MARLIN - J.D.'s
Big Game Tackle Tuesday's Report
Oct 31 2000
Marlin fishing still going on , Vic Sommers aboard his Sleeper had two knockdowns by noon
today and saw several other quick batches of feeders up while fishing straight of front of
Dana Pt.
As the Anchor Drags, and it's still dragging! The Black & Blue tournament get more and more controversial every year. Latest dope is that Wayne Bebe has been detained in Mexico till he or the courts can sort out this the latest mess. Interpretations of infractions and / or other allegations of cheating are common these past few days. Fishing was poor for the number of boats that were out and lost fish stories were about as abundant as it was getting baits, a few round and only the lucky ones had em'. Everyone who had on a Melton T-Shirt had a curse on them! As the anchor drags!
MARLIN - Marty Morris
Marlin Club Report Date: 29 Oct 2000 Time:
18:46:02
Went out for a two hour "look-see" this AM (Sunday, 10-29) out on the
"9." Temp 67, water flat, glassy most of the time I was there, some
sauries showing and saw one bona fide feeder at 8 miles, 220 degrees at 12 noon. Made a
few trolls over the spot for naught. But at least there was one there. Marty
MARLIN - Southern
California Marlin On-line Martin Schneider Oct-25-00, 06:59 PM
(PDT)
"Marlin" Enroute to the 14 mile, got stopped 1.5 m west by feeding marlin.
Baited 2 but no go. Saw more feeders and 1 jumper. Look for the shower of sauries, where
ever they are you will find marlin. Also had a large mako ruin my purple tuna feather.
Water 68 lots of good size marlin Oct. 24.
MARLIN - Southern
California Marlin On-line Oceanlure
Sportfishing Oct-25-00, 04:10 PM (PDT)
"Bisbee's Black and Blue Update" It's been quiet on this board. Most
likely that a lot of the West Coast regulars are in Cabo competing in the tournament.
Well, here's a quick update on what's going on in Cabo for those who can't be there
hunting those Black and Blues. A 395lb Blue Marlin was brought in by Rafael Fernandez from
Leon on the boat "Rora" or "Roka" (sp)? The fish was taken on an 8lb
live tuna. Checkout www.oceanlure.com
for more detail to come.
MARLIN - J.D.'s
Big Game Tackle Thursday's Report
-Calm seas, overcast and grease, great conditions for glassing.
-The Yellowtail and White Sea Bass off the Newport's Artificial reefs still held a few
fish this morning. The bottom structure (large slabs of cement) on the S/E side ate up
many of the hooked fish. It also eats anchors so watch where you drop the hook.
-11 1/2 miles from Newport to the south (Aliso Canyon) 3/4 miles off the beach they were
catching 12/20lb Yellowtail. They ate the bigger anchovies or sardines as well as blue and
white iron worked well. The half day boats hung many fish but lost half of them to rent
rod anglers. 9:30am
-The No Excuses hooked another marlin this morning, while fishing outside Dana Pt. Three
sleepers that wouldn't eat the first time sunk out, Stan on the Hooker worked the same
numbers a little later on and found maybe the same fish which again sunk out, Steve on the
No Excuses returned to the numbers and finally got a fish to bite. 9:45am
-Even a few tunas around off the Dana to Newport area 5 to 8 miles off the beach, under
the dolphins.
MARLIN - J.D.'s
Big Game Tackle Thursday's Report
-Calm seas, overcast and grease, great conditions for glassing.
-The Yellowtail and White Sea Bass off the Newport's Artificial reefs still held a few
fish this morning. The bottom structure (large slabs of cement) on the S/E side ate up
many of the hooked fish. It also eats anchors so watch where you drop the hook.
-11 1/2 miles from Newport to the south (Aliso Canyon) 3/4 miles off the beach they were
catching 12/20lb Yellowtail. They ate the bigger anchovies or sardines as well as blue and
white iron worked well. The half day boats hung many fish but lost half of them to rent
rod anglers. 9:30am
-The No Excuses hooked another marlin this morning, while fishing outside Dana Pt. Three
sleepers that wouldn't eat the first time sunk out, Stan on the Hooker worked the same
numbers a little later on and found maybe the same fish which again sunk out, Steve on the
No Excuses returned to the numbers and finally got a fish to bite. 9:45am
-Even a few tunas around off the Dana to Newport area 5 to 8 miles off the beach, under
the dolphins.
