never forget the value of the freedoms those who took the planes sought to take from us all.
Based on the feedback we got, we did a pretty good job with our ABC coverage, so we're going to try it again this weekend, starting with the events tomorrow. Like last time, though, it has to be a collaborative effort if we're going to succeed - success, of course, being defined as doing a better job than that tackle store site. If you're near a radio with Ch 65 going, you can email what you hear to stan@marlinnut.com - and don't be afraid to overwhelm me. On Tuesday, I was getting updates about every 3 minutes from the different sources. If you're on a boat in the fleet and have an email-equipped phone, you can do the same, or you can text updates to the Fishing News Submission Line at 13106830034. The method is up to you - what's important is getting the information. We'll provide periodic updates over in the Marlin Club, and the real-time (or nearly so) info will go out via the Twitter and be viewable at the MarlinTweet page. It should be fun ...
OK, I think I've about worn out this poll. We'll run it one last time, and if I don't come up with a better one we'll just do without ...
September 9
I'm multi-tasking as I write this, reading the incoming texts and emails for tourney flashes, updating the tourney thread over at the Marlin Club, and firing off updates on the temporarily unretired MarlinTweet twitter stream. So, if I sound a little discombobulated, that would be why. Oh, to be on the water ...
(cue theme music)
My brain is worn out just trying to get a handle on all the action in the last few days. Clearly, Red Bull and Diet Pepsi Max aren't going to cut it tonight - I'm going straight to the Shiner Bock ...
In honor of my confusion, let's start with the last stuff first - the Contender Avalon Billfish Classic, which ended just a few hours ago. Despite a paltry entry list (and we should all be ashamed ...), you just knew that the cream would rise. And rise it did ...
That's a whole lotta flags.
I'm sure the semi-official results will be out later tonight, and they'll be available over at the Marlin Club. But you don't need the results sheet to see who won - just a calculator. With six releases today and another three yesterday, BAD COMPANY rules supreme once again with a winning total of nine released marlin. But while they were clearly the class of the field, they didn't have it all to themselves as GAMBLER was nipping at their heels right to the end. They had a pair of releases yesterday and five more today - including three in an amazing half-hour of fishing this morning - to take second place in the Pro division. Third place went to RUCKUS - continuing their great fishing that extends back to the Church Mouse - with five releases. I believe PACIFIC EDGE and REEL TIME each ended up with four and REEL NICE AND EASY three, but we'll wait for the results.
One of the unique elements of this event is the Pro/Am format that allows teams of differing skills - and resources - to compete within their own divisions of the tourney. Yesterday, the teams in the NO FEAR Amateur division were shut out, but that ended quickly this morning as ALY CAT and QUALITY TIME had the first two fish of the day. ALY CAT took the division with a total of three releases, and EXTA SEA and BAD DOG II also released fish today.
It was interesting to follow the action because of the grid callouts - you could get a sense of where the bite was at different points in the event. Yesterday, the released marlin were initially found in the strip between the Avalon and 14-Mile Banks, with the action moving closer to Catalina later in the day. Today, however, there were two distinct fleets working. Most of the boats were on the back side of the island, working similar areas off Salta Verde that the private boat fleet trolled over the weekend. But BAD COMPANY remained on the front side, working towards the Isthmus if the grid calls are to be believed - and you know how that strategy worked out!
I mentioned earlier the disappointment at the low turnout - there were 81 boats in the Church Mouse last week, and there'll be nearly as many for the Classic later this month. I realize that it's a relatively new event, and costs more than do the club tourneys, but it's important to show support for an all-release event, if for no other reason than to send a message to other tourneys. So I'll make the commitment now - I'm fishing in this event next year, and I'm going to try to do it with a team formed here at SCMO. You heard it here, and can hold me to it. If you're interested, let me know - especially if you have a boat ... :-)
I've talked before about just how well things could work if we all just pulled on the same end of the rope once in a while, and today was a perfect example. MNAC member Bill Morris was next to the radio, emailing me radio calls as they happened. Member Jeff Hollman reminded me that the Twitter was still active, so we ran the updates out using that technology. Member James Bygrave was emailing updates from tourney boat ANGEL AND THE BAD MAN - not to mention that great shot of BADCO and GAMBLER. And member Rod Halperin gave us the ultimate insider as Tournament Control for the event. The result was a better, richer coverage than you could find anywhere else - including the corporate web site hired to cover the event or that tackle store site with the radio stream blog.
That's why I'm always pushing about participation - because great things can happen when we all get involved. Today we felt the excitement of a big money tournament, learned about our sport from the masters, and had a great time along the way. If we use the tools that are available - whether filing Trip Reports, submitting releases for the Billfish Release Board, or sending along your pictures - we all benefit! It's like the best parts of communism, without the whole jackboot dictator thing.
The ABC was the crown jewel of the tourney weekend, but was far from the only one. At one point on Saturday, there were four separate events using channel 65 as their tourney channel. It was every bit as difficult as it sounds.
MNAC's Bill Hebebrand released this marlin ...
... and MNAC's Gary Fiamengo skippered this one!
The Tuna Club had back-to-back events, following Thursday's classic tackle Linen One with their annual benefit tourney Friday and Saturday. TC events tend to bring out the best, and this was no exception. SILVERFISH was the class of the field this year, with a half dozen released marlin. In second place was MNAC's Warren Gunter and the crew of xJEWEL LURE with three releases.
I had the pleasure of fishing the King Harbor Marlin Club event along with the rest of Team HOOKER. I'd like to tell you that we had a lot of success, but if you've already read the Trip Report, then you know that's a lie. But that's not to say that others didn't have the kind of trip we had hoped for.
The High Boat in the event was Bob Stephens' EXTA SEA with three releases, all on the second day of the event. High Angler was Dara Stotesbury with a pair iof 16-lb jig fish released from husband Greg's new ride KNOCK DOWN. I'm not sure of the total number of released fish (embarassing, considering I'm on the club's Board of Directors), but I'm going to say it was around a dozen. Like most of the weekend's fishing, the best action was around the back side of Catalina, offshore of Salta Verde Point and towards the Mackerel Bank. But there was also solid action on the front side, both down off of Long Point and off the east end of the island.
Congratulations also to Rich Negron, who took Top Angler honors in the Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge on Saturday. His winning fish was a 41-lb albacore caught on SEA DUCE ME.
What is it with the tuna this year - don't they have anywhere to go? In the MAWTC, they just whacked the albacore and yellowfin tuna ...
We all have bad habits in life. Mine tends to be coming up with my best ideas for the site right in the middle of the marlin season, when I'm at my very busiest. Take the Billfish Release Board, for example - the rapidly-filling BRB, I guess I should call it. What started as a humble attempt to credit those who release a marlin has taken on a life of it's own, as now several of the local fishing clubs are providing their release info as well as the other sources we have. That's great, because it helps to paint the most complete picture possible. But remember - if your club tells me about your release, it'll get on the board. But if you tell me about it, it'll get you in the drawing - so file that Trip Report or send that email!
September 4
As much as the last report was long, this one's going to be short, because I'm on my way out the door and off the beach.
It's a big tourney weekend, with several club events followed by the first of the big boys money tourneys. Both the Tuna Club and the King Harbor Marlin Club have club events this weekend - the TC a charity tourney, and the KHMC their annual marlin tourney - which I'll be fishing in, BTW. Both will be competed early in the weekend, and we should have a wrap here on Monday.
Monday is also the first day for the Avalon Billfish Classic, the all-release event brought to you by the same folks who run the older Cat Classic and Zane Grey tourneys. We've talked both here and in the Marlin Club about how important it is to support all-release events, and I hope that a lot of you are going to turn out. It's probably too late to sign up now if you haven't already, but fire off an email to Rod Halperin if you're still interested - I'll bet he'll find a way!
As to be expected heading into the first big event, two things are true - a lot of those boats you never hear about other than tourney season have mysteriously appeared off Avalon, and the amount of information available to local hacks like me is waaaay down. Fortunately, most of the bite seems to be centered around Catalina Island, and that makes it pretty hard to hide. There's still some activity off Long Point and the Isthmus - a residual effect from the successes there last weekend. However, the real concentrations seem to be at the two ends of the island. As always, boats have been pounding the east end, and while not a lot of fish were being caught (or, more correctly, reported being caught), they were at least being seen. One of my favorite spots right off Church Rock is sounding very promising.
Down at the west end, conditions have changed in a way that could cause the marlin to stack up there. The water offshore towards the Osborn Bank has cooled, effectively blocking the movement of the marlin as they swung around the end of the island and continued westward. With no place to go, and pockets of warm water present, look for the numbers there to increase. Personally, I'd be checking down the ridge from the West End towards the 172, and at the spots between the West End and the mainland - 270, 286, and maybe even the Boot.
Just a quick reminder about our Billfish Release Board. The number of marlin on the board is growing quickly - as is the number of dollar signs as folks let us know about their releases. It's turning out to be a pretty nifty year, and you don't want to miss out. So, if you release a marlin, just fire us off a note with the details and we'll get it on the board and you in the drawing. Of course, the same will happen if you file a Trip Report with that same information, plus you'll get the additional satisfaction of helping your fellow man ... :-)
I'll be off the grid this weekend - part of the fallout of the whole Twitter experiment backlash - but maybe I'll see you on the water. If not there, the Marlin Club ...
September 1
What a long, strange week it's been. Hard to believe it's only been a week since the last edition - more like a month - but here we go again ...
(cue alternate theme music)
Woo, hoo
We're learning the hard way
Woo, hoo
It just don't matter what they say
-- Gin Blossoms, "Learning The Hard Way"
This is probably going to be a long report, since we've been away and a whole lot of stuff has happened. So, for those of you with short attention spans, let me cut to the chase:
The marlin are pretty much everywhere, but only going off in certain spots and only for a short time. Tuna are still available for those who want to make the run, and there's a pretty good run on swordfish.
OK, now that they're gone, let's talk details.
Some mighty fine laundry you've got there, Rob.
I was able to spend six days offshore last week on HOOKER, and while we were happy about the two marlin we released, there was a definite feeling that we'd left something on the table. As the reports from the weekend continue to filter into the Home Office, that's appearing to be the case.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's first go back and talk about the 18th Church Mouse Marlin Invitational, which was competed last Monday and Tuesday. In our last report, we theorized that the fish might pop up west later in the week. Little did we know they were making an appearance on the Osborn Bank at that very moment!
