Fishing Notebook : They’re Biting Everywhere, and It’s Time to Fill Freezers

Winter fishing is in full swing. Fishermen can fill their freezers. This past week, quality catches of white sea bass, bonito, yellowtail, halibut and rock cod have sparked fishing for South Bay anglers.

South Bay Catches: Laurie Haywashi of Mar Vista, fishing in Santa Monica Bay on the boat Del Mar, hooked a white sea bass, battled it for 25 minutes and was rewarded with the whopper of the week--44 pounds.

Kevin Phife of West Los Angeles, fishing aboard the Xplorer at Catalina Island, won the jackpot with a 26-pound yellowtail. The fish ran into the kelp but Phife moved it out and after a 15-minute battle brought it to gaff.

Allen Ceeny of Torrance, fishing at Santa Barbara Island on the Blackjack, caught a stray yellowtail while fishing for calico bass. His jackpot fish weighed 25 pounds.

Edward Shebon of Long Beach, fishing on the Victory, had a limit of bonito. He went to the bottom and came up with the jackpot, a 12-pound sheepshead.

Fish Report: Due to bad water, squid have been scarce but all boats have a good supply of anchovy.

At Redondo Sportfishing, Rocky Point continues to produce big bonito and bass. The City of Redondo on its morning run Tuesday with 24 anglers, caught 175 bonito and 35 calico bass.

The Blackjack, fishing Catalina, had 100 bonito, 6 calico bass plus 8 sheepshead to 10 pounds.

The Sharpshooter, on a three-quarter-day run, limited out on bonito plus 24 calico bass. Several yellowtail were hooked but broke tackle.

At L. A. Harbor Sportfishing, the Xplorer, fishing the Marineland area, chalked up 100 bonito, 35 sand bass, 20 calico bass, 40 whitefish and 5 sheepshead.

The Shogun fished Catalina with 12 anglers and got 110 calico bass, 12 sheepshead and 12 blue perch.

At Long Beach Sportfishing, the Victory, fishing in the area of the horseshoe, got 196 bonito going to 9 pounds, 21 sand bass, 120 calico bass and 11 sheepshead.

The Sea Spray on the half-day run had a limit of bonito, 23 sculpin and 15 whitefish. Yellowtail showed in good numbers but refused the bait and jigs.

Fresh Water Notes: With continued weekly trout stocking, big trout continue to be caught at Irvine Lake.

Brothers Jeff, Verne and Vince Martin of Long Beach went home with five fish that totaled 38 pounds, 12 ounces.