MARLIN - J.D.'s
Big Game Tackle Tuesday's Report
-Bonito along the Newport to Laguna coastline 1 to 3 off the beach, work the birds with
trolled feathers. Excellent fishing for White Sea Bass and Yellowtail on the Newport
Artificial Reefs these past few days, The white's were at 11 fathoms the Yellows in a
little deeper water.
-Were 0 for five, hooking them but loosing them 1:35pm Newport Reef. 49/65 Tons of fish
here we can't put one on the boat! If you got big baits you'll get bit!
-Tuna Fishing seems to still be hanging in there, most of the fish have drifted southward
from the 209 fathom spot towards Clemente Island
-Marlin were showing in the lee of Clemente Is. as well as tight to Church Rock Catalina
Is. over the past weekend another fish (Jig) was lost on the Avalon Bank and a single
tailer seen on the 14 yesterday. One feeder off Church this morning 200 yds off the rock.
More life closer to the island than further off. 66 /67 off Catalina east End. 65.5 on the
14 this afternoon
-Yellowfin 3 miles off the East End of Catalina Island all big fish 25/30lb
-They're up now, birds crashing the works, 2:20pm
-42 hookup for 20 fish, WSB & YT
-Boats looking for marlintoday worked the 14 Mile Bank, , 209, 181, back towards Oceanside
and again back to the 14 for only a little life near the 14 eariler this morning and some
dolphin 6 off Newport this afternoon. Alot of water covered and not much up today., The
only marlin report was that stuff off Church Rock in the morning.
-Overcast and hazy all day, no wind
Debate Issues
What all the fuss about debates, I always thought the debate was the thing you put on da
hook! How long will these marlin hang around our waters is anyone's guess, old timers of
the sport say when you see a lot of jumpers then get ready cuz tomorrow they may just
disappear, simply vanish, So fish em' while they're still here. In going over my notes I
find a copy of a log from the "Clipper" dated late September 1987 where 9
striped marlin were sonic tagged by the Dept of Fish and Game in their efforts to gain
some knowledge of their movements during the Gill Net controversy days. The marlin were
caught by sport anglers on private boats, (Billfisher, Wait n Sea, Espadon, Fish n' Fun,
Jidona, etc) and anglers called in the Clipper whom came to their assistance when a marlin
was being played out. Brought along side the boat a sonic tag was inserted as well a
"pink" ribbon was attached to it's tail for sight Identification, released and
the tracking began. In some cases the tagging sequence lasted only a few hours till it was
lost or fell out but most in most cases it went on for 24 hours or so. In the tracking of
these fish there was one thing noticeable in all the fishes, that was of movement, an
example would be on the Fish N Funs fish which was tagged near the 14 Mile Bank at 2:00pm.
Every 10 minute or so a fix was logged of its movements of both geographically and also in
its depth. By 5:00 pm the fish had moved up the near the Oil Rigs, by midnight it had
circled back around to the outside and crossed it own path again heading towards Dana.
Dawn the fish was inside the 14 by 4 miles where it again returned towards the bank only
to make an abrupt turn around and head back towards Laguna. At Noon it was heading again
up the coastline along the 300 fathom depth. The average depth the fish swam was about
30ft , sometimes deeper other times surfing on the waves going down swell. At one point,
6:00 am the following morning the fish was spotted with 4 other marlin sleeping. Two other
factors were identified, first with the ribbon tied to it's tail they could visually spot
the fish. One fish tagged south of Church Rock traveled to the east over the 152 Fathom
Spot joining up with several other tailers, surfing downswell over the bait grounds, the
observers lost track of it after several miles, upon no longer being able to find it they
ran back to their original location in hopes of another sportboat hooking another fish in
that area, lo and behold their fish was again responding on the signal, the fish had
surfed downswell through the bait grounds working with other fish in balling up the bait,
feeding on them and continued through the ground till the baits became scarce then swam
underwater uphill to get above the bait grounds and begin to down swell surf again, using
the least amount of effort for the most amount of food. The second thing which was most
amazing was the distance they can travel when they want to, One fish tagged neat the 14
Mile Bank in the afternoon went towards the beach towards sunset, then turned southwards
along the 250 fathom line (67 degrees and off color) and went almost in a straight line
down the coastline. By dawn the fish was off North Island Coronado Islands, then worked in
lazy curves to the west and below San Clemente Island, joined by other jumping marlin,
where because of the observers time frame they discontinued their observation of the fish,
and we never found out whether the fish turned south to go to Mexico or the the West
towards Hawaii? Just rec3ently a marlin was tagged here of So Calif with a Pop-off tag
which well send out to a Satilite the movements of the fish in 6 months or so.