But the jungle drums were beating, and the sat phones ringing, and those in the know knew to be on the Osborn Monday. And, boy, did it pay off! Twenty-eight marlin were released on the first day of the tourney, with the majority coming for those who made the long run west.
Leading the group was MNAC's own Rob Webster and MAGELLAN. They only had a 3-person crew, so they had their hands full when the action came - and it certainly came! But when the other two on board are John King of AFISHINADO and Mark Wisch of PACIFIC EDGE, I think it's probably the fish who were at the real disadvantage. They worked the Osborn for 4 jigfish and a baitfish to lead the pack at the end of Day 1 (you can see Rob's great Trip Report here - see how helpful it is? Think about it ...)
Behind MAGELLAN was AFTER MIDNIGHT with three releases, and a whole raft of folks with two. Everyone went to sleep with dreams of the O-Bank and the glory that awaited ...
... And most of them were disappointed. While there were still more fish caught to the west, it wasn't nearly the bite it had been only 24 hours earlier - such is the nature of the beast! RUCKUS had the best day, releasing a baitfish and both ends of a jigfish double, and would have taken third place in the event had they been willing to run from the Osborn to Avalon and then home to Channel Islands. Sometimes, discretion is the better part of valor. AFTER MIDNIGHT added another release, but no one was going to catch MAGELLAN which took first prize on the strength of their amazing first day performance. AFTER MIDNIGHT had to settle for second with 4 released, followed by CLUB TED with three. A total of thirty-eight marlin were released - an event record - including one by ACE HI less than a mile out of Avalon to take the "closest to mooring 231" award. Another great event for a pioneering all-release tourney.
As you might imagine, there was a fair amount of fishing going on during the week, as many of us played hookey to strike while the opportunity existed. From Wednesday through Friday, there was probably 10 - 12 boats working the various banks in search of a marlin bite that became less concentrated over time. The OB continues to produce a couple of releases a day, and PESCADOR and BAD COMPANY were among those finding success their. But there were still marlin to be had closer to shore. SHOWDOWN and REELY HOOKED each released one west of the 14-Mile Bank on Wednesday, and HOOKER released a pair on the backside of Catalina. I was lucky enough to be the angler on one, and the leaderman on the other. Still the greatest feeling in the world.
It's just how we roll here at SCMO.
Kelly's rollin', too!
How wide open is the marlin bite? Matt Mullaney landed a 123-lb marlin Thursday while trolling the 9-Mile Bank in his boat DOLLARS & CENTS - a 13-ft aluminum skiff! Out of his mind, but I think we'd all like to have those kind of balls ...
With the weekend came the fleet, and the local boats were joined by the tournament contenders pre-fishing for the upcoming events. Some boats headed back up to the Osborn, where the bite was consistent if diminished from earlier. Others opted for the short run to the 14-Mile Bank, where the warmest water in the region was found. But a new spot of fish attracted the most attention. Stretching from a point between the 152 and the Avalon Bank, to a point just off the Isthmus, both Saturday and Sunday saw an impressive feeder show. They were a picky bunch, though, and were more show than go. Some boats did find success, though, including JEWEL LURE and HIGH TIDE, who got 3 on Sunday. That HT's Kelly Grose at right with a big smile and an handful of marlin. With the arrival of the tourney boats, you can expect the numbers to go up, even as the information goes down ...
We've had a pretty good start to the marlin season, and there have been some epic days. But with all the striper success, it's easy to lose sight of how good the fishing has been for the other pelagic species.
By now, tuna season ought to be in the rear view mirror. And yet, the bite is holding steady - even for albacore and bluefin, the cold water species. Heck, we ran through some 75° water on Saturday near the 14-Mile Bank - only a few miles of an ongoing yellowfin tuna bite on the 267! For the fleet out of San Diego, it's been like manna from Heaven - they were able to fill up by running no further than the 182. Those looking for larger fish headed to the 302, where several yellowfin in the 80-lb range were caught. The bigger boats, or those seeking the cool water tuna, headed to the 43 or out to the Butterfly and 60-Mile Banks. There was even another opah caught - I can't remember the last time there was two in a single season. All we need now is a spearfish ...
It's also turning out to be a pretty good season for swordfish, but not necessarily in the way you might expect.
Broadbill can be a tricky foe, and it's always a highlight if you can catch one. There's a subset of the billfish fleet that actively seek them, and even among the best of them it is a rarity to catch one. Even BAD COMPANY, good as they are, were unable to achieve their goal of catching one for owner Anthony Hsieh (although they got damned close Saturday on the Avalon Bank).
A very happy Todd Kumasaka.
But luck always plays a role in fishing, and several lucky anglers got their dream fish this weekend - all without targeting them! First, Mike Lofy, who was fishing with his son on their boat SHARKMEAT west of the 302, gets a swordfish to take a frozen mackerel in the middle of the night. There to night drift for sharks, they didn't even know what they had until they got it to the boat a little over an hour later - it weighed in at 128-lbs.
Then there's the story of Todd Kumasaka. He heads out with the girls Sunday for a leisurely day of sharking off Oceanside. Along comes Elvis, and three hours later, they put the hook to a 297-lb tanker of a swordfish. That is just a beast.
People have spent their entire careers hoping for the kind of days Mike and Todd had. It just goes to show that good things can happen unexpectedly - if you are ready.
OK, I know what you're thinking: "Enough about the fishing, Stan - tell us about the MarlinTweet experiment!"
The good news is that for something thrown together at the last minute, MarlinTweet rocked. Over 6 days, we were able to post nearly 90 mini-updates, covering everything from things heard on the radio to weather conditions to our own successes. Several times people came on the radio on 65 to talk about how cool it was, and a dozen users signed up to receive the Twitter stream updates to their cellphones - amazing, considering 1) it requires a certain technical prowess and 2) we didn't have time to hype the experiment very much.
Then there's the down side. Because I was scrambling to get it in place before we headed offshore, I didn't take into consideration the negative reactions MarlinTweet might raise in the fleet - particularly among those sharing the boat with me. The realization that they effectively had a live broadcast from the bridge didn't sit very well at all - in fact, had they realized the nature of MarlinTweet as is was occuring, instead of after returning to port, I may well have spent the week in the brig.
Like any experiment, you learn as much from failure as success. I learned that there is a desire for this kind of information to be available, if we can find an appropriate format and forum. I also learned that sometimes, too much information isn't a good thing. I'm currently looking into some microblogging software that will allow multiple users (ie - someone other than me) to post information from the web, email, phone, etc - I'll keep you updated.
As always, remember to file those Trip Reports, and especially remember to tell us about your released marlin. The Billfish Release Board is filling up fast, and with all the releases from the Church Mouse, I know there are a lot of you with data to provide!
August 28
No report - gone fishin'!
August 25
It's the kickoff of tourney season, and you know what that does to news sources. But if you know the right people to talk to, you find out where you should go. Did we find out? Only one way to know - it's the Fishing News!
(cue theme music)
We start with good news for the local striped marlin anglers - they're in your back yard, and they're eating the plastic. Throughout the weekend and into today, there's been a nice bite doing down between the 14-Mile Bank, the Avalon Bank and the mid-channel oil rigs - right in the middle of the steamer lanes. PACIFIC PIONEER, JOKER and the new BOUNDER all got fish there, and others had their shots. The water is clear blue and warm, and there seems to be some quantity for the first time this season. But there's also reason to think these fish might be on the move - more on that in a minute.
Over at Catalina, anglers found success as well - particularly if they were slow trolling mackerel. Several boats reported seeing feeders on both sides of the boat as they trolled - no point in tossing when you already have live ones in the water! We haven't gotten any reports yet from the Churchmouse tourney, which started today, but I'm sure they're hitting the same areas.
Runnin' blue.
Here's a quick reminder - literally - that there are marlin in other parts of the world. In this case, a quick little blue marlin in a picture shot by Paco Saca this weekend in El Salvador.
We rolled out our EAL Autopsy as part of the Marlin Tutorial last week, and it's already getting a lot of visits. But it dawned on me yesterday that while we looked into every nook and cranny of this popular and technologically advances lure, we'd forgotten the most important part - the sound! So yesterday, I hauled out my trusty microphone and corrected the error. If you've never heard an EAL chirp, give this a listen. And yes - that's the sound of our volunteer after the autopsy - takes a licking, and keeps on ticking!
I don't know if it's because the marlin have moved so far north, or if the warm water finally got to the tuna, but the numbers seemed to be down this weekend. Chuck Hope reported some nice yellowfin tuna action down by the 182, and others did well at the 302 and 43. Basically, the further out you went the better the grade of fish, and folks were running to the Butterfly for the best stuff. The consensus, though, was that anything north of 181 was dry - nothing reported at all on the 209 or 277. For the ones who got the fish, the hot tip was to get out in front of porpoise schools, shut down and soak baits.
Has anyone seen a swordfish lately? I know they don't like the warmer water we're getting, but I haven't heard from anyone who has even hooked one in a couple of weeks.
It's gonna be sticky.
There's a pretty good chance we're about to see a shift in the weather due to the influence of Tropical Storm Julio. It popped up late last week right outside of Cabo, and raked its way north along the peninsula. It never was a big storm, and it's stalling in the northern end of the Sea of Cortez. But the moisture will continue north, and make for instability. To quote the latest report from the National Hurricane Center:
"HOWEVER...MOISTURE FROM JULIO WILL STILL CREATE A HEAVY RAINFALL THREAT ALONG THE WEST COAST OF MAINLAND MEXICO...AND THAT MOISTURE IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS...WHICH COULD ENHANCE RAINFALL OVER THAT REGION."
Depending on how much of the weather makes it this far north, it could also cause the seas to roll and change the whole SST outlook.
