Fishing Notebook / Dan Stanton : White Sea Bass Striking in Big Numbers; Early Run Seen

Good weather and calm seas are producing prospects for an early spring run of white sea bass.

Live squid for bait was a factor in last weekend’s near-record catches.

Tackle-busting sea bass have shown up at the Deep Hole and anglers with heavy gear connected with big catches.

Six anglers aboard the Challenger brought to gaff six that weighed up to 58 1/2 pounds.

The bass catch continued on the Freedom, with five that weighed from 31 1/2 to 55 pounds.

Eleven that were hooked got away from fishermen with light gear whose lines parted.

South Bay fishermen should carry both light and heavy tackle to 40 pounds when going out to the Deep Hole area.

South Bay Catches: Gilbert Tarra of Lawndale, fishing aboard the Challenger, after a 15-minute battle brought the whopper of the week to gaff--a 58 1/2-pound white sea bass.

Corky Logan, fishing aboard the Freedom, shared whopper of the week honors when, after breaking off three sea bass, went to 40-pound test and landed a 55-pound white sea bass.

Carlos Bassa of Torrance, aboard the Redondo Special on the afternoon run to the Short Bank, brought up a 34 1/2-pound halibut using a live squid.

Bob Bruno of Lomita, fishing aboard the Shogun at San Nicholas Island, caught an 18-pound sheepshead.

Jeff Sheftel, fishing at the flats aboard the Spitfire, caught a 17-pound halibut.