MARLIN - Marty Morris
Marlin Club Report 10/11/00
Here it comes - the report of yet another ocean safari - one that even the High Seas Fuel
Dock could be proud of. The past week-end saw several fish, mainly sleepers in the
vicinity (182, 302, 181,etc and even a fish taken 5 1/2 miles off the Mission Bay Jetty.
Could this have been the vanguard of the "Catlina Herd" moving southward?
Therefore, with nice weather predicted, two of us decided to take advantage of the Monday
Holiday. And so, up at 4 AM, cured bait in the tank and off we went.
We put the lines out about 6 miles off the beach at the LaJolla canyon and headed up the line. We stayed in the 5-6 miles range off shore - past Delmar, past Oceanside, past San Onofre, past San Mateo, past Dana Point and then turned to the south. At the 267-279 we found no boats and lots of tuna jumping out of the water everwhere. In fact many of them looked like 20-25 pounders as opposed the football size. And on we went. Half way between the bank and the 209 there was a fleet of about 40 boats - of all sizes - and virtually all stopped. Everyone was crankin them in - jigs, slow trolling anchovies, fly lining, etc, etc - every way possible. We judicially used only the larger marlin lures and managed to avoid being stopped. So on and on we went. By late morning the seas had gone from slight chip to smooth to flat to glass. If there was a feeder, tailer, jumper, sleeper within miles to either side we couldn't possibly have missed him.
Behind us, the First String, a party boat, coming out to joing the fleet found a misplaced sleeper, called in the near-bye yachts, but, of course, it sank out before anyone could get close. From the 209 we headed to the 312 and part way pulled in the lines and ran to the 181. There we put them back in and went down the ridge to the 182. Along the way we saw a couple of spots of tuna - one with football jumpers, and one with some fairly large rolls. And then - the excitement of the day. In trolling past a kelp paddy (I still don't know if it is "paddy" or "patty") we had a fish boil on one of the jigs. Small boil - no bite- still out there. And yes, that was "IT." No sleepers, no feeders, no jumpers, no biters, no tailers.
My opinion (for what it is worth) is that the herd continued on past Long Point, the Isthmus, West End, Osborn bank and have long since paid their repects to San Nicholas Island as they go back to from where they came. I hope I'm wrong but I am getting tired of moving the cured bait back and forth from the receiver to the boat and back again. But if all I am losing is the one hooked bait then all I'm losing is a lot of cat food. And, of course, contributing to the Bill Poole fuel dock retirement plan. Yesterday, I heard that at least a couple BETS were taken at the 224. And - if anyone has some time, extra light sticks and some squid - the gillnet boats were setting out their nets 20 miles from the point, 270 - just inside and below the 182. And from their talk on the radio (channel 18) they indicated that they had been doing "real well." There were four boats in the fleet and I suspect there will be more soon. So catch up on your sleep, make an appointment with Joe Singer, and give it a try. Marty (Boy, that boil looked good! Unfortunately, there weren't any fins to go with it)
-Ten will they leave, after the third storm from the north. This may be the second one
now!
-Just reported the the Espadon Caught a 210lb Broadbill Swordfish , Hooked on 80lb tackle
on Sunday at noon and landed that evening at 6:0pm They were fishing the waters above San
Clemente Island, they had the double out of the water at least 30 times and the double on
the reel 5 times before they were able to hold it and get a gaff into it. JD , Congrats to
Dave and Crew.
October 9
Sometimes, I get it right. I'll look at the reports, the data, and the history, and I'll
predict where the marlin will go. A couple of times each year, I make the right call and
the email reflect the gratitude of happy anglers. Then, there's a weekend like this one. I
said I thought the fish would head up west, and several people took that statement and ran
with it. The marlin did not appear, and the emails were not nearly so complementary.
