Video: Weekend Fishing Update

A private boater reported catching six yellowfin tuna 12 miles southeast of Dana Point on Friday. The ahi were in the eight- to 12-pound class and were traveling with pods of dolphin.

“This is big news,” said Captain Jeff Jones from Captain on Board, who saw a photo of the tuna that was sent by cellular phone from the fishing grounds. “I see no reason why this bite isn’t going to continue.”

In San Diego, tuna fishing continues to improve for most as bluefin and yellowfin tuna continues to push within 60 miles of Point Loma. A few dorado and more yellowtail were also caught under floating kelp paddies.

As long the wind and subsequent drops in water temperatures stay away, the tuna bite should progress.

In other news, Captain John Ackley of the Westerly out of Long Beach Sportfishing reported seeing thousands of white sea bass on Thursday. “I have never seen anything it before,” said the veteran skipper. “Short white sea bass had surrounded the boat and we could see them all the way into the kelp line.”

Ackley said he could also see sea bass in the 20- to 50-pound class swimming beneath the smaller croaker. The only problem, according to Ackley, was that the smaller fish would eat the bait before the larger sea bass could get to it.

The Westerly and passengers released more than 50 short white sea bass, caught two sea bass in the 12- to 15-pound class, and had limits of calico bass.

Catfish in Lake Laguna Niguel are averaging two to three pounds and are stocked every other Thursday, with the next stocking scheduled for Aug. 25.

Due to a statewide shortage of catfish, this will be the last stocking for the season. The good news? The last stocking will be 2,000 pounds of trophy catfish in the four to eight-pound class.

The biggest catfish of the week was caught by Victor Sanchez of Dana Point. He topped off his five-fish limit with a 9-pound, 2-ounce whisker fish that hit a chunk of bonita soaked in Catfish Cove.