Daiwa bass rods, similar to those stolen from the Chubasco II

The week held nice weather and decent seas for the most part, and the anglers showed up to fish. The landings sent out the largest number of boats and anglers aboard so far this year. Yellowtail continue to bite off the Coronado Islands and down the line in northern Baja, while rockfish, sculpin and bass, both calico and sand, are the main targets closer to home. The half-day boats found a few local yellows willing to bite, as did some private boaters and kayak anglers off La Jolla. Some nice-sized lingcod are being reported in the rockfish mix off the Coronados for the ¾-day boats, while the 1.5-day and longer trips scored on a good rockfish bite along with those yellows and some chunky whitefish on the high spots off the Baja coast. There is a decent sign of white seabass at Catalina Island, though few have been caught locally. I expect to see some in the local reports within a month or so.

Wharf-Rat News

Apparently, someone (or two or three) broke into the Chubasco II’s dock locker in Quivera Basin, Mission Bay, and made off with a grip of rental rods and reels. From their notice on Bloody Decks: “Please keep an eye out for anyone selling a large quantity of used Daiwa rods or Daiwa Seagates at local swap meets, garage sales, and online.” Anyone with info can contact Chubasco II at: 619-599-8290.

Dock Totals March 12 – 18

1636 anglers aboard 78 boats out of San Diego landings this past week caught 172 yellowtail, 72 calico bass, 164 sand bass, 3,509 rockfish, 415 sanddab, 1 halfmoon, 11 lingcod, 2 halibut, 34 bonito, 762 sculpin, 184 mackerel, 2 cabezon, 29 sheephead, 26 bocaccio, 154 whitefish, 6 finescale triggerfish, 5 spider crab and 57 spiny lobster.

Top Performing Boats of the Week

March 18: The Jig Strike took 6 anglers out on a hoop-netting trip and reported 18 California spiny lobster kept and 107 California spiny lobster released.

March 17: 12 anglers aboard the Chubasco II for a half-day run caught 2 sheephead and 72 calico bass. They released 27 of the bass.

March 15: The Malihini ¾-day run with 12 anglers aboard reported 32 rockfish and 9 yellowtail caught at the Coronado Islands. The Outer Limits called in with 4 whitefish, 3 sheephead, 70 rockfish and 22 yellowtail caught by the 21 anglers aboard their 1.5 day Baja coast run.

March 12: The 35 anglers aboard the Liberty for a 1.5 Baja coast run put 126 rockfish, 17 bonito and 40 yellowtail in the hold.

Fish Plants: No plants scheduled this week.