For what it's worth, I'm not entirely surprised the marlin did not appear up there. I quite frankly figured the season was over, and winterized all my marlin gear. I even spent the weekend on the beach, catching up with a lot of long-neglected tasks. So you can imagine my surprise and chagrin when I got a trip report from my father telling me that not only were there marlin being found, but that he had released one over the weekend.
The aforementioned action was on the 267 Sunday. The weather Saturday had been nasty and kept a lot of the fleet in port, but those looking for tuna on Sunday often found marlin as well. Feeders were seen on the 14 Mile Bank and off of Church Rock, but HOOKER, SHOWDOWN and WAIT N SEA all got their fish on or near the 267. To the south MARIE B got a marlin 6 miles out of Mission Bay, but that was the only report we got from down there. For reasons known only to them, ESPADON was working off of San Nicolas Island when they got a swordfish to go. Several hours later, they landed the 210-pounder.
The good news for local fishermen remains the yellowfin tuna. They're pretty much everywhere you want to look. The hot spots remain the 267 and the 209, which more closely resembled parking lots on Sunday. Further south, the 181 is producing well along with the ridge to the south. There's two sizes of fish, football sized 6 to 8 pounders and larger fish to 25 lbs. Unfortunately, you don't know which you're fishing until you get them. The tuna are hitting most of the standard tuna jigs, but here's Stan's tip o' the week - if you're looking for the bigger fish, troll marlin lures. The big guys will hit'em and the footballs will leave them alone. It's late in the year, and the fishing's getting tougher. That means its more important than ever that we get your trip reports - whether you catch fish or not. Let us know where you were and what you saw. It just might increase the accuracy of those predictions I make!
October 5
Somehow, it never fails to amaze me just how quickly our marlin fishing can go sour.
Normally, we look for the first big November storm to make the stripes turn tail and run.
While the weather has been moderate this week, there's no question the fish are missing.
Does this mean the season's at an end? The bite that materialized in the lee of Santa
Catalina Island during the Catalina Classic was never a great one, but with the intense
fishing pressure, it turned out some decent numbers. Now, it appears that the bite may
have shut off altogether. Despite reports of fish being seen, the only local catches have
been one on the 267 on Tuesday and another today on the 14 Mile Bank. We also heard of one
released earlier in the week on the 9 Mile Bank. The fish are being seen in wide area
roughly from the 277 to the 267 to the mid channel rigs to the west end of Catalina. The
SST charts don't support it (heck, we haven't had a cloud-free pass in weeks!), but we've
gotten a lot of on-the-water reports indicating that the temperature has dropped
significantly during the week. Personally, I'd still look for the marlin to make an
appearance to the west.
While the marlin fishing has slowed, the yellowfin tuna continue to range over a wide area of local waters. Football-sized YFT are being found from the 267 down to the 302 and pretty much everywhere in between. While kelps and porpoise continue to hold fish, most that are being caught are from open water schools. Best bets have been the Butterfly Bank, 181, and 390.
We received several interesting reports indicating the dorado may still be sticking
around despite the late date. Several boats working the 181 for tuna reported finding
paddies thick with dodos, and they've been found on the 267 as well. Pretty amazing for
October! If you're frustrated at the fishing, perhaps you should stay on the beach
and check out the discussions in the Marlin Club. We've had some pretty amazing
conversations going on, with top anglers from around the world commenting on such diverse
topics as teaser usage, single vs. double hooks on lures, and reforming tournament rules
to decrease the number of killed marlin. Some great stuff going on over there ... check it
out!
Stan Ecklund Jr
LOCAL FISHING REPORTS - Affordable
Marine Wed, 4 Oct 2000
-Daily Double from Point Loma caught : 1 barracuda, 2 bonito, 1 calico bass, 8 rockfish,
& 4 sculpin
-H & M Landing 38 anglers on the ¾ day got 73 yellowtail, 8 bonito, 3 barracuda,
& 2 sculpin
-Seaforth 2 , 3/4 day trips had 40 anglers catch 67 yellowtail , 23 Bonito , 1 Barracuda ,
10 Calico
-These yellowtail are coming from the Coronado Islands , the half day boats are catching a
few yellowtail in the local kelp beds as well but pretty slow .
