FISHING : Action Remains Steady Despite Recent Storms

A shortage of quality bait because of recent storms failed to slow action for bass, rock cod and sheephead.

Redondo Sportfishing’s Sea Spray found the bonito eager to bite last weekend. At Rocky Point, anglers used cut squid and jigs to catch three-to-four-pound bonito.

The half-day boats joined in the weekend action and the total count, including Tuesday morning’s half-day boat, reached more than 500 bonito.

A lump-tail sea robin was discovered in Redondo Sportfishing’s live bait well last week and the unusual species of fish was sent to Cabrillo Marine Museum in San Pedro.

The sea robin creeps along the bottom of the ocean to depths of 360 feet, picking, probing and overturning objects in search of food.

When threatened it will unfurl and spread its colorful, wing-like pectoral fins in an impressive display designed to scare off predators.

The sea robin is purplish-brown and ranges from the Columbia River to parts of the Gulf of California and as far south as Chile.

Larry Fukuhara, the museum’s biologist, said the healthy specimen is active and on display.

The Long Beach Rod and Gun Club announced the 1990 awards to members who set new club records:

* Chris von Petersdorff, for an 80-pound bluefin tuna.

* Tom Raymond, a 60-pound amberjack.

* Mike Lannes, an 11-pound, 9-ounce calico bass.

* Bob Avery, 20-pound skipjack.

Over the weekend two whales--a mother and calf--ventured inside L.A. Harbor close to the federal prison.

Bob Castle, captain of the Lani Kai, was on a harbor tour and treated his passengers to an unexpected show of whale watching.

Castle called the Coast Guard and whale watch boats and the mother and calf were turned around and headed safely out of the harbor.

South Bay Catches: Russell Amuro of Gardena, fishing off San Clemente Island aboard the Shogun, used a squid to catch the whopper of the week, a 23-pound sheephead.

Corrie Zam of West Los Angeles, fishing off Catalina Island aboard the Topgun, caught a 15-pound sheephead.

Ron Guy of Santa Monica, fishing aboard the Del Mar, caught a 15-pound lingcod.

Sidney Schwartz of El Segundo, fishing aboard the Hitless Miss, caught a 14 1/2-pound halibut.

Raul Saldana of Santa Monica, fishing aboard the Aquarius, caught a 14-pound halibut.

Freshwater Notes: John Gobert of Carson fished Santa Ana Lakes and caught a 7 1/2-pound rainbow trout.