FISHING NOTES : Anglers Make Charities Big Winners in a Pair of Derbies
It was a huge turnout for the Santa Monica Halibut Derby last weekend.
Almost 2,000 anglers participated in the annual two-day charity event with 60 legal halibut weighed in.
Once again this year, Big Berthas (a $25,000 tagged fish) eluded the bait and jigs. Tim Crissman from Newhall, fishing off Torrance Beach from his boat the Mad-Gaffer, was grand-prize winner with the 31-pound 2-ounce halibut he caught Saturday.
Crissman said he knew when he set the hook it had to be a big fish. It started taking line immediately, and after it came aboard he was sure of first place.
Crissman has a choice of trips to fish in Alaska or Mexico.
Other winners of prizes and cash awards were William Northington of Redondo Beach, landing his 20-pound 4-ounce halibut at the Pipeline; Robbie Henderson of Redondo Beach, fishing at the El Segundo Stacks where he used dead anchovies and decked a 20-pound 3-ounce halibut, and Scott Herman of Torrance, who was drifting off Torrance Beach when he landed an 18-pound 7-ounce halibut.
The team event winners were Redondo Beach anglers Jerry Foot and William Northington for catching four fish each.
Anglers turned in 25 fish with research tags attached and will receive $5 from the Department of Fish and Game.
A ton of fish were caught in the fourth annual feed for homeless rock cod derby.
As the First String returned to San Pedro, with 50 anglers who fished San Nicholas Island, charity organizer Tony Salas said angling success stories were too numerous to mention.
All were expert rock cod fishermen. Their entire catch will go to feed the needy.
Bill Benn and John Moore of the Los Angeles Life Food Recovery Program said this catch should feed 2,300 needy persons.
The jackpot and prize winners included Torrance angler Jack Komda for limiting out first and second place for Jay Grossflam of Carson. John Glover won a sheephead jackpot with his 15-pounder.
South Bay catches: Tei Taimi of Long Beach, fishing at Catalina aboard the Toronado caught the whopper of the week after a 15-minute fight brought to gaff a 42-pound white sea bass.
Tim Cook of Torrance fishing at Catalina aboard the Grande won the jackpot with a 32-pound white sea bass.
Jim Mellin of San Pedro fishing at Catalina aboard the Freedom caught a 22-pound white sea bass.
Paul Byers of Inglewood fishing at Catalina aboard the Diawa won the jackpot with a 20 1/2-pound white sea bass.
James Lasang fishing at the cherry bank aboard the Aztec caught a 20-pound cow cod.
Fish reports: The spring halibut run in local waters continues with herring the choice bait.
Catalina is the hot spot for white sea bass and yellowtail under the kelp patties.
At Marina del Rey Sportfishing: The Spitfire targeted the halibut bite and anglers caught 11. The Happyman on a half-day trip returned with 30 sculpin and eight halibut.
At Redondo Sportfishing: The Seaspray fished out from Rocky Point’s shallow rocks and anglers sacked 195 rock cod and one lingcod.
The Blackjack worked Cherry Bank for 435 rock cod and 21 cow cod.
The Barge Isle of Redondo had a “mac attack” Sunday with 310 mackerel plus 125 rock fish and two halibut.
At 22nd St. Landing: The Freedom fished Catalina with success. Anglers caught 203 calico bass, 156 whitefish and one halibut.
The Grande Catalina trip resulted in a catch of 100 whitefish, 35 calico bass and three white sea bass.
At L.A. Harbor Sportfishing: The Outerlimits fished San Clemente Island and chalked up 88 calico bass, 16 yellowtail and 12 sheephead.
The Shogun fished San Clemente Island and had a variety catch of 130 sheephead, 100 whitefish, 76 sculpin and 26 calico bass.
At Long Beach Sportfishing: The Victory rock cod trip to Rocky Point resulted in a catch of 241 rock cod and 21 whitefish.
The El Dorado worked the cherry bank and anglers sacked 80 rock cod, 25 whitefish and one lingcod.