-Tuna fishing is still steady for the smaller yellowfin tuna which are pretty well all
over the place 12 miles offshore and further anywhere from San Clemente Island to the 390
fathom spot and below. dorado are still in the mix and bigeye tuna are still being caught
everyday , much better odds of big eye then a Marlin , but the Marlin are starting to show
up almost daily in the reports .
-Kelp pattie fishing has been really slow in over a month , not alot of bait fishing going
on , mostly trolling and jig strikes , things should be about to change . Bigger counts of
dorado and yellowtail from the kelps as they settle in for the last of the season.
-Weather is the thing to be watching for right now , a couple strong storms back to back
will quickly close the dorr on the exotic fishing season and turn us into Rock cod
fisherman.
-Seasurface temperatures remain prime at 67-71 degrees and good temperature breaks
continue to form from the 425 to China Point on San Clemente Island . Clouds have stopped
the daily satelitte images from coming in but when it clears I will post the latest images
with the zoom in lens.
BIGEYE - Affordable Marine
Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 22:53:32 EDT
Dawn-302-nothing. Went between 302 and 224 until 10. one dodo-8lb. 10am - On the way to
182 -marlin spotted wouldn't bite. About 5 miles from the 182 blind strike, something big,
on a cd18 dorado color - Broke off, line was frayed. We think it was a shark/mako. 5 miles
north past 182, 70 degree water, yellowfin everywhere. Loaded up, all about 10 lbs. Headed
home, after five miles stopped on paddy one small mako/released. Next 10 miles many
paddies, a few yf on each. Nice and sunny until 15 miles from SD, then cold and windy.
Great day. We were trying for BE but will have to try again another day.
ORCAS Affordable Marine Date:
Wed, 4 Oct 2000 18:02:37 -0700
Been so busy forgot to report sighting of Killer Whales south of the Coronados A week and
a half ago had a great unexpected tuna trip on a ¾ day cattlecar. Happened upon two
juvenile Killer Whales who we attacking (or playing with) a unlucky Mola. We need these
magnificent beasts to do their thing with the seal population. I remember reports 10 years
ago, of Killer whales making a huge dent in the seal population in the coronado Islands,
with the whales actually plucking seals off the rock outcroppings and beaches. Anymore
sighting of Shamu out there???
MARLIN - J.D.'s
Big Game Tackle Tuesday's Report
-Overcast skies with a slight southerly wind that dimpled the surface, mixed with a 1- 2
ft swell out of the west. Good glassing weather.
-Water tempatures dropped a couple of degrees off the backside of Catalina Island, large
floating kelps, housed thousands of small yellowtail under them. Probably the offspring
from those yellows that moved in here during the post El Nino years
-South of the 209Fathom Spot from 4 to 8 miles the fleet found the yellowfin, kelps,
breezing fish. Water temps on the 70 degree mark and nice conditions.
-Not much else for those traveling the waters today. From the oil rigs, Avalon Bank and
the secret 221 Fathom Spot (above the 14 Mile Bank), in that little triangle it had held
marlin over the last week, but nothing today and the signs weren't there. Other boats
traveled from the 209 to the 277, 152 , 6 off the Slide over to the Avalon Bank and again
to the 14 Mile Bank for very little. maybe it's just a down day, where have all the marlin
gone to?
-I went out this morning, caught a mackeral off the jetties and got out about 4 miles
before I put it back in , slow trolled it (rowed) down swell for a couple hours for no
bites. Water never really cleaned up blue, only a clean green with a few little kelps and
some dolphin passing through. Lots of shearwaters working themselves to the west and a few
pelicans in their V formations working to the south. I did see a Mola, Mola which I rowed
over to look at, it looked at me and I it. Pulled away but it followed me, I rowed faster,
it swam faster, I rowed real fast, it swam real fast following me. A really rowed fast, it
really swam fast after me, I had to veer to my left and right for 100 ft before I could
finally get rid of it, scary to be chased by a Mola Mola! The excitement for the day!