Because of that, I think there's reason to believe the fish might move out of the Catalina Channel once this storm starts to affect the local conditions. Looking at the latest SST charts, you can see a finger of warm water that extends westward from the current hot spot, skirts the west end of Catalina, and heads in the general direction of Santa Barbara Island. If there's enough warm water to create a lane for the marlin, and the conditions are bad enough to push them away from where they are now, I think we may see some action by this weekend between Catalina and SBI. The question is whether the fish will go south of the island towards the Osborn Bank, or north of it towards the Hidden Reef. I doubt there's enough energy to push the warm water that far north, though. Also, there's a real nice break south of Santa Barbara, though, and breaks mean bait - I think that's where I'd be looking for the fish to pop up by Wednesday or Thursday.
In the last report, we talked about some of the things we were going to do to refocus our efforts on the local marlin scene. I'm happy to say that some of them are already seeming to pay dividends. The Billfish Release Board is up and running, and several folks have emailed me with data to help fill in the blanks. The Fishing News Reporting Line is also operational at (310) 683-0034, and while we haven't received our first report using that method, it's just a matter of time. The MarlinTweet microblog is going to get its trial-by-fire starting tomorrow morning, as I'm headed offshore for seven consecutive days of fishing. That'll make for a lot of tweets, and you can follow along with every one and know what's going on offshore before anyone else.
Of all the new features, the one that has been the most successful so far has been the one that is the most low-tech. Last night, I fired off an email to each of our local MNAC members, just asking if they'd been out, and asking if they'd share the details with us. As I suspected, most of them are willing to share if you make it easy enough - and nothing is easier than hitting the "reply" button. We still want to encourage you to make the traditional Trip Reports, and the incentive plan is now in place to reward those of you who do. But it was good to see the large number of responses to the email, even from those of you who didn't fish. I suspect it's going to be a popular Sunday night event in the future. If you have a fishing buddy who isn't an MNAC member but might want to participate in the Info Ping emails, get me their address and I'll add them to the next one.
August 21
A long week for those hoping to find a cache of marlin before the tourneys kick in, and an even longer week at the Home Office as we respond to feedback from our members. Change, as they say, is in the air. But first, the Fishing News!
Let's start with the marlin. The good news is that there's pretty steady pick of striped marlin going on, and those who are out on the water are seeing fish. Unfortunately, they're not really stacking up anywhere in particular, so luck starts to play a big role in who catches them. That said, there are some boats that repeatedly score.
BAD COMPANY had another of those BadCo trips. Starting with a trip for the crew's kids and ending up supporting the EPYC event, they got marlin wherever they went - down the ridge from Pyramid Cove, on the ridge between the 181 and 182, off the east end of Catalina. Some were bait, some were jigs, all were inexperience anglers. You just can't beat good tools and good talent.
Mere mortals got it done this week as well, though, led by Joe and Ellen Grant on BRAVADO. Joe released one Tuesday about 3 miles off the Slide that took a slow trolled bait. That's a great method when there's no concentration of fish - go somewhere that historically does well, and slow troll the greenies. You'll have to deal with sharks and seals every once in a while, but it's a very successful method - and easy on the fuel tank, too! Ellen got a chance today as well, but it was lost at the leader - aargh!
Today, the Avalon Bank was the closest thing there was to a "hot spot". At least two marlin were released near the high spot today, and one more lost by a Tuna Club member a couple miles east of there when the dacron let go. As evidence of the random nature of the bite, one of the fish was caught by a boater dragging lures on his way to the anchorage in Avalon. He was working the radio pretty hard for anyone who might have a marlin flag he could borrow ...
A lot of boats opted for the East End and the Avalon Bank today, but earlier in the week the 14-Mile Bank was the place to be. Reed Miller on SHOWDOWN released his second fish of the season on Wednesday just outside the 14, and there were at least two others released there yesterday as well.
To the south, the 9-Mile Bank has been hot for the last couple of weeks, and while I haven't heard of any mid-week reports out of there, I'd consider it a solid bet.
Speaking of San Diego, I see where the Marlin Club has weighed 4 marlin under 100-lbs this month. I realize it's a public dock, and none of them were caught by club members, but man - we gotta find a way to get through to those folks ...
Welcome to the future.
I've talked before about innovation and my appreciation of anyone who comes up with a new way to solve an old problem. Well, I have a new innovation to give a try this season. I believe strongly in circle hooks for bait fish, but have always struggled with the thought of bridling them in the SoCal fishery - it just won't catch on. Worse yet, whatever method you use has to survive the flinging of the bait several boatlengths - and that's not easy.
The folks at QuickRig have a solution to the problem that I think just might work. We've talked about it here and in the forums, but this is the first time I've actually seen it in person, and I'm impressed! The gauge of the wire is larger than I'd thought, and the pliers do a great job - even if the target in this case is rubber. I use this mackerel for casting practice (all of you about to say "keep practicing" just keep it zipped), so I'm going to use it to field test the clips in a realistic environment. If I can't throw the rubber mackie off the clip, we'll really have something! Stand by for the results ...
I haven't heard a damned thing this week about swordfish, and like a dumbass I forgot to ask the one swordfish captain I saw this week what he saw. Send your complaints to the Home Office.
Did I mention that the EAL Autopsy is now online as part of the Marlin Tutorial? It was an interesting experience and, for those who will ask - yes, it still chirps! Have fun peeling back the layers to see what you'll find - just be glad you don't have to deal with the resin dust. I'm still itching ...
Look what we got - again.
My love of beach volleyball is well documented (although you'd laugh your ass off if you ever saw me try to play ...) - particularly on the women's side. So you'll excuse me if I'm a bit cranky as I write this, having stayed up to midnight SoCal time to watch the gold medal round last night. The details are over in the MarlinBlog, but to say I'm pumped at the success of Kerri and Misty is an understatement. I don't normally telegraph the candidates for the Weekend Eye Candy, but if you're a fan like I'm a fan, you just might want to drop by tomorrow morning.
The real question now is whether I'll actually stay up again to watch Rogers and Dalhausser try to make it a USA sweep ...
So here's the tuna story. You basically have two choices - inshore for quantity or offshore for quality. There are still smallish yellowfin tuna at most places along the inner ridge, from the 267 down through the 182 and 302. You know the drill - the further south you go, the better it gets. Lots of dorado available, too, but they're line-shy and for the most part too small to care about. On the other hand, you can run offshore to the 43 or further down to the Butterfly, where the quality of the fish goes up and there's still some albacore mixed in. How bad do you want it? Personally, it's easier on the fuel budget to troll over to Trader Joe's.
In the last report, I asked the membership for feedback about the site. Man, be careful what you ask for ... :-) We certainly got a lot of it - some grumpy and some crude, but most very insightful and useful in looking forward. I thank each of you who emailed or, in two cases, called with your observations. To say it gave me a lot to think about is an understatement.
One theme became very clear as I sifted through the responses. We're blessed to have a worldwide following here at SCMO, but the feedback left no doubt that if we're going to have "Southern California Marlin" in the title, we need to do a better job serving the SoCal marlin fisherman. The value of feedback sometimes is that you get to see things as they are, and not how you think they are. That is certainly true in this case. As the architect of this particular edifice, I felt like I'd provided all the tools a local marlin fisherman could possibly need - tools to prepare for the trip, and tools to report on it once he returned. I still feel like it's a pretty solid toolset. But there's an old saying about how "people vote with their feet"- it doesn't matter how you designed it; what matters is how the people use it. If they don't use it the way you planned, you can't just sit back and wonder why - you need to respond. I was guilty of sitting back, but I'm going to respond now.
I've said before that the issue is information - getting information into the site and then broadcasting it back out. The information is out there, and I believe it's not really a case of people not wanting to share - if that's really the case, then we're screwed anyway. We need to make it more convenient for people to participate, and make the tools more conducive to providing that information. We also need to provide some kind of incentive for the information. If there's one thing all marlin fishermen seem to share it's a competitive nature. I've seen people put their million dollar boats at risk to win a $5 bet - they'll compete over anything. So a big part of the new direction will be to tap into that competitive nature, and reward those who participate.
Because most of the changes will be available to all SCMO members, and not just MNAC'ers, I'm going to outline them in a posting over in the From The Home Office forum. You'll be able to find all the gory details there, and once again I want to hear your feedback - whether I get it right or I screw it all up. For now, here's a couple of highlights:
- A Billfish Release Board (the link is to the prototype). The OGRRS has served as the method for recording released marlin, but we need a better way to display results - no only for those ones, but for the many fish I learn about elsewhere. Every released SoCal marlin I hear about will make it onto the board. But here's the incentive part - anyone who reports their release to me, as captain or angler, gets a release certificate and entry into a drawing for SCMO gear or free MNAC membership.
- Dedicated reporting phone. We're putting in a dedicated line here at the Home Office specifically so you can provide information, either by call or text. Too tired / lazy / fat fingered to do a report? Just call and leave a message. Depending on the success of the other initiatives, we may turn this into a audio version of the Fishing News in the future.
- Trip Report incentive plan. I'm still working out the kinks in this one, but we'll be offering an incentive plan for Trip Reports - awards based on the number of reports made, and maybe a contest for the best/most interesting reports.
- I'm playing around with Twitter (also a prototype page), a microblog service that lets you sent out 140-character "tweets" to anyone who follows the blog. You can check the site to see what's going on, or even have them sent to your phone via SMS text - now that's technology.
- I know there are MNAC members who are lucky enough to sit next to a radio all day listening to the fishing fleet. I'm going to track them down and develop a plan to harness that resource. Look for something along the lines of a blog, with incentives to our bloggers to provide updates.
Anyway, that's just some of what's on the ol' plate at SCMO. Facing a large pile of demanding feedback, I had two choices - pack it in or act. I choose to act - we'll have to see how many people choose to join me ...
August 18
A interesting weekend here at the Home Office, one that had nothing to do with fishing but a lot to do with the future of a particular fishing website. We've got a couple of new features to talk about, we'll reminisce a little bit ... oh, and there some marlin news as well. Just another Monday at the Fishing News!
(cue theme music)
Pretty tough fishing this weekend - not exactly what you want to hear for the first weekend of the fall tourney season. A couple of smaller events were contested this weekend. The first was the Stan Miller Yachts Cabo Hatteras Challenge; as of press time I didn't have results, but I'll add them as soon as I do. We've got the goods on the second one, though.
A happy Warren Gunter Jr. about to let xJEWEL LURE's marlin go.
