FISHIN' IS HAPPENIN' !
Today has brought good news for the 1/2 Day, 3/4 Day and Twilight fishing trips. It seems as though the Barracuda have finally made their appearance on the coast. As of 9 AM this morning, there was a wide open bite on the Barracuda with quite a bit of 8-10 lb. Bonito mixed in. The fish are well within range of even the 1/2 Day trips, not to mention the 3/4 Day boats running out of Newport Beach.

BARRACUDA & BONITO
Hopefully, we're in the big annual bite for this species. We were a little concerned since we would typically see the Barracuda arrive around mid-May, but they're here today, and in BIG numbers. Bring your 30-40 lb. rigs with jigs ranging from #1 - #2 Blue & White, Chrome & Blue (or Green), heavier Chrome "Krocodiles" or "Mega-Baits", and be ready to pull! If you're going to use live bait, which is very effective, bring 1/0 or 2/0 hooks, small sinkers (1/4 or 1/2 oz. sliders) or wire leaders (which are available a Davey's Locker) and you'll be ready to "go to battle".

We have 1/2 Day trips this Wednesday through Friday afternoons, leaving at 12:30 PM on the "Western Pride". Then on Saturday and Sunday we'll have (2) 1/2 Day trips each day leaving at 6:00 AM and again at 12:30 PM. It's a good bet that the boat will be going after the Barracuda and Bonito even though the Bass had started biting late last week, but not like the Barracuda and Bonito today.

The 3/4 Day boat, "Freelance" will definitely be fishing the Barracuda and Bonito. The 3/4 Day trips leave at 7:00 AM, this Wednesday through Friday and we have scheduled Limited Load, Extended 3/4 Day trips for Saturday and Sunday, leaving at 6:30 AM. Reservations are required for the weekend trips.

The Twilight trips on the "Freelance" have a good chance of cashing in on the Barracuda since they are sometimes good nocturnal biters. We've had plenty of good bites on the Barracuda at night. We have Twilight trips scheduled 7 evenings a week, leaving at 7:00 PM. Finish you workday, then go fishing!

WHITE SEA BASS & YELLOWTAIL(?)
The White Sea Bass made an unbelievable appearance late last week with limit style fishing for 2-3 days. The bite slowed over the weekend but it should ramp up again, based on the volume of fish in that area. The fish are in the best possible place for the Full Day boats/trips. Pack your 30-50 lb. gear with a 4 oz. sinker for a dropper loop or bring a heavy White jig, which you'll top off with squid and "hold on" for the White Sea Bass! Yellowtail have been cruising the island and some have been caught. There are enough of them showing to make for a good bite and this is bound to happen as soon as the conditions settle down which could be any day based on the current weather forecast. Surface irons are the way to go or the old traditional method of fly-lining with live bait.

The "Tide Change" has a trip scheduled to leave this Friday night at 9:00 PM. The price is $150, limited to 22 passengers and advance reservations are required. Based on the bite we will have more frequently scheduled trips so you can take advantage of the bite so stay tuned.