FISHING : Despite Rainy Conditions, Anglers Catching Limits of Calico Bass, Rock Cod

It was a successful weekend for calico bass and rock cod fishermen.

South Bay anglers on local and island trips were able to catch their 10-fish limit of calico bass. Other fish in plentiful supply included blue perch and a variety of rockfish.

Anglers aboard the L.A. Harbor Sportfishing boat Pacifica, which worked waters around San Nicholas Island, caught their limit of grouper and lingcod. The jackpot fish was caught by San Pedro fisherman Walter Veite, who used cut squid for bait and decked a 19 1/2-pound lingcod.

Captain Keith Brewer said water conditions were perfect. Even with light rain, Brewer said it was easy for the group of 22 anglers to bring up fish from depths of more than 600 feet.

Redondo Sportfishing’s rock cod boat Blackjack made a weekend run to Kidney Bank and 14 anglers were able to catch their limits of rock cod. Anglers also caught lingcod and cow cod.

The trip’s jackpot winner was Brian Green of Carson, who caught a 13-pound lingcod.

Locally, anglers aboard day boats are catching calico bass up to five pounds. Horseshoe Kelp remains the hot spot.

Anglers have also been catching rockfish in swallow water.

The winter halibut bite remains steady in the sandy reef areas of Santa Monica Bay.

The Redondo Sportfishing boat Sea Spray found a good halibut bite at twin towers off Marina del Rey. The jackpot fish was caught by John Arosco of West Los Angeles, who decked a 24-pound halibut.

The yellowtail bite at Cortez Bank slowed down, but anglers aboard the Outerlimits were able to catch their limit of rockfish.

Torrance Rod and Reel Club members returned from a recent trip to Cortez Bank, where they caught good-sized yellowtail and a variety of rockfish.

John Larson caught the largest yellowtail, a 35-pounder. Gary O’Leary caught a 31-pounder and Ed Grimes a 24-pounder. Fred Carlson also caught a 22-pound yellowtail. The largest bonito caught was 11 pounds.

Ray Hawkes caught four yellowtail and each weighed more than 20 pounds.

South Bay anglers returned from fishing Mexican waters with a variety of good catches.

Chris Yamada of Manhattan Beach, who was on a 10-day trip aboard the Royal Star, caught a 95-pound 6-ounce yellowfin tuna at Alijos Rocks. Yamada won the jackpot.

Arnie Serang of Long Beach, fishing at Alijos Rocks on an eight-day trip aboard the Royal Polaris, caught 20 dorado that weighed up to 40 pounds.

Serang also landed a small bluefin tuna that he released.

San Pedro fisherman Frank Hall returned from a four-day trip off Santa Rosalia and found excellent fishing. Hall said the highlight of the trip was when he hooked a giant squid, only to lose it after a 20-minute fight when it snapped his line.

South Bay Catches: Dave Warner of Long Beach, aboard the Reflection at Cortez Bank, caught the whopper of the week--a 35-pound yellowtail.

Dave Wang of West Los Angeles, aboard the Happyman off Santa Monica Bay, caught a 26-pound halibut.

Steve Miller of Long Beach, aboard the Shogun off San Clemente Island, caught a 27-pound halibut.

John Larson of Torrance, aboard the Condor at Shallow Rock, caught a 21-pound lingcod.

Ron Aoto of Lomita, aboard the Sea Hawk at Rock Pile, caught a 19-pound lingcod.