Short version: Fished Catalina for 4 yellowtail to 17 pounds, the 3 Bs, and rockfish. Water temps 62 to 67, dines were working for those that had them. Best area was between the front side MPLAs. Skip to the pictures below.
Novel: My son Sean and I went fishing at Catalina on our boat the Mako My Day. We left Friday morning and picked up some bonito sized sardines from Nacho. The crossing was like glass, but most of the bait rolled anyway, and those that didn’t lost most of their scales. The backside from Church Rock to the Suicide Kelp was loaded with red crab in 64 degree water. We only had a few baits left so we started slow trolling the bo-hunks. The seals were dogging us and stealing baits right off the trap rigs, so we did some bottom fishing with frozen squid for some sheepshead and bass, which were all released.
We moved around front and Avalon was hosting the Bud-Light “Up for Whatever” party. I thought about getting a mooring, then came to my senses. We went to the Frog Rock area and put out the trollers again. We caught some bones and I got a 4 pound calico. Sean got a nice barracuda on a mega bait, again all fish released. Then my troller gets zinged hard. Whatever it was broke off the 25 pound flouro in a hurry, so I switch to a 40 pound rig. Right away I get zinged again and it just won’t stop taking line, so we start chasing it. Turns out to be a large sea lion, so I buttoned down the drag, gave ‘em a few extra hits, and broke him off. Final score for the day: Nature 2, jokers on the Mako My Day 0 (although I think the dog won’t be trying to steal bait for a while).
The next morning we are only able to jig up about a dozen large Spanish mackerel for bait. With all the kelp being gone, bait is really hard to catch right now, even in our best honey holes. We start up toward the Isthmus, and see 4 boats on the hook and watched from a respectful distance as a guy pulled in a nice yellow. Bravo. Since we have only a few baits, anchoring up and chumming is not an option, so we slow trolled outside in deeper water. I got zipped for 8 and 15 pound yellows. Finally we are on a roll! We chat it up with the other boats and everyone is having a good time, catching fish, and all smiles. Water temp was around 66 degrees.
About this time, here comes the Gail Force charging down the line, almost right in my trolling spread. He pulls up to within 40 feet of me and proceeds to talk smack over the PA about my boat, my fishing method, and has the gall to tell me to move my boat from his spot! We shout a few choice words and flip him the one finger salute and try to hold our line. He circles around once, and then bails, talking shit the whole time. I got breaking news for you buddy: YOU DON’T OWN THE OCEAN. And seeing how we were there for a long time before you got there, it’s not your spot. Fat boys on the Mako My Day 1, Captain Clown Shoes on the Gail Force 0.
After that, Sean gets another small yellow, which we release. We go over and talk to a few of the anchored boats, and they relay to us their own “run ins” with the Gail Force. I don’t know what that guy’s problem is, but he is in serious need of having his attitude adjusted.
Later that afternoon, we head back to the same spot and most of the boats are gone. We are down to 2 baits when we put out the trollers. This time, Sean gets a serious zing on 30 pound. It turns out to be a 17 pound yellow and he is totally stoked. We moor up at Cherry Cove for some relaxation and victory cocktails for me. In the morning, we tried to make more bait, but no go. So we hit our favorite rockfish spot for 2 nice reds and a chucklehead for tacos. Another glass ride back to the barn topped it off!
Sean with his 17 pound yellow (note the gaff shot right in the cheek!)
Mike with my 15 pound yellow:
Chirp Sonar reading of a sunken sailboat outside Emerald Bay. The structure detail is incredible. Check out the large fish marks to the right of the screen:
Novel: My son Sean and I went fishing at Catalina on our boat the Mako My Day. We left Friday morning and picked up some bonito sized sardines from Nacho. The crossing was like glass, but most of the bait rolled anyway, and those that didn’t lost most of their scales. The backside from Church Rock to the Suicide Kelp was loaded with red crab in 64 degree water. We only had a few baits left so we started slow trolling the bo-hunks. The seals were dogging us and stealing baits right off the trap rigs, so we did some bottom fishing with frozen squid for some sheepshead and bass, which were all released.
We moved around front and Avalon was hosting the Bud-Light “Up for Whatever” party. I thought about getting a mooring, then came to my senses. We went to the Frog Rock area and put out the trollers again. We caught some bones and I got a 4 pound calico. Sean got a nice barracuda on a mega bait, again all fish released. Then my troller gets zinged hard. Whatever it was broke off the 25 pound flouro in a hurry, so I switch to a 40 pound rig. Right away I get zinged again and it just won’t stop taking line, so we start chasing it. Turns out to be a large sea lion, so I buttoned down the drag, gave ‘em a few extra hits, and broke him off. Final score for the day: Nature 2, jokers on the Mako My Day 0 (although I think the dog won’t be trying to steal bait for a while).
The next morning we are only able to jig up about a dozen large Spanish mackerel for bait. With all the kelp being gone, bait is really hard to catch right now, even in our best honey holes. We start up toward the Isthmus, and see 4 boats on the hook and watched from a respectful distance as a guy pulled in a nice yellow. Bravo. Since we have only a few baits, anchoring up and chumming is not an option, so we slow trolled outside in deeper water. I got zipped for 8 and 15 pound yellows. Finally we are on a roll! We chat it up with the other boats and everyone is having a good time, catching fish, and all smiles. Water temp was around 66 degrees.
About this time, here comes the Gail Force charging down the line, almost right in my trolling spread. He pulls up to within 40 feet of me and proceeds to talk smack over the PA about my boat, my fishing method, and has the gall to tell me to move my boat from his spot! We shout a few choice words and flip him the one finger salute and try to hold our line. He circles around once, and then bails, talking shit the whole time. I got breaking news for you buddy: YOU DON’T OWN THE OCEAN. And seeing how we were there for a long time before you got there, it’s not your spot. Fat boys on the Mako My Day 1, Captain Clown Shoes on the Gail Force 0.
After that, Sean gets another small yellow, which we release. We go over and talk to a few of the anchored boats, and they relay to us their own “run ins” with the Gail Force. I don’t know what that guy’s problem is, but he is in serious need of having his attitude adjusted.
Later that afternoon, we head back to the same spot and most of the boats are gone. We are down to 2 baits when we put out the trollers. This time, Sean gets a serious zing on 30 pound. It turns out to be a 17 pound yellow and he is totally stoked. We moor up at Cherry Cove for some relaxation and victory cocktails for me. In the morning, we tried to make more bait, but no go. So we hit our favorite rockfish spot for 2 nice reds and a chucklehead for tacos. Another glass ride back to the barn topped it off!
Sean with his 17 pound yellow (note the gaff shot right in the cheek!)
Mike with my 15 pound yellow:
Chirp Sonar reading of a sunken sailboat outside Emerald Bay. The structure detail is incredible. Check out the large fish marks to the right of the screen:
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. Too funny! At least you did not confuse me with "Meat Loaf" Have a good one!