We talked in an earlier report about the large shadow that is cast by Anthony Hsieh's Grander, Inc. One new branch to that particular tree is the Eastern Pacific Yacht Club. The PACIFIC PROVIDER, a converted crab boat, serves as a luxury mothership and plies the eastern Pacific (duh), serving as a base of operations for the members. As they say, if you have to ask you can't afford it. However, this weekend you could at least get a look at it, as the EPYC hosted an event in Pyramid Cove at San Clemente Island. Similar in many ways to those timeshare weekends where you get the free stay with the sales pitch, the EPYC staff and crew hosted a fleet of boats as well as a multi-species tournament.
xJEWEL LURE got the only billfish of the event when a marlin took a jig between the 289 and the Mackerel Bank. Being the only marlin it took that division, but SURLY MERMAID got the overall event win with a mixed bag. Look for PACIFIC PROVIDER later this season as it serves as the tourney boat for the California Billfish Series events out of Avalon.
If you're a sharp-eyed reader, then you may have noticed a couple of changes to the Fishing News. Several years ago, we added the ability to click on many of the pictures we include in these reports to see them in a larger format. Unfortunately, you had to actually click on it to realize the ability was there. This weekend, since I was landlocked and fidgety, I played around with the image display code to add a small "Click to enlarge" link which will appear over any image that is capable of being seen larger. So long as I was there anyway, I also added the ability to include captions, so you won't have to guess which pictures go with what topic.
As they say, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and I spent a long time on that road this weekend. I'm a Mac guy and do all my coding on a Mac Pro with Safari as the default web browser. Browsers being what they are, however, you have to make sure that the code that looks soooo good in one browser still looks good in the others. I forgot about that particular rule for a while, and spent a lot of extra time because of it. I'm happy to report, though, that after way too much effort spent coding, the pictures look and work the same no matter if you're using Safari, Internet Exploder or FireFox.
A nice blue caught on a Makaira Brutus.
Justin Roper of Makaira Pulling Lures sent along this shot of the crew of ARTEMIS releasing a blue marlin in July during the HMY-Viking MegaDock tourney out of Charleston, SC. After the slow start we've had to our local marlin season, it's always good to see at least someone's catching them ...
While on the subject of new features, or at least still near the subject, the EAL Autopsy addition to the Fishing Tutorial was sent out for editorial review today. That's the last step before adding it to the site, so look for it to be in place before Thursday's report. It turned out pretty good, and I think it should whet the curiosity of anyone who's ever stared an an EAL and wondered.
Wrapping up the EAL article inadvertantly started me down a nostalgic path that reminded me of a very similar time in SCMO history. For those who weren't here, SCMO was started in '96 as a class project as I was completing my Information Systems degree at Redlands. After graduation the site grew, and slowly developed into the familiar site you see today. It wasn't always easy, though, and we've had our growing pains.
One such moment occured in the summer of 2001. As the site grew and the amount of time I needed to put into it to keep things going grew, I had to decide whether to continue or not. This was in the days before we had ad banners or the MNAC, so it was truly a non-profit site - it wasn't even breaking even. Making things worse, I'd developed the Fishing News as a series of biweekly reports - a blog, essentially, long before blogs were invented. But it took an ungodly amount of time to shake the bushes for information, and in July of that year I hit the wall.
And another thing ...
The official story was that I wanted more time on the water and away from the keyboard, but it was really a crisis of conscience - do I really want to keep doing this? Several things happened during the rest of that season that helped me make the decision. The first was 9-11, which made me feel pretty small to even be thinking of what I was doing as any kind of sacrifice. But another key element was an column written by Rich Holland in the Western Outdoor News. I had no idea he was even a reader of the Fishing News, but he noted the loss in his November 2, 2001 column.
"Seems last July Stan Ecklund, Jr., the site's founder, heart and soul, discontinued his twice-weekly fish reports, stating that the work involved kept him tied to his computer and off the water. There's something I could relate to."
"Of course, the site is an awesome resource and it could be a source of fresh fishing info if users sent in regular Trip Reports to the message boards. The site's best feature is a searchable message board where people use their real names and experts in the marlin game give it up."
He also noted the value of the Fishing News as something that set SCMO apart from other fishing sites.
"One thing that many web sites lack, and which Ecklund has abandoned, is organization of news. That's the biggest shortcoming of sites."
For someone who'd put a lot of sweat and effort into SCMO, the term "abandoned" really hit home. Over the winter, I developed the site you see today, complete with an advertising program and the MNAC to provided a much-needed revenue stream for the site, and with the 2002 offshore season, the Fishing News restarted and has continued uninterrupted since then.
I recount this little bit of history for two reasons. The first is that it reminded me that there were Fishing News reports written prior to 2002. Fishing be a cyclical event, it's very useful to see what has happened in years past and compare it to current happenings. After searching the internet archives, I was able to recreate the season's reports from 2000 and the partial season of 2001, and both are now available via the archive links at the bottom of this page. Because they pre-date the current version of this site, they're in the old format, and not all of the links may work. But they add to the historical record of our fishing.
The second reason is to point out that those things that Rich saw as strengths and weaknesses in 2001 remain today. Then, as now, SCMO is only as strong as the community that participates in the process. When Trip Reports are filed, or emails sent, or pictures submitted, the value of the information increases the value of the site and the benefit to us all. His other point is also true - no other fishing site has the kind of organization of the news that the Fishing News represents. There are many other websites out there that allow users to post reports, but with no sorting of the information the visitor is forced to sift through a lot of chaff in the hope of finding the wheat. Still others provide updates, but are so lacking in organization of the data - or validation of it's integrity - that they have little real use. The Fishing News is unique, but it too is dependent on information. Provide good information and you get good News. Don't, and all you get are my bad jokes. Think about it ...
Rereading Rich's column helped validate my decision to work this offseason to move this site forward once again. I'll be looking to you for ideas on how that can be done, and will contact many of you directly for your input. But if you have ideas, feel free to send them along now - you don't have to wait!
Not a lot of talk about swordfish or tuna in this report - the former because there wasn't any info, and the latter because you probably already know where to go if you really want more. For now, I'm just beat and need to stop here. But don't worry - this time, the break is only until Thursday. We're here for the long run!
August 14
A pretty slow midweek report, and frankly I'm bumming because I think I'm on the beach this weekend - and probably the next. But we're professionals here at the Home Office, so we'll shake it off and crank out another edition of the Fishing News.
(cue theme music)
You know, some day we should really get some theme music ...
Billy Savell with his 109-lb opah.
In the last report, we talked about how warm the water currently is in the Catalina Bight. Need more proof? How's this a - a 109-lb opah! It was caught by 12-yr-old Billy Savell, fishing on DA KINE a few miles northwest of the 302. Talk about a fish of a lifetime - we don't even have a fact sheet for it ...yet ... :-)
Let's see ... opah, wahoo ... all we need now is bigeye tuna to complete the Global Warming Trifecta ...
We think the fishing's pretty good in SoCal right now, but all it takes is one email from elsewhere to put it in perspective. Like this one I just got from Dave Brackmann, currently in Cabo San Lucas:
"Released a fatty 575-600 lb. black today and a 200 blue and a 130 lb. striper..all lure fish. Two sails in the pattern. Hot color is Tony the Tiger (orange over red)."
I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty insignificant right about now ...
The marlin bite is pretty scratchy right now, but I don't know whether to attribute that to an actual decrease in the fish or the fishermen. There were single fish caught during the week off the east end of Catalina, the 267, and the 9-Mile Bank. They were all jigfish - the only "baitfish" were marlin that tried to crash the tuna party by grabbing sardines being soaked on kelp paddies. You know how that story always ends - sadly!
During slow periods in the fishing action - like now - we like to remind you of places in the site that you may not have visited in a while. Our Hot Spot Table is actually one of the oldest pages in the web site, dating back to the earliest days of SCMO. Originally a dump of twenty or so spots from a friends LORAN table, it's grown to a listing of over 100 points, ports, spots and other places of interest. Basically, every location that gets a mention at this site gets a place in the Hot Spot Table.
Recently, I got an email from one of our members who wanted to point out a small problem. In each Fishing News report, the first time I mention a particular location I include a link to that spot on the HS Table. Unfortunately, due to a coding error, the spots weren't jumping right, and the member wanted me to get of my ass and fix it ... er, to point out the error. Since it's never enough to just fix things, I revalidated all the spots and added a bunch of new ones. Also, we added an indicator to let you know which of the spots are below the Mexican border, something that's ever more important in the eyes of the Mexican Navy. Finally, the chart has gone interactive, as it now includes links to the live buoy data for all of the weather buoys listed.
I like to believe I'm a humble guy, but I had a recent experience that drove the point home. My brother was prepping his boat for its first offshore trip, and printed out the Hot Spot Table to plug the spots into his GPS unit. There never being enough time to prepare, only a couple of spots made it into the unit prior to departure, so we brought the printed copy along for reference.
After a long day of trolling, we were approaching the coast and looking for the entrance at Huntington Harbour. As neither of us were familiar with the landmarks surrounding the area, I suggested he simply let the GPS drive him to the opening. Unfortunately, when he checked the chart - you guessed it - it wasn't included! Fortunately, Google works fine on a BlackBerry and I was able to pull up the coordinates from another source in about a minute. It drives home the point, though, that no list is ever complete. If you find I've left your favorite spot off the list, just let me know!
Speaking of updating site features, one long-awaited update is only a couple of days away. Some time back, I took a Dremel tool to a perfectly good Sevenstrand EAL just to see what I'd find. The EAL Autopsy is something I've wanted to complete for a long time, and all I have to do is polish up the words and add it to the Marlin Tutorial. Should make a pretty interesting read ...
I can't help but wonder where they're going, since there can't possibly be anyone left in SoCal who hasn't had their fill of tuna, yet they're still out there to be caught. It's the usual suspects - the 302 inshore, the Butterfly offshore. Dorado and small yellowfin tuna continue to slam anyone who trolls a lure within 10 miles of the coast, but you have to look harder if you want anything of any real size. Bring on those bigeye tuna!
I respect anyone who tries to introduce innovation into our finicky billfish fishery. Whether new tackle or new techniques, it's a risk many are unwilling to take. One new trick that is gaining traction is fishing for swordfish east coast style. Unlike the local style, where you need to be in the right spot, with the deep drop method you also have to be at the right depth. Too shallow, and you feed the sharks - too deep, and no one's home.
