FISHING
CHASE THE 3 ‘B’-MIGOS HERE’S HOW TO CATCH BASS, BARRACUDA, BONITO PROWLING THE SOCAL COAST By Capt. Bill Schaefer
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s we transition from fall to winter, fishing off the Southern California coast has been excellent. Warm weather has kept the bite going and anglers are taking advantage of it. But here’s the question: How much longer will it last? I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that the three B’s will take us through the winter months with some fun action. If we’re talking barracuda, bonito and bass, they will do the trick this winter for your fishing fix.
KELP CLASS When starting off in your preferred offshore kelp bed, watch for the different species of game fish pushing bait to the surface, as well as terns feeding on the schools from the skies. Inside bays and harbors you’ll find bonito – with some barracuda and even some spotted or regular sand bass – below the surface. Outside, if right along the kelp, those same bonito and barracuda will be joined by the calico bass. Bonito have been running from about 1 to 5 pounds, with occasional fish up toward 8 pounds. Usually, the larger 10- to 15-pounders are found farther offshore. It’s been a while since we have seen the giants we used to get off the kelp line, but maybe they will start to return, as the bonito population seems to be improving every year.
’CUDA FOR ALL Barracuda have always mainstay of fishermen
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Even with winter near, Southern California saltwater fishing should stay hot through this month. Larger bonito tend to hang offshore, but fish will drift in following bait. Joel King admires a nice one. (BILL SCHAEFER) calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman
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