Imperial Valley Press

THE TACKLE BOX By George Bucklin

Good news for fishermen! Ocean bill.

The above catches were reported by sport fishing boat operators and verified, according to the H. & M. Sport Fishing company, which operates its fleet of boats from the foot of Broadway.

Fishing in San Diego off-shore waters is at last beginning to justify the early season predictions made for it. After a more or less uncertain period, during which catches were somewhat spotty, the big ones started to bite ravenously last Saturday.

On Thursday of this week, fishing really came into its own. Some Saturday. Skippers of sport fishing craft are now promising that August, and possibly September will be the banner months of the season.

Of the outstanding catches were as follows: "Star Angler," 79 yellowtail: "Sea Angler," 102 yellowtail and the "Virginia" 46 yellowtail and one tuna.

On August 1, 2, 5 fishermen on the "Sea Angler" brought 87 yellowtail to gaff, or an average of more than 3 apiece for each angler. Other boats did proportionately as well. Anglers who prefer fishing barges to boats will be interested in knowing that recent catches made on the "Point Loma" and "Ike Walton" anchored off Point Loma, have been nothing short of phenomenal.

On the following day, the "Star Angler", registered a catch of 45 yellowtail and the "Golden West," with a small charter party aboard accounted for 25 yellowtail.

On August 3, anglers on these two fine barges ran up the following scores: yellowtail, 73: white sea bass, 48: barracuda, 527 and kelp bass, 150. Shoreboats leave from the foot of Broadway for these barges daily at 6:00 a.m., 12 noon and 4 p. m.

One of the most gratifying features of the catches being recorded is the size of the yellowtail caught. These have been averaging from 18 to 20 pounds, all in first class condition.

Although the ocean waters from the Mexican Coronados to San Diego abound in bluefin tuna, comparatively few have been caught. All sorts of seductive lures have been used to tempt the "strongest fish that swims," but to little avail. One of these days their temperamental mood will be over and then watch out for broken lines and tangled gear!

Several oversized white sea bass have recently been taken as trophies on the sport fishing boats but pastel shaded beauties are not eligible in this year's fishing derby. Nevertheless they are fine eating and a credit to the successful angler who brings them home.

Tremendous numbers of unusually large barracuda are daily being brought into port by returning fishermen.

Reports from along the embarcadero indicate the "snakes are more abundant this season than they have been for the past several years.

True to earlier prognostications that the marlin would commence to run off San Diego in August! several of these fighting swordfish have been brought to gaff since the first of the month. One, weighing 247 1/2 pounds, was caught on heavy tackle on August 3. Three, averaging 70 pounds, were brought in by two boats on the 5th. Last Sunday,

August 2, anglers on a charter boat received two strikes but no fish were landed. Several other marlin were sighted, included one broad-bill. The above catches were reported

Robert L. Cox of Los Angeles is leading contender in the San Diego Fishing Derby, in the yellowtail class. His fish weighed 38 pounds and 11 ounces. W. M. C. Dailey of Conogo Park, is head man in the tuna division, having landed a blue fin weighing 35 pounds, 7 ounces.

B. Kobata of El Centro, is 10th on the list in the yellowtail division, having brought one to gaff that scaled 25 pounds, 11 ounces. No albacore has yet been qualified.

Bert Lemons, Bert Underwood and Bill Clements, have not made their usual showing this year in garnering in record breaking yellowtail or tuna. It is whispered that they are gunning for swordfish. Meanwhile Ed Hall and S. T. Marshall have been making big preparations for an unlooked for surprise.

Chet Hartigan and Bob Whitelaw