Fishermen Press Search for Albacore
The search for albacore in Southern California’s coastal waters intensified Monday, after the season’s first sport catches of the migrating tuna Friday and Saturday.
The American Angler, a long-range sportfishing boat based in San Diego, found scattered schools of albacore Friday and Saturday. With 14 fishermen aboard, the boat accounted for three fish Friday and four Saturday. They ranged from 10 to 15 pounds.
The fish were found about 190 miles west of San Diego. The American Angler was on a search trip. Commercial fishermen had earlier spotted albacore in the area.
Albacore have also been sighted about 200 miles off Morro Bay recently. One unconfirmed report Monday had one albacore being caught on a commercial boat 46 miles off Avila Bay.
Meanwhile, several Balboa Angling Club boats trolling for striped marlin 13 miles off the east end of Catalina Sunday were surprised to see a school of fast-moving yellowfin tuna. The yellowfins, in the 150-pound class, moved by quickly, breaking water. Several fishermen threw out some tuna lures, but there were no hookups.
National Marine Fisheries Service biologists reported Monday that Lady E, a commercial fishing search boat, was catching albacore in an area 240 miles west of Santa Cruz.
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