FISHING : Anglers Optimistic About Chances for Fall Run

Ocean sportfishing changes with the seasons, and the transition from summer to fall fishing has started.

Over the past several days, squid have been found at rocky point and off San Clemente Island, adding to optimism for a fall run.

Consequently, substantial numbers of white seabass are being caught at rocky point and yellowtail are being hooked off San Clemente.

The L.A. Harbor Sportfishing boat Outerlimits had a successful outing last weekend. Anglers caught 82 yellowtail and limits of calico bass. On Monday the bite slowed, as only 16 yellowtail were caught.

The trip’s jackpot winner was Mitchell Pendelton, who caught a 25-pound yellowtail.

Mike Wiley caught eight yellowtail and missed the jackpot by ounces.

Anglers with seven yellowtail each were Norm Levy, Bill Lyons, Bob Pesquere, Bill Brooks and Eric Landersfield.

Redondo Sportfishing’s Sea Spray worked rocky point with squid for bait and anglers caught 19 legal white seabass.

The landing’s overnight boat, the Blackjack, worked waters off San Clemente Island on Monday and returned with 29 white seabass.

L.A. Harbor’s First String returned early Tuesday from a two-day trip to Cortez Bank in search of tuna.

Tuna continue to chase the bait and jigs and several of the 34 anglers aboard had hookups, although none were able to bring a fish to deck.

Captain Pat Conklin said conditions remain good, with plenty of bait in the area. He expects a strong run soon.

The trip’s jackpot winner was Lloyd McDaniels of Long Beach. He caught three yellowtail, the largest weighing 18 pounds.

All the anglers caught limits of rockfish and bonito, which averaged eight pounds.

Ray Province of L.A. Harbor said the First String will continue to schedule two-day trips to Cortez Bank during October.

L.A. Harbor Sportfishing’s Shogun returned from a five-day trip in search of tuna. The boat ventured 150 miles out and anglers returned with 127 bluefin tuna and 54 yellowtail, plus dorado and yellowfin tuna.

South Bay anglers with jackpot fish were Kirk Prouse with a 52-pound bluefin; Stephen Navin with a 50-pound bluefin and Hugh Mitchell with a 46-pound, 5-ounce bluefin.

Rosie Cadman at the Avalon weigh station said only one marlin was brought to the scale last week. It was caught by Palos Verdes fisherman Joe Holly, who was working the 181 spot from his boat True Brit.

Cadman said this brings the season’s total to 51.

Bob Green of Wilmington returned Monday from a four-day trip to Billings, Ore. Green, fishing aboard the Don C, caught a 22-pound salmon and a limit of good-size rockfish including a 12-pound yellow eye rockfish.

Local fishing on half-day boats has been excellent for calico bass and sculpin.

All the South Bay half-day boats during the fall and winter months will make a daily trip and two trips on Saturday and Sunday. Check for departure times at the landing from which you plan to fish.

South Bay Catches: Robert Hebert of San Pedro, aboard the Diawa off San Clemente Island, caught the whopper of the week, a 35-pound yellowtail.

Jack Hurst of West Los Angeles, fishing at rocky point aboard the Sea Spray, caught a 29-pound white seabass.

Dick Acker of Redondo Beach, aboard the Aztec at Tanner Bank, caught a 20-pound cow cod.

Dick French of Long Beach, aboard the Victory at rocky point, caught a 16-pound white seabass.