FISHING NOTES / Dan Stanton : Early Spawning Sand Bass Easy Prey for Anglers, Sundown Trips Planned

Migrating sand bass continue to invade the sandy beaches to spawn.

Unlike the migrating albacore that showed up in May and then disappeared, the sand bass--although a month ahead of their normal schedule to spawn--can be expected to remain for the summer.

With the early run of sand bass, all local sportfishing landings are scheduling sundown trips, as the bass bite is excellent at that time.

Anglers are reminded that sand bass might be wearing tags from gram. The tags should be turned in to the Department of Fish and Game with area caught and date for a $5 reward.

In conjunction with National Fishing Week, Saturday is a free fishing day.

The public can fish California waters without a fishing license. However, anglers are reminded all catch limits and size regulations apply.

The second grunion season starts Saturday. They are expected to hit South Bay beaches to spawn between 10:45 p.m. and 12:40 a.m. for a four-day run.

The run times and beaches change nightly.

Southland Catches: Joan Bartold of West Los Angeles, fishing aboard the Betty O out of Santa Monica Bay, caught the whopper of the week, a 35-pound halibut.

Janet and Bob Yamane, fishing off Catalina Island aboard the Mustang, caught 33- and 31-pound yellowtails. The West Los Angeles couple hooked their fish at the same time, with Janet catching the larger fish.

Nguyen Hon Ling of West Los Angeles, fishing on the Annie B barge, caught a 32-pound halibut.

Mark Arsencal of Hawthorne, fishing aboard the Sea Spray off Torrance Beach, won the jackpot with a 14-pound halibut.

Fish Reports

Local fishing is starting to improve as barracuda have moved into horseshoe kelp. Bonito fishing has slowed. At Catalina Island, bass and barracuda provide most of the action. White sea bass and yellowtail slowed the past several days.

Marina del Rey Sportfishing: The Spitfire fished Santa Monica Bay and anglers caught 220 sculpin and 50 sand bass.

The Happyman, on a half-day trip to Venice Beach, returned with 175 sculpin and 20 sand bass.

The Betty O rock cod special fished the rockpile and caught 160 rock cod, a lingcod and a halibut.

Redondo Sportfishing: The Sea Spray, fishing off Torrance Beach, found a wide-open barracuda bite. Anglers caught 100 barracuda, 38 sand bass a halibut.

The Redondo Special, on a half-day trip, returned with 567 sculpin and 84 sand bass.

The Blackjack worked Catalina for 63 calico bass, 31 blue perch, 23 sculpin, 17 sheephead, nine white sea bass and seven barracuda.

22nd Street Landing: The Monte Carlo, on a half-day trip to horseshoe kelp, returned with 165 barracuda and three bonito.

The First String fished the east end of Catalina and anglers caught 105 calico bass and 11 sheephead.

L.A. Harbor Sportfishing: The Sportking fished out from the rigs. Anglers caught 120 barracuda and 37 sand bass.

The Outerlimits’ Catalina trip resulted in a catch of 40 barracuda, 30 calico bass, 22 bonito and five halibut.