FISHING / DAN STANTON : Anglers Catching Limits of Bass

It appears the summer migration of sand bass has arrived a month ahead of schedule.

The spawning bass have been easy prey for the South Bay Sportfishing fleet that departs daily at 6 p.m. Anglers have also been catching calico bass.

Last weekend, the Long Beach Sportfishing twilight boat Southern Cal returned from trips with 100 or more sand and calico bass. Southern Cal Captain Myron Ackerman said the early success of bass anglers is a sign of a good season.

Six Long Beach anglers on the Southern Cal returned with limits of sand and calico bass. They were Paul Macharr, Eric Savage, Cliff Hara, Ryan Smith and Ralph Sobran, who also caught a nine-pound bonito.

Local update--The barracuda appeared to have moved from Horseshoe Kelp.

The South Bay fleet found schools of the fish from Santa Catalina Island to Point Dume.

Redondo Sport Fishing, 22nd Street Landing, Los Angeles Harbor and Long Beach day boats returned early with limits of barracuda and several good-size bonito.

Redondo fisherman Bryan Krusi caught a 10 1/2-pound bonito.

The third annual Descanso Beach halibut derby on Sunday was a success as 54 anglers entered the charity event.

Bob Lee, aboard the Vionna, caught a 13 3/4-pound halibut to win the first-place prize of $600. Kelley Whitaker, who caught a nine-pound halibut, finished second and won $350. Third place went to Buddy Jibway with an 8 3/4-pound halibut. He won $200.

According to derby chairman Steve Bray, $2,300 was raised for the Catalina summer youth programs.

The King Harbor Marlin Club held its annual surf derby last weekend and 19 anglers entered.

The first-day winner was Mike Aichen, who caught a 2-pound 2-ounce corbina. The second-day winner was Mike Wicen, who caught a 4-pound 2-ounce corbina on four-pound test line.

Gardena fisherman Dave Urmoto returned from a 17-day trip to Clarion Island in Mexico aboard the Royal Polaris with two big yellowfin tuna.

Urmoto won a jackpot with a 320-pounder and also caught a 309-pounder.

South Bay catches: Anthony Vega of Long Beach, aboard the Aztec off Catalina, used an anchovy for bait to catch the whopper of the week, a 33-pound halibut.

Sei Dyo of Carson, aboard the First String off Catalina, caught a 30-pound yellowtail.

Toshi Mayeda of Gardena, aboard the Vagabond off San Benitos Island, caught a 26-pound yellowfin tuna.

Gume Baze of Westchester, aboard the Condor off San Miguel Island, caught a 26-pound halibut.

Steve Tanaka of Gardena, aboard the New Hustler off Catalina, caught a 22-pound white seabass.