We can thank Greg Stotesbury for this new addiction, having brought the idea back with him from Florida. He's got a half-dozen or so boats all fired up about it, and they all think they're going to be the first one to find success. So far, all anyone's gotten has been been a couple of Bigeye Thresher Sharks (JOKER weighed one at the Balboa Angling Club earlier in the week that weighed in at 255-lbs). While one could dismiss this as just one more way to catch sharks, I'm told this is actually a good sign, since the BETs hang in the same part of the water column as the swordfish. It's just a matter of time ... pretty cool!
What the hell - the Weather Radar says there's a thunderstorm about three hours away heading in ... from the east? Probably not big enough to do any thing bad - or good - but ought to piss the dogs off. If you head out this weekend, be sure to drop by the Weather Center and Trip Planner for the very latest information. And, of course, let us know how you do!
August 11
A good weekend, but not a great weekend, and that's something of a surprise. But does it bode well for the rest of the season? You'll just have to keep reading.
This report brought to you by Diet Pepsi Max. I got several concerned emails about my apparent addiction to sugar-free Red Bull, so I just thought I'd pass along that it's not the only addiction present in the Home Office. Ginsing and extra caffeing give DPM a little kick - just what I need when I'm trying to crank out these reports. And sleep is so overrated anyway ...
Damn - Manny Ramirez just drove in two more for the Dodgers. What a hitting machine.
The water keeps warming, and the marlin keep coming, but I'll admit that I'm surprised there wasn't more action over the weekend than there was. There was a decent pick off of the east end of Catalina this weekend, but nothing like I really thought we'd see by now. If you believe the SST charts (insert grain of salt here), there's been a consistent band of warm water hugging the coast for the last couple of weeks, with surface temperatures reaching as high as 75 degrees. Normally, that would provide a "highway" for the marlin to follow, and the increasingly high temperature water would push the marlin further northward. But it's just not happening yet in the quantities I'd expected.
That's not to say that fish aren't being caught. POCO LOCO, SHOWDOWN and REEL EASY all got fish out of the fleet working between the east end and the Avalon Bank, with PL managing to release three for the weekend. But it wasn't the concentration of fish that the size of the fleet would have led you to believe - more one of those "everybody's going to where the radio fish are" moments.
A 33-lb HOLIDAY wahoo. What next?
I mentioned that the water continues to warm up in SoCal. "How warm is it?" How does warm enough to catch wahoo sound? It's not as unlikely as you might think after the HOLIDAY out of Point Loma brought back a wahoo from a day and a half trip. The captain reported the fish being caught offshore of Ensenada, which ain't that far, brother. Will this be the season we again get the Volkswagen-sized bigeye tuna off of Catalina? And is that report of a blue marlin caught off a party boat true? Stay tuned ...
Unlike many of my fellow Americans, I haven't been glued to the TV watching the Olympics. Frankly, they've watered down the whole Olympic spirit to the point that it's just another sporting event. I'd just watch the highlights on ESPN, if only the tightasses at NBC would let them show them. That doesn't mean I haven't followed it from a distance, though. I know, for example that Jason Lezak and the American 4x100 freestyle relay team bitchslapped the French to keep Michael Phelps' dream of 8 gold medals alive.
Sometimes, though, there are those moments that transcend the Olympics. I speak, of course, of the picture of the President of the United States, George W. Bush, spanking beach volleyball star Misty May-Trainor. I know - wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes. The best comment I've seen so far was that he was using her butt as a canvas for shadow puppets, but I just don't know. Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself, and tell me what you think ...
One reason that there aren't as many boats fishing marlin this season is cost, but another may be that there's just too many other species to keep fishing for! The tuna bite, that should have cooled by now, continues unabated. The amazing thing is that a lot of the usual spots are holding both warm water species like yellowfin tuna and dorado and the cooler water varieties like albacore and bluefin tuna. Charter boats and sportfishers have been hitting the east wing of the Butterfly Bank and the area around the San Clemente Basin Buoy, while the smaller boats (and the smarter sporties) have been working closer to the coast. The outer banks have the best variety, particularly the albies and bluefin, but the yellowfin are being caught as close to shore as 10 miles and as far north as Dana Point. And the dorado - well, they're pretty much everywhere.
KNOCK DOWN heads out to sea.
The cost of marlin fishing has always been high, and with the outrageous increases in the cost of fuel it's never been higher. There's a number of boats that are conspicuous in their absense from the fleet this year, and you have to wonder if cost is driving their disappearance.
But there are also new ones, such as Greg Stotesbury's new KNOCK DOWN, shown at right. A battle ready 31-ft Contender that Greg says will charge forward at 50-kts (and 1.8 MPG doing it!), it's a offshoot of the Team Bad Company family tree. I've got to say, between BAD COMPANY (all of them), the fleet of associated boats, the seminars, the tournaments - I can't recall anyone who's had a greater impact in a shorter time on the local marlin scene than Anthony Hsieh. He's brought the same desire to succeed that allowed him to start and sell two successful internet businesses to our sport, and it'll never be the same. It's good to see so much excitement coming to the SoCal marlin scene - now if I could just figure out how to get a piece of it ... :-)
I mentioned in the last report that I'd be fishing on Saturday with my brother on his 24-ft Skipjack MAVERICK. As covered in the Trip Report I filed (you should try it some time ...), it was an eye-opening experience. I've been fortunate enough to fish the family boat HOOKER for over 30 years, so I've never had to face the challenges of owning and operating a boat. After this weekend, I have a new appreciation for what I've had - and what I've missed. People like Greg and Mike Stotesbury, Bob Hoose, and many more of you who read these words have owned boats their entire lives, and have a whole set of experiences on the water I lack - and will probably never have. I've always looked at the boat as a taxi - a way to get where I need to be to do what I want to do. I never saw it as a goal in and of itself. But watching my brother slave over his boat, working out the nagging issues that always plague first voyages, brought a new appreciation for boat ownership - it's more than just a way to get from Point A to Point B. It doesn't matter, since I can't afford one anyway, but it was interesting to have my eyes opened.
If I hear of any more, I'll let you know - please feel free to do the same!
August 7
I'll warn you now - I don't have a lot of information in this report. That's in part because there's never as much action - or fishermen - in the middle of the week, but it's also because the amount of information coming to me is way down. More on that in a minute.
The striped marlin bite is picking up, but hasn't reached any real critical mass. Most of the inshore banks are sporting at least some fish, but so far, none have jumped up as the hot spot. Marlin have been spotted at every bank within 20 miles of the beach from the Mexican border up to the 14-Mile and Avalon Banks, but so far the catches have been few. For the northern fleet, Lynn Jasper continues to enjoy the benefit of fishing during the week, and has made it pay off. She released her third marlin of the season today on WAIT-N-SEA between the 182 and 9-Mile Banks. Give the lady a lead, and she's pretty hard to catch. This weekend should really give us answers, as there will be a serious concentration of boats on the water. If the fish are schooling up anywhere, we'll know by Monday.
The noise on swordfish quited a bit this week, but I suspect that's due more to the scarcity of boats on the water than anything else. With fuel prices what they are, it's amazing there's any midweek fishing at all. Let's hear it for all those whose retirement planning forsaw $5 a gallon fuel ...
Allow me to editorialize for a moment. I talk periodically about how we've been in this internet fishing business for over ten years now (12, actually, but who's counting). It's a source of pride, but also a source of frustration. When you've done something for a long time, you find that it's a constant game of "Keeping Up With The Joneses" - and the Joneses are harder and harder to keep up with.
As the competition gets better - and more corporate - I've been forced to make changes to the site to remain competitive. Several times over the run I've done a total rebuilt of the site to incorporate the latest technology and features, the most recent being back in 2002. We still introduce new things periodically, like the MarlinBlog a couple of years back or the upgraded forums last fall, but it's the same structure we've had for the last few years. Frankly, I'd hoped I'd done my last rebuild, but that's looking less and less likely.
I got somethin' to say!
I bring this up because I fear that SCMO is losing its relevance in the online fishing world. Overall site usage is down, the number of posters - and postings - are way off, and Trip Reports have effectively stopped. Beyond the personal consternation this creates, I believe there is a bigger issue - standing up for the resource. I've always said that I considered SCMO to be the PBS of fishing sites. We don't charge for our services, although we do reward members with little treats like this Fishing News, and we focus on quality over quantity. But, to carry the PBS analogy a little further, we don't bring in money the way other sites do, and so we can't spend money the way they do. You don't see SCMO ads in your favorite fishing magazines, or an SCMO booth at the Fred Hall show or the Big Game Room. But without that, we are dependant on word of mouth to attract new visitors - and we already know that isn't working.
Every off season, I have to sit down and evaluate SCMO's future. Do I saddle up and do it again for another year, or do I stand down. So far, the answer has always been yes, but this year it's gonna be a harder decision. This time, instead of just being willing to stay the course for another season, I have to be willing to step up and upgrade the site - a big job. I'll be honest ... there was a time when I relished the thought of coding a thousand pages, but those days left when I got my first real IT job. Now what used to be a hobby is a job, and is pretty much the last thing I want to come home to. But the truth is, I'll probably do it anyway. Losing SCMO would be a blow to my ego, but a much larger blow to the community. There are lots of other fishing sites, but few dedicated to marlin, and fewer - maybe none - that are as dedicated to preserving the fishery. My ego might survive, but I'm not willing to risk the fish. So in the end, I'll do what I have to do to compete.
That said, you all could make it a whole lot easier for me. By reading this, you've already indicated with your wallet that you are part of the core supporters of this site. Let's face it - the News is fine, but we all know that people pay the $$$ because they believe in the mission - the PBS analogy once again. That means you have a vested interest in this site, and the future of this site - a co-conspirator, if you will. I can and will do most of the hard work, but I need you to do your part.
This report lives and dies on the information I receive from you, and this site on the participation you have in the forums. But if I can't get you to come out and play, how can I hope to attract others? I review the access logs, so I know people visit - they just don't participate. But that participation is what builds the critical mass needed for a site to survive. It's just not good enough for you to stop by and read the fishing news or scan through the postings - you have to participate. That's the incentive others need to step up and do the same. Someone who has never been here will see the forums and notice that there aren't many postings, and assume there's no community behind it. They couldn't be more wrong, but we have to prove it to them.
