FISHING : Barracuda Run Rewards Area Anglers

Anglers aboard South Bay sportfishing boats off Catalina Island last weekend were rewarded with some of the best barracuda fishing in years.

Boats were returning from trips two hours early because anglers had already caught their limits of barracuda and calico bass. The barracuda were averaging more than six pounds each.

San Pedro fisherman Charles Graham, who caught his 10-fish limit using light tackle, said it was the best barracuda fishing he has seen in years.

With little or no live squid for bait at Catalina Island, anglers have been using small sardines or anchovies to catch white seabass.

Captain Guy Ashley of the sportfishing boat Pacifica’s 21 said anglers were able to catch their limit of seabass last weekend, with most of the fish being caught before daylight. Several of the seabass weighed more than 25 pounds.

Schools of yellowtail have appeared late in the morning but continue to refuse bait and jigs.

Area fishermen aboard the Pacifica who caught a seabass included Bill Henniga of San Pedro, who caught a 27-pounder, Gary Taylor of San Pedro, Grant Wright of Santa Monica, and West Los Angeles fishermen Dave Warren, Michael Fahergy, and Chris Meadors.

Long Beach fishermen Bob Fowks caught a jackpot-winning seabass that weighed 23 1/2 pounds. Close contenders were Long Beach fishermen Tom Richards, Jerry Wackerman, Dwight Moore and Mike Martin.

Phil Macham of Wilmington was fishing for halibut aboard his boat Wave Hopper off the Point Fermin Palms area May 4 when he hooked a surprising catch.

Macham said he was using strips of mackerel attached to a jig and waiting for a strike when his line peeled out only a few yards and stopped with no pull.

He said he reeled in slowly for five minutes before he pulled up a large lobster estimated to weigh 10 pounds.

Because lobster season is closed, Macham released his catch.

White seabass were being caught off Rocky Point last week and several King Harbor Marlin Club members were able to catch good-size fish.

Wolfgang Nachel, aboard his boat Wolf-Es-Toy, caught a 35-pound white seabass. Fred Cas Stevens, aboard his boat Siesta, landed a 26 1/2-pound halibut.

A fishing seminar will be held this weekend aboard L.A. Harbor Sportfishing’s Top Gun.

The instructor will be Scott Fujinami, who has 26 years of sportfishing experience and has completed extensive research on techniques for fishing South Bay and Catalina waters.

There will be demonstrations on catching bass, yellowtail and seabass. A demonstration of casting with jigs and bait will also be performed.

The Cabrillo Museum will offer the public an opportunity to view marine life in its laboratory at 3 p.m. Saturday in San Pedro.

Participants will be able to view marine life under a microscope, handle tide pool creatures and witness other fascinating marine life.

The museum’s education staff will answer questions.

Information: (213) 548-7562.

South Bay catches: James Pani of Long Beach, aboard the Reel Special off Catalina, used a small sardine to catch the whopper of the week--a 33-pound white seabass.

Danny Grishan of Long Beach, also aboard the Reel Special, caught a 31-pound halibut.

John Mitsmori of West Los Angeles, aboard the Sportking off Catalina, caught a 25-pound white seabass.

Frank Gasperon of Rancho Palos Verdes, aboard the New Hustler off San Clemente Island, caught a 23-pound white seabass.

Rob Mancini of Marina del Rey, aboard the Spitfire which was drifting off the Twin Towers area, caught a 22-pound halibut.

Bill Powell of Long Beach, aboard the Victory at Horseshoe Kelp, caught a 17-pound yellowtail.