BIGEYE - Affordable Marine
Tue, 3 Oct 2000 12:36:47 -0700
Subject: Saturday Bigeye Hello Dennis and all you AMS Junkies, I was invited to join Jeff
Irwin and Mike Sloan on Jeff's boat, SIR REEL, Saturday afternoon out of Point Loma. The
plan was to get some fishing in and spend the night at the Islands, proceeding towards the
390 on Sunday. It didn't quite work out like we had planned! We headed towards the 302 for
our evening fishing en-route to the Coronados. Trolled around there a bit with no action,
except for a rousing game of dodge boat (Is it true that boating rules of the road don't
apply when dragging lures?). The sea was so calm and beautiful, we decided to head for the
390 and spend the night on the water. So off we go, trolling our lines. Jeff notices a
boat stopped about 5 miles south of the 302, and we go to investigate. It's the Cherokee
Geisha fishing a paddy. Boils and Jumping fish. OK! We're here. We flyline 6 YFT in 20
minutes during which time the Geisha departs for home. The sun dips below the horizon. I
grab my TLD w/ 30# P-line and cast a dine for one last attempt before heading out. 15
seconds later my line begins screaming out. 350 of 450 yards gone, Uh Oh! Jeff starts the
boat and we begin an Odyssey after this fish. After about 1.5 hours, I handed the pole to
Mike, in what became a game of "Musical Fisherman". Then Jeff had a turn and we
kept rotating, all enjoying the exhilaration of this monster fish. He was to color, no
less than 8 times before we finally had him gaffed. With two gaffs and a tail rope the
three of us managed to get him into the boat. He is huge!!! It is now 10:30 PM. About 4
hours. We weighed him at the San Diego Marlin Club the following day: 166.5 Pounds, 5'
8" long, Bigeye Tuna. What a magnificent fish!
Thank you Cherokee Geisha! It took longer to clean the fish than the boat! The Sashimi was great! We never made it to the 390. May all your plans be altered as ours were, "Calico Bill" Ferguson
YELLOWFIN - Southern
California Marlin On-line Jeff
Oct-03-00, 02:08 AM (PDT)
"Fishing Monday" We went out of Oside for a few YFT. Caught up with them 10
miles out heading toward the 209 & 181. Never made it that far as we starting getting
jig strikes. Nice day out on the water. Jeff "True
North"jacampora@yahoo.com
MARLIN - Southern
California Marlin On-line Neal
Shaver-OSPREY Oct-02-00, 09:00 AM (PDT)
"Marlin" Fished Saturday the 30th NW of the 14, 4 to 6 off the
riggs. Baited 12 sleepers up until about 2:00 pm. For some wild reason none of them would
bite. Had on sleeper ignite on our cast and hit the bait but the bait came off. Great
sleeper show. We were all alone all day. All fish were found in the gyros. Water Temp 69
to 70. We were at 33.28/118.08. Also saw 4 to 5 jumpers. Best of luck Neal Shaver (osprey)
nrshaver@home.com
YELLOWFIN - Southern
California Marlin On-line Bob Hoose Oct-02-00, 05:52 PM (PDT)
"HOT local yellowfin tip" - Gentlemen:....Yesterday, bringing a boat back from
San Diego we found spot after spot of breaking tuna - no bites. Trying everything, we
finally found a magical combination on finicky tuna.
Take 8' of #30 fluoro carbon leader, a long shank hook, and a 7strand Mini Feather (color didnt seem to matter). Dump 1/2 the spool of line out, WAY WAY back and run it off the bridge at 8 knots. Make a wide circle around the breaking fish and that combo was hanging em every pass. For distance back, I would drop it another 150' beyond the last trace of white water from the boat. We got spooled once with that much line out by a mystery fish, but then again you cant do much trolling #6-#12 line.
The canyon wall below the 312 was going off yesterday late afternoon. This area was 13-14 miles 110 degrees from the 209. Huge volumes of crashing tuna / terns up for about three hours. They climbed all over the marlin jigs, plugs, Mini Feathers. Filled a fish bag (8-12 lb. stuff) and left them biting. 41 miles 340 degrees to Newport.
ps. cleaned a tuna with a kelp leaf and bulb inside its stomach. Tight lines, Bob Hoose
MARLIN - J.D.'s
Big Game Tackle Mondays report.
-The story of a lost sailboat that came off anchorage while at White Landing,
Catalina Island and drifted all night ending up off the 152 by mid morning, looks like
it's abandoned.
-Again the tuna show up after the weekend crowd goes away, kelp patties off the Avalon
Bank area to the Slide were holding good numbers of Tuna this morning.
