FISHING / DAN STANTON : His Net Result Was Victory in Halibut Derby
The annual Santa Monica Halibut Derby went off without a hitch last weekend.
The 1,300 anglers who participated in the charity event found excellent conditions and a plentiful supply of bait.
Jay Underwood of North Hollywood won the derby with a 33-pound 6-ounce halibut.
Underwood said he was fishing from the boat Smelly Jelly in 55 feet of water outside of King Harbor when he hooked his fish.
He was using two anchovies for bait when the fish struck, and shortly after the battle started, he discovered the fish had peeled his line.
After battling for 20 minutes, he was able to bring the fish to the surface. Only then did he discover that his net was too small. Underwood eventually scooped the fish into the boat by using half the net.
For his catch, Underwood will receive an expense-paid fishing trip to Alaska.
Second place went to Scott McLain of Redondo Beach, who caught a 24-pound 8-ounce halibut.
Scott Smith of Venice, who caught a 23-pound 6-ounce halibut, was third.
The two-man team event was won by Redondo fishermen Duane McCutcheon and Tony Allev. They caught five halibut that totaled 61 pounds.
All winners awards will be honored Friday at a banquet at the Airport Marina Hotel, 8601 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles.
Local update: White seabass were difficult to catch after the heavy rains, but fishermen on recent trips have been returning with big fish.
Paul Boesche of Redondo Sport Fishing reports that his two half-day boats, the Redondo Special and the City of Redondo, got a piece of the action on afternoon trips Sunday and Monday near Rocky Point.
Boesche said because the seabass were breaking tackle, only five were caught.
Joel Ramirez of Carson caught a 48 1/2-pound seabass; Mike Gross of Redondo Beach landed a 46-pounder; Sandy Murray of Redondo Beach reeled in a 41-pounder, and Ed Nevarez of San Pedro caught a 35 1/2-pounder.
The popular Isle of Redondo barge will reopen for the summer season starting Friday.
The barge is anchored in a new location this year. It is at a sunken hulk that attracts a variety of bottom fish.
During the summer, anglers should be able to catch plenty of bonito and barracuda off the barge.
Cabrillo Museum in San Pedro is already planning to resume its observation trips when grunion season reopens in June.
The season is closed in April and May to give the fish an opportunity to spawn undisturbed.
Grunion spawning runs are expected to continue until Aug. 18. Information: (310) 548-7562.
Area catches: John Palmino of San Pedro, aboard the Sea Spray outside of Rocky Point, caught the whopper of the week--an 82-pound thrasher shark.
Pat Conklin of Redondo Beach, aboard the First String off Catalina Island, used a sardine to catch a 36-pound white seabass.
Hubbard Ott of Long Beach, aboard the Aztec off Santa Barbara Island, caught a 25-pound sheephead.