So take the time when you get back from your trip to post a Trip Report, or drop me an email with your trip details. I visit other sites and see your postings there - I'm not asking you to give that up, just throw us a bone as well. I can't compete with them - yet - but without your help I won't get the chance. Send us your photos so we can spice up the Fishing News or add new shots to La Galeria; post your questions, or answers, or anything over in the forums. Or, if you think we're screwing up and have a better idea, let me know. Just participate - I don't care how. This site has always been based on the community, and without the community it will fail. This is one of those opportunities where you can't be like the Democrats and assume writing a check will solve all that ails - this time, you need to act. And trust me - you'll appreciate the results. OK, off the soapbox now.
What has been a pretty spectacular season for the food fish continues pretty much unabated. Dorado have followed the warm water into the Catalina Bight, and are being seen on all the high spots and under many - but not all - kelp paddies. The northernmost sighting I heard of was the east end of Catalina, but they're really all over. As is their nature, they're being fussy, and you have to get the right batch. The hot ticket sounds like light line and a hot sardine. Yellowtail are still being found, although the numbers appear to be diminishing. I'd attribute that mostly due to fishing pressure from both anglers and spear divers, and the general degradation to paddies from boat drive-thrus.
The 302 was a good bet for midweek yellowfin tuna, as were the Mexican banks below it. Albacore, amazingly enough, continue to be caught in SoCal, and there was a good pick early in the week out at the 43. The 302 and 371 were also yielding longfins, somewhat surprising considering the band of warm water hugging the coast. But where there's bait, there's going to be predators.
That's it for now. I may be on the water Saturday in my brother's Skipjack, which ought to be an adventure. Either way, we'll be back on Monday with the weekend wrap. Good fishing!
August 4
They're heeeere ...
It seems like it took forever, but there are both swordfish and marlin in SoCal waters - and there are people catching them. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them, but at least I was on the water to take notes - and that means better reporting for you! So let's get this party started - it's the SCMO Fishing News!
The big news, of course, is that there are striped marlin north of the border. Several first fish flags were claimed earlier, but the fish had come from Mexican waters. Now, however, we're starting to see true local marlin.
Last Tuesday, Dick Schullman hooked a marlin while fishing on Greg Hickman's HAULIN ARC just below the 209. They lost the fish after a half hour, but soon had another hooked, this time with Greg as the angler. Unfortunately, the fish died while being measured for length and girth. But it did signal that the fish had moved north.
The next local action didn't come until the weekend, when SHOWDOWN found success just a few miles into their first trip of the season. They left Newport Beach Saturday morning and hadn't even reached the 14-Mile Bank when they spotted a marlin. Shane Melton was able to drop back a mackerel and successfully release it a short time later. WAIT-N-SEA, already having a successful week (more on that in a moment), came up to work the same area and found similar results, as Lynn Jasper was able to release a marlin later in the afternoon.
His buddies won't let him live down biting "Gay Bob".
The numbers aren't great yet, but the pick continued on Sunday as Warren Gunter Jr. released a marlin a couple of miles south of the 267 on JEWEL LURE. The fish hit the technicolor Moldcraft shown at right while trolled on the stinger. If you haven't seen the marlin dance video attached to their Trip Report, well, just do it ...
To the south, there was marlin action as well, and several boat found success. Lan Okuda, fishing with husband Harry on their ALFRESCO III, released a marlin Friday on the south end of the 9-Mile Bank, and LEGEND released at least 1 over the weekend - and maybe a couple more. The tuna guys continued to get marlin as "by-catch" as well, and I'm happy to report they're recognizing the need to release them.
We've talked a lot over the years about what water conditions will attract marlin. For my money, it's just temperature, but consistent temperature. If you look at the charts from the past weekend, you can see that there is warm water close to the coast, and out at the 289. But while there was good marlin action inshore, there were none at the 289. Why? Because the ribbon of warm water stretched from where the fish were to the south up to where the fish ended up off Newport - a warm water fish freeway, if you will. Out at the 289, while the water was warm, there was no "bridge" for the marlin to cross to get there. Warm water alone doesn't guarantee fish - they have to have a way to get there.
Put me in, Coach ...
On a personal note, it was great just to get out on the water for a change. Circumstances have conspired against me the last few seasons to limit the number days I can spend chasing billfish. Job demands have limited me to weekend trips, and that usually means I can't fish the family boat - one reason I'm always willing to listen to anyone who's willing to trade my experience for a place in their trolling rotation.
My brother is in a similar situation, but is pursuing a different solution - namely, the 24-ft Skipjack you see pictured here. It's spent a lot more time in the driveway than in the water, but that's about to change, and hopefully I'll be able to get some quality trolling time. If you have a similar Skippy - or know someone who does - I'm sure Rick would be thrilled to talk to you about the myriad of rigging and maintenance issues associated with small boat ownership. Drop me an email and I'll put you in contact.
As excited as we all are to see the marlin arrive, there's quite a buzz currently about swordfish. I don't know what it is about swordfish that make them so scarce some years and plentiful others, but this is definitely looking like the latter. Of course, just because they're around doesn't mean you'll hook them - and even hooking them provides no guarantee of success. There's a pretty big diversity in the kind of fight you'll get, and this past week reminded us of just that.
On Wednesday, WAIT-N-SEA was working the area just outside the 267 when they hooked a swordfish. Now, you take what you get when you hook one of these beasts, and you hope for the best. In this case, the battle lasted until 5AM the next morning, when they finally landed it. By the time they got it to the scales, it weighed in at 385-lbs. I'm guessing Spider is still sleeping it off.
Later in the day, PESCADOR was working the patch of hot water on the 289 when they hooked a swordfish of their own. Owner Doug Daniels was on the rod, and managed to subdue it in "only" two hours. The bite was so hot out there that they soon hooked another, but the hook pulled. Doug's sword weighed 224-lbs on the scales in Avalon. This shows you what a difference there is in the quality of the fight. Be warned - one of the stickboats got one that weighed in at 600-lbs - assuming you could stop it, you might be on that one all week ...
The food fish bite continues unabated, and the Tuna Club has a multispecies event over the weekend that showed just what variety is still out there. Several boats ran out to the east wing of the Butterfly Bank, but the best action came near the San Clemente Basin Buoy, with a mix of albacore, yellowfin and yellowtail. There was the occasional bluefin as well. For the southern fleet, the 371 was the primary destination, with the 425 also seeing action. Same basic mix of species - hard to believe anyone down there has room left in their freezers!
It was a good weekend, and looks to be the start of a great marlin season - stay tuned!
July 28
We've got marlin news and swordfish news. But is it good news or bad news? Makes a fella wonder. All that and at least one rant from your host in this edition of the SCMO Fishing News ...
(cue theme music)
This episode of the SCMO Fishing News is brought to you by sugar-free Red Bull© - only 10 calories per can. The irregular heartbeat is just an extra benefit ... :-)
Let's start with the striped marlin. The first fish flags are dropping quickly, and today the Dana Angling Club saw their first release by Randy Moore who was fishing on the 371. That's the fourth flag (although only the third fish), and the closest one yet to SoCal. Unfortunately, none of the marlin caught thus far have been caught north of the Mexican border. For those of us on tight budgets, that sucks. But our day is coming - all we can do now is get the tackle ready and wait ...
Speaking of first fish flags, I've talked before about how I believe the whole "first released / first weighed" issue needs to be resolved. As it happens, the Balboa Angling Club finds itself in the exact scenario I described in the editorial, as their first dead fish flag remains even though Lynn Jasper already claimed the first release. Earlier this evening, the BAC staff sent out an email talking about the next porch party, and mentioning the presence of the remaining flag. Never one to miss an opportunity, I used this one to remind the membership of the same basic argument I made in the editorial, and how nice it would be to take the lead rather than wait until others force us to change.
Apparently, this hit some kind of nerve, as my email box has been deluged with responses. Amazingly, at least to me, they're only about 2 to 1 in favor of the policy change. It really amazes me the way some stick to the old ways just because they're the old ways! Well, all I can do is keep bringing it up - and you can bet your ass I will!
There's a story running around the wire services about someone who, while playing air guitar, lost a toe in a stage dive. Can't wait to get the details on that one ...
Speaking of press, several large mako sharks were caught this weekend for a local tourney and are garnering a lot of attention from the press. The event winner ran a little over 725-lbs, and an even larger one, weighing over 900-lbs, couldn't be brought to the dock in time for the weigh-in. Of course, they still killed it. Nothing like a big shark and the spectre of "Jaws" - and blood in the water - to bring the press running. What I don't understand is how the same press corps that last week was decrying the killing of sharks for sharkfin soup can now be drooling all over these catches?
Parking will be tight ...
While there are still the occasional marlin sightings up north, most of the action continues to come from folks working the southern banks for pelagics. There was actually a guy today who claimed to have hooked a swordfish on a FishTrap - now that's one hot bait!
Most of the action this weekend surrounded two locations, based primarily on your departing port. Boats running from San Diego - or, I suppose, someone else's gas card - headed south to the 371. At least one marlin was "short released" near there today, and most of the folks working the area got something of a mixed bag - not uncommon to see anglers with the mini slam of yellowfin tuna, dorado and yellowtail. It's the old story - work the kelps and the porpoise, pull at least one cedar plug, and keep your eyes peeled for birds hovering over the fish. But be prepared - it's gonna be a parking lot down there this weekend if the weather holds.
The best northern action came from the 209, but it was nothing like down below. However, several swordfish were hooked there, and unlike those southern hookups that were essentially by-catch, these guys were prepared for what they were targeting. Of course, just because you're prepared doesn't guarantee success ...
Elvis is in the building.
This week's Hard Luck Award goes to Bob Hoose, who was out on PACIFIC PIONEER this weekend. They found a swordfish on the 209, and were ready - big squid for bait, heavy tackle, fighting chair - the works. It took the bait immediately and Bob fought it for two hours before ... well, let Bob tell it ...
"Had the freaking flyer in him - and he still managed to win the battle. I am on suicide watch ... "
There's a reason rod-and-reel swordfish are so highly regarded in SoCal ...
