Coronado Yellowtail Spring Into Action

What San Diego skippers--and the sportfishing community in general--have been eagerly awaiting the past few weeks has finally happened: The cool green water at the Coronado Islands has warmed and turned blue, prompting the first significant yellowtail bite of the year.

Anglers aboard the Sea Watch and the Malihini were among the first to get the fickle fish to bite, picking up 21 and 19, respectively, on Monday.

And the bite didn’t let up Tuesday. Point Loma Sportfishing’s Predator, with 17 anglers aboard, picked up 26 fish to 20 pounds, and the Malihini got another 20.

“It’s a great bite,” said Shirley Hewkin, a spokeswoman at Point Loma. Not quite, but it is an indication that spring has finally sprung.

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Barracuda just off the coast, an abundance of bonito off the east end of Santa Catalina Island--what more could local fishermen ask for?

Anchovies, that’s what. The bait boats have had a heck of a time rounding up the tiny baitfish, and when they don’t succeed, neither do the fishermen. “We could really use the anchovies,” said Mark Larson, a spokesman for L.A. Harbor Sportfishing.

Larson’s fleet, and that of Long Beach Sportfishing, have been targeting barracuda at the Horseshoe Kelp area outside the harbor. They combined for hundreds of the strong swimming gamefish Saturday and Sunday. But then the anchovies disappeared and the fish count slipped accordingly. “It just dropped off,” Larson said Tuesday. “But I hear they got the anchovies today.”

At Catalina, the bonito have been somewhat more cooperative, hitting the irons and small sardines when the anchovy supply runs out. The Newport Harbor-based fleet has been putting anglers on top of sizable schools of fish to six pounds.

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A month ago, a hooked mackerel wouldn’t last a minute in the Golden Gate area off Cabo San Lucas. A marlin would grab the small fish and go tail-dancing off toward the horizon.

Now the mackerel’s only concern would be the hook in its back or belly. The marlin have moved on. “Boats ranged far and wide this week hunting for marlin,” said a weekly report from the Pisces fleet. And with little success--the fleet caught only six marlin. The good news is that yellowfin tuna are fairly abundant offshore, and roosterfish are still being taken along the beaches.

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Fly-fishing takes the spotlight Friday through Sunday at Long Beach Convention Center, where the sport’s premier casters and tyers will be available for demonstrations and conversation. The event, also featuring auctions and manufacturers’ displays, is being billed as one of the largest fly-fishing-only shows in the country. Admission is $9 per individual, $12 for the immediate family.

Briefly

CONSERVATION--The Department of Fish and Game, United Anglers of Southern California and King Harbor Marlin Club will release 1,500 hatchery-raised and pen-reared white seabass into the ocean off Palos Verdes on Monday. The release of the eight-inch fish is part of an ongoing effort to help restore the white seabass fishery. . . . The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited has rescheduled its Dog Trial competition between breeds to Saturday at Raahague’s in Norco. Cost is $40. Proceeds will benefit quail habitat projects. Details: (818) 442-0459.

MISCELLANY--Contrary to popular opinion, Silverwood Lake will not be drained next fall, but drawn down 40 feet so water district employees can tear down the outflow tower and build a new one to earthquake standards. It is not known what effect the two-year project will have on fishing. . . . The 95-foot Searcher, long a fixture at San Diego landings, is moving to Newport Landing on Thursday and will remain through June 30, running overnight trips targeting Catalina and San Clemente Island.

CALENDAR--The Newport Boat Show, the largest in-the-water show on the West Coast, will be held Thursday through Sunday at Newport Dunes Marina and Lido Marina Village. . . . The DFG and Optimist International are sponsoring a fishing clinic and derby at Legg Lake in El Monte on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Details: (310) 590-5182. . . . The San Diego Rod and Reel Club is holding a bottom-fishing tournament for cash prizes Saturday off Point Loma. Details: (619) 462-7377. . . . A 14-mile bicycle “fun ride” along the West Fork of the San Gabriel River, to benefit the Casa Colina Center for Rehabilitation, will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. Details: (909) 596-7733, Ext. 2216. . . . Author Gary La Fontaine will be a guest of the Downey Fly Fishers Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Rio San Gabriel Park in Downey. Details: (310) 425-7936. . . . Art’s Tackle in Gardena is conducting a free rod-building clinic Saturday at 11 a.m. and a calico bass seminar on April 16. The seminar will be followed by an overnight charter to Catalina or San Clemente Island. Details: (310) 327-4171. . . . Sportfishing with Dan Hernandez will hold an on-the-water fishing school on April 16 aboard the Matt Walsh out of L.A. Harbor Sportfishing. Details: (213) 721-5357.