Outdoor Notes : Early Trip to Mexican Islands Yields 288 Yellowfin Tuna

At this time of year, long-range fishermen usually are preparing to go south in search of giant yellowfin tuna, but those who fished aboard the Royal Polaris last week jumped the gun.

The 113-foot sportfisher, which makes an early trip to Mexico’s Revillagigedo Islands every year, is scheduled to return to San Diego today, its fish holds filled with 288 yellowfin tuna, 61 wahoo, 126 grouper, 56 cabrilla, scattered catches of rainbow runner and amberjack, and 2 black marlin.

The fish were caught--mostly at Clarion Island and Roca Partida--by 23 passengers, many of whom flew home after being dropped off 600 miles north at Cabo San Lucas.

Because of poor weather and rough seas associated with the area’s hurricane season, such 16-day trips generally begin in late December or early January.

Ed Lee, who makes the early voyage every year, described his unseasonable trip from his San Pedro home:

“I was out fishing at about 3 a.m., and it was rainy and cooler than usual,” he said. “I was miserable, getting all wet. Then the rain stopped and I started reeling my bait in. When I almost had it to the boat I got bit. I had no idea of the size of the fish.”

After a 35-minute fight, Lee boated a 303 1/2-pound yellowfin tuna, one of two that surpassed the 300-pound mark. The other, a 313 1/2-pounder, was caught by San Diego’s Jack Webster.

Skipper Frank Lo Preste, one of those who flew back, said that although many large tuna were in the area, most of those caught were between 70 and 180 pounds, including a 160-pounder caught by his 10-year-old son Tony.

Other highlights of the trip included:

--Steve McGowen’s 400-pound black marlin. “Catching a black marlin from an anchored boat--that’s pretty good,” Lo Preste said.

--Dave Uradamo’s 6 1/2-hour battle with a 130-pound yellowfin tuna on 40-pound test line.

Turkey facts, from Gary West of the National Wild Turkey Foundation:

--As many as 10 million turkeys roamed the country when the settlers arrived. By the early 1900s, they were all but wiped out, because of habitat loss--caused mainly by timber harvests--and commercial hunting.

--In 1930, only 21 states had wild turkeys, total population of which was about 20,000. The latest estimate of wild turkeys stands at 3.8 million.

--Alaska is the only state without wild turkeys.

Six hunters were killed on the first day of Michigan’s deer season, equal to the number killed in the entire deer season last year, according to the state’s police reports.

The deaths included one man who fell out of a tree, and at least two who died of heart attacks. A spokesman said that only one hunter was shot to death, although nine injuries from accidental shootings were reported.

Last year, six people were killed during the 16-day season, and 30 people were accidentally shot.

Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources reported one deer-hunting related death. Joel Matthew Reiner, 23, was killed when a bullet fired by his companion reportedly ricocheted off a deer’s spine, hit Reiner in the hip and severed a main artery.

The department also reported that, for the second straight year, there were no reported waterfowl hunter drownings during the first part of the state’s duck hunting season, which recently ended.

“We’re extremely pleased,” said Tim Smalley, boating safety specialist for the department.

Two years ago, seven hunters drowned while hunting ducks from boats.

Briefly

Times Mirror Magazines, Inc. announced that it has acquired Salt Water Sportsman, the nation’s top marine sportfishing magazine with a monthly circulation of 134,000. Other outdoor publications owned by the company include Field and Stream, Outdoor Life and Yachting magazines. . . . The 41-pound 8-ounce yellowtail caught off Santa Catalina Island last June by Charles Beckhardt has been approved as a world record for 12-pound-test line.

Stephens’ kangaroo rat, which is known to inhabit western Riverside and northern San Diego counties, has been added to the federal endangered-species list. . . . Hunters 17 and younger will have the opportunity to participate in a junior pheasant hunt at Raahauge’s Pheasant Club in Norco Dec. 23. Interested persons should contact the DFG’s Long Beach office for details.