Angler Has Successful Trip to Baja

A recent long-range fishing trip to Baja was a dream come true for Marc Larson of San Pedro.

Larson, 22, started fishing with his father in the surf off Long Beach at 5 and has been hooked ever since. He spends all his free time fishing from barges, day boats and float tubes in the ocean.

Last month, Larson left for a nine-day trip aboard the 125-foot Royal Polairs. After traveling for two days, the first stop was Thetis bank.

Larson said yellowtail blanketed the water.

When word came over the speaker to cast the lines, Larson tossed a jig at the yellowtail and came up with a 50-pound fish on his first hook-up.

Each of the 33 anglers aboard the Royal Polairs caught a fish weighing more than 35 pounds.

After two days at Thetis bank, the boat headed to Cedrus where Larson said he caught some of the largest calico bass he had ever seen.

Although he failed to win any jackpots, he did manage to net his first dorado, which he brought home to have stuffed.

Royal Polairs’ total catch for the trip was 890 yellowtail, 300 calico bass and a few dorado and amberjack.

Now that Larson has fulfilled one of his childhood dreams, he has set a new goal--tuna fishing on a 15-day trip.

On Sunday, 15 boats from the King Harbor Marlin Club participated in an annual shark tournament.

Bob Stephens, fishing from his boat Exta Sea, took first-place honors with a 20-6 mako shark. Second place went to Don Haynes, who caught a 15-6 mako fishing from his boat the Fisherett.

Sonny Bennette of Marina del Rey, fishing aboard his boat Sand Crab at Venice reef, used pieces of crab and a halibut rig to catch four halibut weighing a total of 67 pounds.

South Bay Catches: Russell Nakamoto of Gardena, fishing aboard the Reel Special at rocky point, caught a 42 1/2-pound white sea bass, the whopper of the week.

Ken Helm of Lawndale, fishing aboard the Monte Carlo at horseshoe kelp, caught a 32-pound halibut. Bob Sumiyoshi of Gardena, also fishing aboard the Monte Carlo at horseshoe kelp, caught a 25-pound halibut.

John Kuljis of Long Beach, fishing aboard the Toronado off Catalina Island, caught an 18 1/2-pound white sea bass.

Abe Gross of Wilmington, fishing aboard the Matt Walsh at the rock pile, caught a 14-pound yellowtail.

Fish Reports: The sand bass continue to bite in all areas of sandy beaches. Catalina barracuda fishing remains steady, but yellowtail bites are slowing.

At Marina del Rey Sportfishing: The Spitfire fished the bay and returned with a catch of 320 sand bass, four halibut and a bonito.

The Betty O rock cod trip resulted in a catch of 290 rock cod, two lingcod and a cow cod.

The Sumo fished the Venice reef area and had a variety catch of 85 calico bass, 84 sand bass, 25 rockfish, six sculpin, six cabazon and a lingcod.

The Happyman, on a half-day trip, returned with 40 sand bass, 10 calico bass, six barracuda and two bonito.

At Redondo Sportfishing: The Seaspray worked the flats on a twilight trip and returned with 511 sand bass, 18 bonito, four barracuda and four halibut.

The City of Redondo, on a half-day trip, returned with 180 sand bass and two barracuda.

Anglers aboard the Barge Isle of Redondo caught 7,053 mackerel, 203 bonito, 66 rockfish, 59 barracuda and five sand bass.

At 22nd Street Landing: The Firststring, fishing off Catalina, caught 148 barracuda and 62 bonito.

The Monte Carlo half-day trip resulted in a catch of 132 sand bass and 62 bonito.

At L.A. Harbor Sportfishing: The Sportking fished the flats with success, returning with 203 sand bass, 15 barracuda and six sculpin.

The Matt Walsh, on a half-day trip to the rock pile, returned with 66 calico bass and 19 bonito.

Shogun anglers caught 142 barracuda, 33 bonito and four yellowtail off Catalina.

The Outerlimits fished off Catalina and netted 200 calico bass, 35 barracuda and a halibut.

The Annie B Barge had a variety catch of 820 kingfish, 711 jacksmelt, 435 mackerel and seven halibut.

At Long Beach Sportfishing: The Victory worked the rigs and caught 356 sand bass, 21 barracuda and two halibut.

The Southern Cal, on a twilight trip, returned with 195 sand bass and 33 calico bass.

The Aztec Catalina trip returned with 126 barracuda, 112 calico bass and 25 bonito.

The Toronado fished Catalina and anglers caught 65 barracuda, 53 bonito and a yellowtail.