FISHING NOTES : Anglers Will Find Action Heating Up

There will be plenty of deep-sea action over the Memorial Day weekend as anglers choose the species they would like to try for.

The outlook is for an abundance of fish to be caught.

At Rocky Point, party boats and private boats will find the three Bs: bass, bonito and barracuda. The Horseshoe has been yielding some good-size calico bass. Barracuda are among the missing at Horseshoe because of fluctuating water temperatures.

Catalina Island fishing remains excellent with barracuda and white sea bass at the west end of the island.

Yellowtail weighing more than 20 pounds have been caught from the kelp patties. Anglers are using live squid for bait with light line, but have lost some good-size yellows. It takes up to 30-pound tests to hold the big ones that head back into the kelp after being hooked.

Earl Vanal of Santa Monica, fishing aboard the Sumo in Santa Monica Bay, was sure he hooked a yellowtail. He reeled and followed his fish from bow to stern for 15 minutes, but when it came close to the surface it was a big bonito, probably the largest caught this spring at 12 pounds.

Kelp pattie hopping: Aboard the boat Instinct 30 miles from Point Loma, five South Bay fishermen had full limits of yellowtail, although the size of the fish averaged only 10-16 pounds.

Leon Campazzie of Torrance landed a 16-pounder, Bob Gifford of Torrance a 15-pounder and Paul Friedman of Hermosa Beach a 15-pounder. Phil Friedman, the voice of 976-TUNA, had a 15-pounder and Martin Thompson of Manhattan Beach had a 12-pounder.

Stan and Celinda Woodward of King Harbor Marlin Club returned last week from Cabo San Lucas. Stan weighed in a 372-pound black marlin while Celinda brought aboard a 105-pound sailfish.