-The partyboats ran towards the 181 this morning and were limited out by midday.
MARLIN - Marty Morris
Marlin Club Report 10/1/00
KONA KAI ANGLERS "MAKE-A-WISH" TUNA CHALLENGE (Sept. 30-Oct.1): Tuna, especially
BigEye, numbers in local waters pushed the Marlin activity into the back-ground. BETs
popped up at all of the local high spots (302-371-425 and even close to North Island).
Fish hitting the 100(+) mark were not too uncommon. The over-all winner was a 20 ft skiff
with a man and woman with a double (118.7 and 107.8) on the BETS at 6:20 in the morning.
Black and purple marlin lures, of course.
The lady angler proved to be the over-all top angler with the 118.7 points worth of BigEye. GREG NY, fishing on ED WALDMAN's "Sunshine Too," finished 4th in the Small Boat division with 33.9 points (1/4 point per pound for a Marlin - see below).
In the Large Boat division 1st Place Team went to BOB WOODARD's "Christina Lynn" with four nice Albacore (and a 95 mile fuel bill). DAVE VERDUGO was the 1st Place Angler (in the Large Boat division) with his 31.8 Albie. BOB BOSSLER was 2nd with 31.7 points, Steve Belt 3rd with 27 points worth of longfin, and skipper BOB WOODARD 4th with 27.5 pounds/points. Final figures were not available at press time, but the "Make-A-Wish" Foundation came away with well over $20,000.
MARLIN -Rich Johnson
- Marie-B Date: 01 Oct 2000 Time: 06:43:58
September, 29, 2000 Lots of small tuna and a few big eye plus a 40 pound albacore at 28-25
sw of North Island. The next morning same area slow bite in the morning.
MARLIN - Southern
California Marlin On-line MarlinNut Sep-26-00, 01:51 PM (PDT)
"Delayed Report - Marlin / Swordfish" Left Thursday
afternoon (about 4 hours before the outage, naturally!) on big HOOKER to fish the King
Harbor Marlin Club annual marlin tournament. Made bait just outside of Angel's Gate and
picked up a mooring in Avalon. Friday morning headed to north end of San Clemente Island -
incredibly flat! Quite a difference from Victory at Sea the weekend before. Unfortunately,
the fish had amscrayed! The wind was out of the south, and I suspect it sent the fish
elsewhere. Since only one fish had been taken in our tournament, we were looking for
somewhere else to try. Then we heard WILD BILL fishing on the 277. Now, they wouldn't be
there unless they knew something, so we headed there at flank speed. About 5 miles SW of
the 277, we spotted a prime sized (~200 lb) swordfish lazing on the surface. Despite
repeated mackeral offerings, he just wasn't interested. Oh, for a squid popsicle! A few
minutes later, we repeated the performance on a pair of tailers, with a similar result.
While we didn't get the job done, it was clear that this was the spot. Several fish were
taken there on Saturday, and more on Sunday. I doubt these are the same fish that had been
off SCI - I'd expect to find them to the north. The Classic should smell 'em out!
MARLIN -
Finnseeker Chris 10/1/00 at 23:00:08BIGEYE - Allcoast
Sportfishing Airspeed 10-01-00, 11:44 AM (PDT)
"Sailboat Bigeye " - My first post since signing on to this board.
Saturday looked like it was going to be a better day for fishing than sailing, so I left
the slip solo at 5:30 and made my through that long line of boats at the bait barge. I
figured even travelling at 6 kts I would be fishing before some of those boats waiting for
bait. Headed out toward the Nine Mi. Bank and saw lots of bird activity but nothing else.
Headed south toward the Coronados and found a very active school of porpoise with birds
all over it. Thought this would be perfect conditions for that tuna I was targeting. But
no fish came up for me or the other boats who were also working the porpoise. I went west
for a few miles then back toward the south end of the Nine, found more( probably the same
porpoise)and trolled around them for a while until the port side reel screamed. 30 minutes
later I boated a 43.5 # Bigeye. It took a purple CD14 on 25# line. I figured that was all
the fish I needed for the day so headed home and was back in the slip at 2:30. That was
the only bite of the day. Beautiful day, no wind, flat water and a big fish! Had a great
wine and Sashimi for dinner!