FISHING / DAN STANTON : Little Travel, Big Results for Anglers

Tuna and skipjack have moved closer to shore and are within reach of area day boats.

Tuna have been found across a wide area from Catalina’s east end to San Clemente Island. The fish have also been caught 20 miles off the west end of Catalina Island.

The Los Angeles Harbor boat First String, which was making three-quarter day trips, not only had good catches of tuna and skipjack, but also returned with an albacore--the first caught this year aboard a South Bay sportfishing boat.

Angler Becky Conrad of Long Beach caught the albacore--her first--which weighed 18 pounds.

The jackpot winner was Long Beach fisherman Jim Mitchell with a 29-pound bluefin tuna.

Anglers catching five or more tuna that weighed as much as 20 pounds were Jack and Ann Morgan of Lawndale and Don Warren, Bill Steven and Bob Franklin of San Pedro.

The 22nd Street Landing boat Islander returned Monday from a tuna trip. Vincent Terzori of San Pedro caught the largest fish on the trip--a bluefin that weighed 23 pounds.

San Pedro fisherman Carl Smith caught the largest dorado, a 22-pounder.

The L.A. Harbor boat Shogun returned from a trip Saturday to waters surrounding San Clemente Island. Russ Lee of Inglewood won the jackpot with a 25-pound yellowfin tuna. Second place went to Torrance fisherman Randy Bathaven, who caught a 22-pound yellowfin.

Allen McFetridge of Venice, aboard the Spitfire in Santa Monica Bay, hooked up and was sure that a big bluefin had taken his bait.

McFetridge fought the fish for two hours before bringing it to the surface. It turned out to be a black seabass that was estimated to weigh more than 150 pounds. The fish, considered an endangered species, was released.

Paul Dutchen of Long Beach returned last weekend from a successful long-range trip aboard the Royal Polaris.

Dutchen won two jackpots on the 10-day trip.

He battled his first jackpot fish, a 66-pound yellowfin, for 25 minutes.

Dutchen won his second jackpot with a 63-pound yellowfin. He also caught numerous wahoo and dorado.

Rosie Cadman at the Avalon weigh station reported that the season’s total marlin catch has reached 67.

Most of the anglers who caught marlin last weekend landed the fish while trolling offshore from Avalon Bank to Osborne Bank.

Martin Snyder of Redondo Beach, aboard his boat Halioup, caught a 171-pound marlin.

Ron Baker and Rick Grovwald, aboard the Rumble Fish, landed a 140- and 139 1/2-pound marlin.

Mark Shea of San Pedro, aboard the Brandywine, caught a 121-pound marlin on light tackle. He also caught a 27-pound yellowfin.

The second annual Avalon Catalina Church Mouse Invitational Marlin Tournament was held Monday and Tuesday.

Bob Butte, organizer of the tournament, said 27 boats with 90 anglers participated in the tournament.

Eight marlin were caught. The first-place prize of $1,800 was won by Glen Flesher of Marina del Rey, who caught a 158-pounder aboard the Power Play. The second-place award of $1,200 was won by Vince West of Santa Monica, who caught a 155 1/2-pounder aboard the Norska.

The tournament donated $1,000 to Avalon Youth Programs.

Local update: Although catches of yellowtail have increased off Rocky Point, the fish have been averaging only 10 to 15 pounds.

The larger fish run have often run into the kelp and broken free from the light tackle most anglers have been using.

Island update: Boats that are not chasing tuna off the outer islands have found excellent fishing for bass, yellowtail and barracuda.

South Bay catches: Bill Hicks of Long Beach, paddy-hopping aboard the Shogun, caught the whopper of the week--a 37-pound bluefin.

Henry Church of Wilmington, aboard the Phil Donna at the Farnsworth Bank, caught a 31 1/2-pound yellowfin.

Becky Smith of Long Beach, paddy-hopping aboard the Toronado near San Clemente Island, caught a 29-pound yellowfin.

Richard Murdock of Mar Vista, aboard the Spitfire outside of Santa Monica Bay, caught a 20-pound halibut.

Bruce Root of San Pedro, aboard the Monte Carlo at Rocky Point, pulled a 22-pound yellowtail out of the kelp.