Come to think of it, I don't think this is the first time Bob's won our HLA - I'll have to go back and check the records. You might not think this is an award you'd like to win, but remember - at least he got a shot. What did you do this weekend?
The results are in from our last poll, and an equal number of respondants say that the price of fuel will have a large impact on their fishing, or little impact. Of course, 20 percent said they were selling their boat, and frankly I think that is the number that will likely go up. I notice where the price of oil is down from the all-time high, but I think they're just screwing with us to get us to use more. Look for a new poll soon.
That's it for now - if I hear more, look for in over in the War Room.
July 24
This'll be a quick report, because I'm still waiting for confirmation a couple of items before I can include them here. But I wanted to give you what I have so far.
Want dead fish? Visit a fish market.
The San Diego Marlin Club weighed in their first striped marlin by a member yesterday. I hesitate to refer to it as a "local marlin," since it was caught 70 miles south of the border, but at least it was targeted by a marlin angler. The fish was caught by Michael Fitzgerald while fishing on MIL-SO-MAR. It was a jigfish caught on 50-lb tackle, and weighed 118-lbs.
I'm sorry, but that's just so unacceptable. A rat marlin killed on heavy tackle for a first fish flag? Another proud moment for the Marlin Club ...
We proudly share photos of marlin, but not dead ones, so you'll have to visit their site if you want to see the photo.
Elsewhere, the talk of marlin sightings in local waters is starting to look like just that - talk. I spoke today with two captains who were on the water this week, and neither had seen anything that resembled a marlin. I did hear one report of two tailers being spotted this afternoon on the 14-Mile Bank, but I have my doubts.
According to one of the captains I spoke with, the swordfish numbers are down as well. Not only are the private boaters not seeing many, neither are the stick boats. They still get one or two a week, but that's nothing for them. I haven't heard anything about the water rolling, but these reports would certainly make you think something has happened.
Jetting into Avalon.
In another example of the trickle effect of the price of oil, Catalina Express announced that they're both raising the cost of a ticket and decreasing the speed of the boats to improve efficiency. It's no real surprise, of course, when you consider that diesel fuel is still on the bad side of $5 a gallon. This change will impact a lot of the folks who use the Express boats to run back and forth to Avalon during the marlin tourney season. For me, I always enjoy riding their boats because at 35kts, I get a sense of what it must be like to run down marlin on BAD COMPANY ...
Much like the billfishing, the tuna bite seems to have made a U-turn this week. Lots of folks were playing hookey to run down to the 371, where there was a good mix of tuna - albacore, bluefin and yellowfin - and even some dorado thrown in as well. Most of the boats were getting a few, and while no amount of fish can justify the cost of the fuel it takes to make the run to get it, at least everyone was getting blood on the decks.
It's always a risky proposition running offshore, particularly if your course takes you south into Mexican waters. One boat learned that lesson the hard way on Friday when they ran into a tuna pen in the middle of the night, and spent the next 12 hours trying to negotiate their way out. We wrote about it over in the MarlinBlog, but it's a lesson that bears repeating - when it's your boat, it's your responsibility ... you gotta be damned careful, because you won't always be as lucky as these guys were.
That's it for now. As I said, I'm trying to get confirmation on a couple of late-breaking items, including at least one more possible marlin catch. Check back - I'll include it in this report as soon as I can.
UPDATE: I was finally able to confirm what I learned on Thursday afternoon - WAIT-N-SEA was on the way home from Mexico claiming the first release for the Balboa Angling Club. Lynn Jasper was the angler, and the fish was released Tuesday near the 371. Again, I hesitate to call this a local marlin, but if the BAC will give up the flag for it, hey, it counts. Besides, at least she released it ...
July 21
A little of this, and a little of that. Oh, and some honest-to-God marlin sightings! All that and more - it's the SCMO Fishing News!
(cue theme music)
OK, let's cut to the chase: no one got that first targeted striped marlin this weekend. (As an aside, I'm still looking for the right way to say "first marlin caught by someone who was actually spending the time and money to try and catch one, rather than an opportunistic and lucky tuna guy who tossed a sardine to a striper on the way home from the tuna grounds." If you have a better phrase that will pass muster in our obscenely politically correct world, please pass it along.). But the fact that marlin are being seen at all is a good thing - particularly considering we're past the day when the first one of the season was caught in three of the last five seasons.
Holy crap - rolling over to get the Marlins score (they lost), I see where the Dodgers rolled an 8 against the Rockies in the first inning. Gonna have to multi-task and stream that one live, so if my train of thought seems choppy over the next few paragraphs, you'll know why ...
Back to the ocean-bound marlin - there still haven't been any catches by the fleet, nor do they seem to be hungry yet. That's pretty common, as for some reason the first fish into the area tend to be pretty picky and not interested in anything offered. At some point, though, the switch will flip, and they'll go on the chew. You don't want to be on the beach when that happens.
As for sightings, they seem to be close to shore - or at least that's where the boats are seeing them. I got first-hand reports of sightings on the 14-Mile Bank, the Avalon Bank and the 267 outside of Dana Point. Marlin were also reportedly seen on the 181 and 209, but I haven't heard of anything further off shore. Does that mean the fish are hugging the warm water along the coast, or just that no one is heading outside of Catalina. Probably a little of both.
Oops ... 9-0.
Is that a tailer?
I feel bad, because looking through the last few reports, I don't see many pictures. Of course, I've been away lately, and there haven't been any fish catches to photographically document, but I know there's a certain portion of the MNAC membership that really don't want to deal with a lot of words.
But it's important for you to know that just because we aren't seeing any marlin, that doesn't mean we aren't looking. Using the vast resources of SCMO, we are constantly looking for new ways to scour the seas for the elusive billfish. In fact, at left you see our newest spotter, astronaut Karen Nyberg, scanning for fins from her position at the porthole in the newly-delivered Kibo module of the International Space Station. Eat your heart out, BadCo - who's got the high ground now *grin* ...
Somewhat lost among the search for tuna and billfish have been the reports on swordfish. Several were hooked last weekend off the east end of Catalina, but I didn't hear of anyone having a similar success this week - nor have there been any successfully caught broadbill. The stick boats are hard at work, though, working inside of Catalina and getting good numbers. Just keep your eyes open, your frozen squid at the ready, and your harness pulled up tight ...
In my current job, I'm part of a team that's developing software for use across many sites throughout the country. As a result, I have virtual meetings via phone and WebEx with people in several time zones. Usually, the guy organizing the meeting is smart enough to take that into consideration ... ususally. Tomorrow morning, I'm participating in one that starts at 8AM St. Louis time. Know what that is on the west coast? Anyone? Bueller? That's right, kids - 6AM. Six-freakin-o-clock. Good to know they'll get my very best ...
Don't blink ... 11-0 - and it's only the third inning. This could be a barn-burner.
If tuna is your thing, then you're probably a little disappointed. We knew that the warm water would likely chase off the albacore, and it has. The furthest north I saw a report of albacore was the 371, and the only thing close to decent numbers required a run south to the 390. I heard of at least one boat that was running for albacore and figured they'd have to run 200 miles to get acceptable numbers and grade.
With the departure of the cold water tunas, and the rapidly warming sea surface temperatures, you'd think that the warm water species - yellowfin and bigeye - would be starting to show up in numbers. And you'd be wrong. There are some yellowfin being caught, but no real size or quantity. What's worse, the reports of large numbers of tuna running with schools of dolphin seemed to have tailed off as well. Need even more bad news? Most of the kelps north of the Mexican border are empty, meaning the yellowtail have vacated to other waters or others' coolers. On the bright side, though, we're starting to see some dorado arrive in SoCal - a trend that should continue.
16-3 in the fifth, but the Dodgers had to pull pitcher Eric Stults, so he won't get the win. That'd suck ...
That's pretty much a wrap from here. We're at that point where I think we'll start to see more people plunk down the cash to burn some dinosaurs and head offshore. Of course, if you do, the least you can do is share the news - good or otherwise - with the rest of us in the form of a Trip Report ... :-)
July 17
No report - still on travel. But let's face it - there's nothing to report right now, anyway!!
July 14
Good news - my broadband is back up. Bad news - I'm on my way out of town on business. Man, I just can't cut a break - but that doesn't mean there won't a fresh edition of the Fishing News!
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I'm packing for a trip this morning (and for once, it'll take me closer to the fishing, instead of further - more about that in the MarlinBlog), so no fancy graphics or bad jokes. Let's just share what we know.
It didn't break open this weekend, but the signs continue to look good. The march of the warm water tuna continued, and there was a decent bite for yellowfin tuna on both the 181 and 209 spots. It sounds like if you see kelp or dolphin, you should toss some bait - if you don't get the tuna, you're likely to find a nice size yellowtail. If we can get through a couple of weeks without storms rolling the water, things should get very interesting.
Got no marlin reports this weekend, but the swordfish spottings continue to increase. Tough luck award for the weekend goes to Pat Holmes and HAWK. For the second weekend in a row, he hooked a swordfish, only to see it break off. He was working the 152 off the East End of Catalina, and unlike last weekend, when they didn't get close, this time they had it to the swimstep before losing the fish. You know what they say, Pat - that what does not kill me makes me stronger. If you keep hooking them, you'll find success. Hell, most of us can't even get them to take the bait ...
July 11
This report is 12 hours late, because my internet connection is out and I'm having to post this from my BlackBerry - thank you very little, Time Warner Cable ...
I can only type so fast with my thumbs, so let's just cut to the chase: while there are still albacore and bluefin being caught on the 295 and 238, this is shaping up to be an epic warm water season. Yellowfin tuna are climbing up the chain of inner banks, and have come as far as the 267 (confirmed) and 14-Mile Bank (rumored). Combine that with an increase in marlin sightings (although still no catches) and things look really good.
Oh, and a swordfish was hooked earlier this week on the 209.
Why are you still reading this - shouldn't you be on the water?
Assuming my cable is back up (I'll just steal a local wireless signal if not *grin*), we'll have the full wrap on Monday.
July 7
I would love to be able to tell you that the offshore season blew wide open over the long holiday weekend, and that anglers were catching their fill of tuna, marlin and swordfish.
I would also love to be able to tell you that I'm young and rich, but that would be a lie, too ...
