Whale Watchers Get Binoculars and Cameras Ready

It’s whale watching time.

Get your cameras out, take along your binoculars. The annual Pacific gray whale journey from the Arctic to Baja California has started.

South Bay whale watchers have a good vantage point while the whales pass close to the bay off Palos Verdes.

Starting Monday, the Redondo Sportfishing and San Pedro landings will have double deck boats operating two trips daily.

Cabrillo Marine Museum will start its 17th year of whale watching trips that include trained narrators aboard.

The whales have been protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1969. A watch program has been formed by volunteers of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation so that anyone who sees a whale that has been injured or beached can call 1-800-367-8222.

The second rock cod trip to feed the homeless returned over the weekend with close to a ton of fish for the L.A. Rescue Mission.

Tony Salas, the trip’s charter master, was told by the mission that the catch will feed 8,000 homeless and hungry people.

The mission will also distribute fish to other charity organizations to feed the needy.

Among award winners: Heaviest bag of fish won Bob Holrow of West Los Angeles a custom rod and reel; jackpot winner Dave Dimwiddie of West Los Angeles won a custom rod and reel; team award for heaviest fish went to Paul Friedman of Torrance, the voice of 976-TUNA, who won fishing gear; second team award for heaviest bag went to John Yen of Santa Monica, who also won fishing gear.

South Bay Catches:

On shore leave from the Navy, Stephen Grossberg of Marina del Rey went fishing for rock cod aboard the Betty O and caught the whopper of the week when he brought up a 32-pound halibut.

Using 12-pound test line and live squid, Curt Wenzel of Torrance won the jackpot aboard the Redondo Special with his 29-pound halibut.

John Darco of San Pedro, fishing aboard the Outerlimits at San Clemente Island, brought to gaff a 20-pound yellowtail using live squid and light tackle.

Fish Reports:

Despite several days of showers the ocean has remained calm. Anglers continue to catch a variety of fish, both locally and at the islands.

The Santa Monica Bay halibut bite has been consistent.

Calico bass and rock cod have been providing the bulk of winter catches.

At Marina del Rey Sportfishing: The Del Mar fished the bay and returned with 80 sand bass, 25 sculpin and 16 halibut. Two black sea bass were caught and released.

The Betty O fishing shallow rocks near twin roads chalked up 150 rock cod.

At Redondo Sportfishing: The Sharpshooter fishing Torrance Beach chalked up 70 sculpin, 52 sand bass, 12 halibut and 3 bonito.

Redondo Special anglers on a morning half-day run to twin roads sacked 22 sand bass, 20 sculpin and 7 halibut.

The Blackjack fishing Santa Barbara Island returned with 196 rock cod and 7 lingcod.

At 22nd Street Landing: The Deluxe fished San Nicholas Island and anglers chalked up 316 rock cod, 7 sheepshead, 5 cabazone, 4 calico bass, 4 sculpin and 1 lingcod.

At L.A. Harbor Sportfishing: The Matt Walsh on two half-day trips fishing White’s Point caught 61 sand bass, 7 sculpin and 2 sole, with 1 black sea bass caught and released.

The Outerlimits fished San Clemente Island and anglers scored with 54 calico bass and 35 rockfish.

The Annie B barge had a weekend total of 650 mackerel, 276 kingfish, 222 queenfish and 5 sand bass.