OUTDOOR NOTES : Fleet Needs Upswing in Mexican Fishing

It has been a worrisome season for operators of San Diego’s huge sportfishing fleet, first battling Mexican regulations that threatened its activities and now tackling a more common adversary--the fish themselves.

“It has been tough,” said Bob Fletcher, Sportfishing Assn. of California president, referring to an absence of the exotic species the fleet relies on each summer. “They have had some decent fishing for barracuda and bonito and a few yellowtail, but not enough to get people excited.”

That could be changing as yellowtail started feeding Tuesday at the Coronado Islands, and tuna have been sighted offshore--the first of the season being landed Monday aboard the Cherokee Geisha out of H&M; Landing.

Bill Stevens, who has been making exploratory runs once a week for the past six weeks, said he watched two schools of tuna breaking the surface 85 miles south of Point Loma, within range of the overnight fleet. A double jig-strike on the troll resulted in the landing of a 22-pound yellowfin tuna.

“It’s a good indicator that maybe there’s stuff moving up the coast,” said Stevens, adding that he will depart for another try late tonight. “You couldn’t ask for better conditions down there. We got 64-degree water, clean and blue.”

Meanwhile, by early Tuesday, several boats had reported up to 30 yellowtail, in the 12- to 15-pound class, on deck, according to Fletcher. “It’s the first really decent amount of fish that they’ve seen that wanted to bite,” he said.

Also making a late showing in Southland waters--or at least on the fish-count boards--are striped marlin, the first of which is usually caught in early July.

The first this year was reportedly caught last Thursday by Orange County residents Jim Payne and Rob Meinhardt, who were fishing for sharks at the time.

Dave Denholm, one of the most respected big game fishermen on the West Coast, tagged and released the first of the season Saturday at the Avalon Bank. Denholm took similar honors last season.

Briefly

BAJA FISHING--Cabo San Lucas anglers are experiencing “good fishing, good weather and excellent water conditions,” according to Larry Edwards, spokesman for the Gaviota fleet. Largest fish: a 702-pound blue marlin taken aboard the Juanita V near outer Gordo Bank. More blues are showing in the area to complement a fair number of striped marlin, sailfish, dorado and yellowfin tuna to 100 pounds. Edwards, of Cortez Yacht Charters in Lemon Grove, said air temperatures are averaging 100 degrees during the day and near 70 at night, the water is calm and the bait situation “excellent.”

East Cape: Marlin, yellowfin tuna, dorado, roosterfish and wahoo are among the species being taken at the East Cape region of Baja, according to Bob Van Wormer of Hotel Punta Colorada. Michael Schwelt returned from an Eclipse-fishing trip to Palmas de Cortez and said both were worthwhile. Catch: 13 dorado in the 50-pound range, 10 tuna to 65 pounds, a few marlin and a 90-pound sailfish.

Loreto: Dorado fishing is growing steadier each week, with fish averaging 20 to 40 pounds, biting mainly near sargasso paddies. Some yellowfin hitting the scales, but the bite is sporadic. Gordon Prentice of Baja Fishing Adventures reports good weather during day, with a slight breeze in the afternoon.

San Diego medium-range boats have thus far had little or no luck finding tuna off the Baja coast, reverting to coastal or island shores for calico bass and rockfish. Two boats returned to Point Loma Sportfishing Sunday with four bluefin tuna to go with fair catches of yellowtail and limits of bass. The offshore watch continues for the exotic fish that generally invade northern Baja waters during the summer.

SALTWATER--Eagle Claw Saltwater Fishing Schools will conduct a limited-load offshore-exploratory run on July 28 aboard the Prowler out of Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego. Yellowtail and tuna will be targeted. One-on-one instruction in offshore trolling, live bait and jig-casting will be included in the $160 cost, according to school director Ronnie Kovach. Information: (714) 840-6555.

FLY-FISHING--Utah’s Green River will be the subject of guide Larry Tullis’ audio-visual presentation at the Sierra Pacific Flyfishers’ meeting Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Odyssey Restaurant in Mission Hills. Information: (818) 785-7306. . . . Guide, author and naturalist Jeff Repine of Chile will show slides on the wild rainbow and brown trout of the Futaleufu region of Chile on July 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bob Marriott’s Fly Fishing Center in Fullerton. Details: (714) 525-1827.

HUNTING--Advanced reservations for waterfowl hunting on the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge will be required for opening weekend, yet to be determined by the California Fish and Game Commission. Applications will be accepted by mail Aug. 1-15, with 160 permits to be issued to those selected by drawing. Up to four hunters may apply as one party, but only one application is permitted. Permits are not required for hunters under 16, but juniors must accompany an adult. Standard postcards with name and address for each person should be sent to Refuge Manager, Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 1610, Alturas, Calif. 96101. Hunters who apply for the Modoc hunt may not apply for opening weekend at Tule Lake or Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.

The Department of Fish and Game is accepting postcard applications for the Aug. 19 and Sept. 16 deadlines for hunts in Lassen and Inyo-Mono counties, respectively, although final upland game bird regulations have not been adopted. Up to four hunters may apply on a postcard with names and return addresses of each hunter and the name of the area preferred. Cards should be sent to DFG License and Revenue Branch, 3211 S St., Sacramento, 95816. Four sage grouse hunts are under consideration: a 200- to 375-permit hunt in East Lassen County and a 50- to 125-permit hunt in the Central Lassen area Sept. 7-8, and a 300-permit hunt in the North Mono area and a 250-permit hunt in the Mono-Inyo area Oct. 5-6. Successful applicants will be notified by mail.