Albacore are here

I usually don't post my Sentinel Reports here, but it tells the whole story.  This is tomorrow's news tonight, so don't tell my editor.

9/14/06
Saltwater Report

Reports of albacore catches as close as 35 miles from Santa Cruz on Sunday had experienced anglers grabbing for their gear, and heading out to the deep blue pelagic waters for the elusive longfin tuna this week. Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine says that mid-September and October are historically the best months for albacore in our area, and the offshore currents finally decided to cooperate with us. Anglers have been catching tuna all week around the “601” seamount area. Fraser received reports of 12-30 fish per boat in the 15-30-pound class.

On Monday, Gerry Brookes from Reel Sportfishing and Jim Rubin from Captain Jimmy’s Sportfishing teamed up on Brookes’ boat the Doble. Together they posted a score of 30 albacore weighing up to 33 pounds each. Rubin says, “There were jumpers everywhere. We boated fish till our hold was full and our arms were tired.” Private boaters also did well. Offshore veteran Jason Collins found the fish a mere 30 miles from Santa Cruz. “We scratched up 12 on Tuesday. It took longer to clean them than to catch them.” Now is the time to book an offshore trip for the tuna. As last week’s column proves, there is no way to predict how long they may be here and available to catch. Stagnaro’s Sportfishing will be running a tuna trip on the Princess Saturday, and the smaller six-pack boats are all ready to go.

Big fish honors this week go to angler Larry Roland. While soaking a seven-inch smelt off the Capitola wharf last week, Roland hooked a rare Giant Black Sea Bass. The barrel-shaped beauty, estimated to weigh around 40 pounds,  provided a lively 15-minute fight for Roland. Ed Burrell provided a timely assist from Capitola Boat and Bait, using his shore boat to net the fish. A quick picture was taken, and the fish was successfully released. Black sea bass can grow to over 600 pounds, are classified as Critically Endangered and enjoy full and total protection from take by recreational or commercial anglers. It is good to see one in our local waters and we commend Roland’s successful catch and release of this gorgeous fish.

Inshore fishing remains about the same. Rockfishing is very good from the local reefs and fantastic from the North Coast reefs to Ano Nuevo. Halibut fishing slowed this week due to the ocean swell, but should pick up off the North coast beaches as the waves die down.

Freshwater Report

Loch Lomond closes for the season after Friday, September 15. Reports indicate the bass fishing thee has remained steady, and we received no reports of trout from that lake this week.

Fall is upon us, and it’s time to look north for the Fall-run salmon and steelhead in the northern coastal rivers. According to Khevin Mellegers from Mad River Outfitters, salmon and steelhead are beginning to show in the Klamath and Trinity Rivers and the fishing will only get better as the season progresses.

Hi scallen,

Where can we view the picture of that black sea bass?

Allen,

You got any weekdays free anytime soon?  Let's jump on Gerry's boat and go hunting.

-Allen

The BSB pic should be on the online sentinel website tomorrow morning.

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/

Allen- I would so love to get on Gerry's boat for a crack at the longfins, but I don't see it happening.  Kids and a wife that is a teacher is keeping me home evey morning.

(Maybe could talk my next-door-neighbor into coming over at 7 and giving my boy a ride to school in trade for a nice albie loin.....hmmmmm....gears are whirring)

Anyone interested in fishiing for theese fish should strike quickly.  they are here today but tomorow?


Allen

The Albie report must be true.  I took my dog around San Leandro Marina and saw a bunch of albacore carcasses in the dumpster.  They must be close.

Allen ... keep those gear whirring.  I've got a message into Gerry checking on availability.  Hmmm ... I wonder what he'll think of ferrying some yaks offshore. 

Is your boy old enough to make the trip with us?

-Allen

No, he's only 7 and he gets seasick.......  gears and cogs engaged today

allen

... applying reel-x to those gears and cogs ... remember I owe you one.

-Allen