The truth of the matter is that I was supposed to spend the weekend on the water, picking up lots of good information. Instead, I spent it on the beach after we blew up the generator, so I don't know much more than you do. I do know that they didn't catch any marlin or swordfish, and they continue to scratch for the tunas, but that's ain't much.
Each season, I reserve the right to one mulligan on the Fishing News - I'm taking mine now. I'll make it up to you on Thursday - if only the fish will cooperate.
July 1
Weather, weather everywhere - and not a drop to ...
Wait a minute - I'm mixing my metaphors ... and when I could be mixing a martini, instead, too ...
This report's gonna sound a lot like the Weather Channel, but rest assured, it really is the SCMO Fishing News!
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Rough weather was an issue last weekend, and it's starting to look like might be that way again for the upcoming holiday weekend. Those boats that tried to run down the tuna got knocked around quite a bit, and if anything, the conditions are deteriorating. Currently, there is a gale warning covering the waters from Santa Cruz to San Clemente Islands that will last through late Thursday night. Since we know it will likely slide south-southwest, that means trouble for those on the tuna grounds or hoping to run to Pyramid Head.
Released to fight another day.
We've received no new marlin reports; in fact, other than the one incidental catch caught far south, I haven't heard any marlin reports that I'd call reliable. The water rolled last weekend, resulting in cooler surface temperatures, and that will certainly confuse things for northward-moving marlin. We get very few reports out of Ensenada and the area around the Finger Bank any more, but I hope to troll up some info from that region - traditionally, when they start to see numbers, I start to get excited.
Swordfish are being occasionally seen, but not in any numbers. I haven't heard of any being hooked in the last ten days or so.
Just to whet your appetite, though, here's a nice shot of a Louisiana sailfish being released last weekend, courtesy of Justin Roper of Makaira Pulling Lures.
So, have you got your asshat yet? It's the law now in California. But remember - just because you have an asshat, doesn't mean you have to be an Asshat ...
Certain fishing sites, like that one sponsored by a phone number that keeps spamming me with useless crap, would have you believe that there's a wide-open tuna bite going on. While it's true that some boats are getting some fish, it's really not that great just yet. The cattleboats had been getting decent numbers, and the fish were just about in range of the single day trip before the weather set in. Now, most of the landings aren't even advertising their counts - and you know that can't be good.
A nice mix of tuna.
For boats out over the weekend, the place to start was the 302. Most boats managed to scratch out a few albacore, and there was the occasional yellowfin and bluefin as well. But as you can see from this mixed batch, there's not a lot of size to it. I'm not hearing of any that are over 20 lbs. Much of the success is coming by trolling around kelp paddies, but I'm not hearing of many yellowtail being caught the way you might think this method would produce.
As the fleet started to spread, some found success south towards the 371. For those who didn't want to deal with the whole Mexican license thing, the tuna were good enough to make a showing Sunday at the 182; however, the weather pretty much squealched that bite. As one person put it who was working the area today without success, "This is no place for a 25-ft Parker ..."
One unfortunate side effect of all the people searching for the tuna is that they're effectively serving as the eyes and ears for a couple of seiners that are currently patrolling the high spots. As soon as it seems there's any concentration of fish being seen, they swoop in and wrap it. This is creating a great deal of consternation in the fleet, particularly with those who insist on putting everything they see on the air and publicizing every catch they make. I saw a statement on another site tonight that made the issue pretty clear: "They'll hide their hoop netting spots like it's a big secret, but will tell everyone - including the seiners - exactly where the tuna are." Sharing information is a good thing, but you have to use some common sense, too.
Like everyone else, the weather is putting a crimp on the HOOKER plans. The thought was that we'd head over to Pyramid Head and use that as a base of operations for the weekend, hoping that the tuna would come up the ridge to - and maybe beyond - the 43. There are a couple of reports that someone may have gotten a couple there, but it sounds a lot more like a story swapped at the Marlin Club. But it at least sounded like a decent plan - or did, until the weather took a crap. My guess is that the gale warnings that are up north now will spread over SCI by Thursday - just in the time it's taken me to write this report, several local areas have issued Small Craft Advisories. I'm all for running for the tuna, but it just doesn't make much sense to get your ass beat up for a handful of small albies. At least, that's one man's opinion.
So now, I have no idea what the plan is. I know we'll make it at least as far as the Horseshoe Kelp, and if all we do is sit and fish barracuda, well, that still makes for a pretty good weekend. You know that wherever we go, I'll be filing a Trip Report to share it with everyone. You should do the same!
However you spend the weekend, do so in a safe and sane manner. Remember - fingers don't grow back ...
June 26
If the opening days are any indication, it's gonna be an interesting season. We've seen an early arrival of both marlin and swordfish, and an increase in the price of fuel that's edging the stratosphere. Making things even worse, the local fleet's taken a pair of hard punches that have left it reeling.
GRANDER awaits its fate at the hands of the sea.
The week started with services for local marlineer Jim Madden, whose tragic Father's Day death continues to reverberate throughout the SoCal fishing community. His formal services on Monday were followed by a burial at sea on Tuesday - you can see pictures from the event here.
This past weekend saw an event that was less tragic, but no less surprising. The GRANDER, out of Oceanside, hit San Clemente Island near Pyramid Head on Friday. The Coast Guard was able to rescue the crew, but the boat appears to be a total loss. Making a difficult situation even worse, looters discovered the boat very quickly and were able to strip it before owner Greg Bohnet could return, a scant 12 hours later. There's a lot of talk elsewhere on the Internet about who might have done it, as well as a possible recovery of some of the items. More about this as it becomes available.
Let's talk about a happier subject, shall we? How about fishing?
Around this time each year, the water temperature starts to rise, and the pelagic species start to return to SoCal. There are already reports of both albacore and bluefin tuna - the traditional cold water tunas - being caught on the 302 and 371. However, I'm not sure this is going to be remembered as a great tuna year. When we were out for the Madden burial, I snuck a look at the sea temp gauge - 69.4! That's mighty warm for June, and makes me think this is going to be a warm water fishing season. That means yellowfin and bigeye tuna - and marlin!
You might not know it, but the first SoCal marlin of the season has already been caught. A San Diego boat was out last Saturday, fishing a multi-species event, when they stumbled across a marlin sunning itself on the 302. They had no traditional marlin gear, but got it to eat a bait rigged on straight 30-lb test line, and were able to release the fish after an hour. This is not an uncommon way for the first fish to be caught, and the tuna fishermen often serve as the "Distant Early Warning" for the marlin fleet.
At SCMO, we use all our resources to bring you the Fishing News.
As you might imagine, these are hectic times here at SCMO, as we dust off the computers and charts, scramble to find the phone numbers and frequencies, and do our best to bring you the latest information. Our crack staff is busy using every technological tool available to gather every possible tidbit for the Fishing News. In fact, there's one now at right. You might have already figured it out, but this is probably a good time to remind you that you can see the full size image of all Fishing News pictures by simply clicking on them ...
No swordfish have been landed yet, but several have been seen and at least two hooked. For those needing more proof, you need go no further than Avalon, where several stickboats have brought swordfish to the scales. The best part is that you can order the results of their success at several local restaurants in town ... :-)
This may or may not be a great fishing weekend coming up. The weather is predicted to be good, and the fishing reports keep heating up. But with fuel prices on the bad side of $5 a gallon, and the long Independance Day weekend only a few days off, I'm betting most boats will opt out of this weekend in favor of next. That's certainly the plan for HOOKER, which will be running to San Clemente next Thursday. But just in case you do head out this weekend, don't forget that your first stop when you return should be SCMO to post a Trip Report. Sure, you could head to those other sites and post it there, but why? This is the place to come to share the news with your peers, without the harsh judgement or pithy language. For fishermen, by fishermen - that's the SCMO mantra. Check back on Monday, when we'll have the weekend wrap!
June 23
About this time every year, I drag myself to the keyboard, open a fresh file (and a cold beverage), crack my knuckles and attack the keyboard to create the first entry in a new season of the SCMO Fishing News. Normally, that first entry consists of me complaining about how short the offseason had been, how much (or little) I got done on the site, how unprepared I was for the upcoming season, all wrapped in a couple of really bad jokes. That will all come, but not today. We unfortunately must start this season on a sad note.
RIP Jim Madden
On Father's Day, SCMO lost a friend with the passing of Jim Madden. All SoCal offshore anglers knew Jim, either by his yellow-hulled boat ONO or his many radio calls looking for information. No one was as persistent at getting the latest dope than Jim, and he wiggled his way into code groups the rest of us didn't even know about.
ONO was one of those boats that wasn't afraid to go wherever the fish were, no matter how distant they might be. As a result, on those weekends when the rest of us were tightly bunched together all eyeballing each other, Jim was often far away - and more often than not, he was the guy with a fish. He'd be pounding it earlier in the season than most, and was usually still working the grounds long after the winter storms had chased the rest of us back to the beach.
I'm not much of a social guy, but there are those club and tourney events that you have no choice but attend. Frankly, I'd rather pull out a fingernail, but I found that all I had to do was find Jim and one of us would buy the other a round and we'd spend the rest of the time laughing at it all. Frankly, tourney season just won't be the same.
Jim was working alone on his boat two Sundays back, and dove under the hull to perform routine maintenance. An experienced swimmer, this was nothing new to Jim, but on this day something went wrong and he never surfaced. Most of us got the news in a series of shocked phone calls just as we settled down for Father's Day dinner. It's a somber reminder that none of us knows the number of days in our lives, and we should make the most of every one.
Jim's ashes will be scattered off of Palos Verdes tomorrow afternoon, near one of his favorite surf spots. Boaters are leaving Cabrillo and will meet up with surfers who will paddle out to meet the fleet. It will be quite a sendoff, one of which I'm sure Jim would approve. You can get the details on the event at this posting in the Marlin Club, and read a touching rememberence of Jim in the Daily Breeze.
On Thursday, we'll be back with an update on the first local marlin of the year (well, almost local) as well as several near-misses on swordfish and the latest tuna news. For now, though, we dedicate this season's Fishing News to Jim Madden and all those whose passing will rob us all of competitors and friends.
Note: These reports are copyright © 2008 by Southern California Marlin Online. They can be reproduced elsewhere provided they are not edited and credit is given to SCMO as the source.
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