TAKE OFFSHORE LEAVE

THE COAST IS CLEARING AS MORE BOATS ARE ABLE TO HEAD OFFSHORE, SOUTHLAND SALTWATER FISHING SHOULD BE WIDE OPEN

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

So another month of coronavirus lockdown has passed and things are loosening up in regards to fishing. Even as restrictions and regulations are constantly changing and keep coming in waves, leaving us to ask questions, what we can focus on now is that we can all just go fishing in one way or another.

At this writing we still could only fish with family members, even though many were adopting their fishing buddies as relatives, but hopefully as you read this that is finally over because summer beckons. Sport boats will have the next hurdles

With California’s restrictions for fishing starting to loosen up, anglers who can get aboard a boat heading off the Southern California coast should have a plethora of species to target. The yellowtail bite looks like a good bet in June. (BILL SCHAEFER)

to make when they’re able to book charters.

As we finally got to go in boats out on the bays and the Pacific Ocean, there were some issues with the worst red tide seen in years. Red tides are an algae bloom that chokes off the oxygen in the water. Since it only goes down about 20 feet, the fish tend to go out deeper. Inshore bass could be found in about 75 to 100 feet of water on rock piles, along with good-eating rockfish. So I stocked up for fish tacos. Calicos were biting 1.5-ounce jigheads with brown bait swimbaits I threw at them.

Squid, shrimp and tons of anchovy – as well as red crab and sardine – are everywhere off the coast of Southern California right now and attracting hungry diners. The water temperature will be up to 70 degrees and higher, and as soon as the red tide dissipates completely, the fishing should explode.

YELLOWTAIL HAVE BEGUN BITING around all the islands adjacent to the coast. The Coronado Islands in Mexican waters just south of San Diego have been a major hot spot. Some yellows have been taken off floating kelp paddies as well.

Tuna are starting to hit the decks of the private boats that can now chase them. Bluefin have been the main

target of most anglers, although a few yellowfin have been taken as well. Commercial boats, along with private boats with a lot of range, have come in with albacore. But they are out about 75 to 100 miles, although a few lucky boats have found them nearer to shore. Hopefully, by now they are in even closer since it’s been way too long since we’ve seen them.

Still, all indications seem to predict another good year for tuna. And if the sport boats can adapt to the new rules and start fishing soon, they should do

Fishing for plentiful calico bass should be strong in the kelp beds by now, but don’t be afraid to check deep structure just off the visible kelp. (BILL SCHAEFER)

well right off the bat, if they haven’t already done so.

Last year the June fishing was full-steam ahead, with everything biting for anglers. You could choose almost any type of fishing and be able to fulfill any wish you had. This year should be good as long as the rules don’t change again. Remember, the border is closed to Mexico, so if not open there will be no fishing in Mexican waters for a while. But the bays – both inshore and offshore – should be available on some scale.

BAY BASS AND HALIBUT fishing has been extremely good. Spotted bay bass have comprised the bulk of catches. A couple anglers in San Diego Harbor can land anywhere between 50 to 100 fish. Other bays up and down the coast have been doing quite well also.

Shortfin corvina have also been on the catch list, and some really nicesized halibut have been caught as well. Small plastics, spinnerbaits and crankbaits do well for the bass. Corvina and halibut hit them too, with live bait another option for the latter species.

Sand bass will be headed into their spawn in the next few weeks, which should make for nonstop action once you get on a school of fish. All up and down the coastline they will do their mating dance in about 100 feet of water, but they will be suspended at 40 to 60 feet deep. Look for the schools on your meter. Plastic swimbaits on a jighead in almost any color will do the trick for these guys.

Calicos should be charging your local kelp too, as soon as the water clears up and water temps are consistently in the 70s. Last year around this time saw wide-open topwater action in most kelp beds, so here’s hoping for another solid June. At first light throw lighter-weight jigheads with swimbaits. Race them over the kelp stringers and watch the calicos explode on them.

This action went on for months last year and should continue this summer as well. Once you try this it’s

hard to put the topwater rod down.

The yellowtail have already shown, since they are not really affected by the red tide. Offshore areas are best for them right now. As soon as the red tide clears, they should slide into the kelp beds as well.

Along with the yellowtail there have been some giant bonito and some barracuda caught. These fish are always fun on the iron and those giant oceanic bonito put up quite a battle and will really test the drags on your reels. All these fish have been taken on the iron jigs and live bait.

IT’S TIME TO GO fishing again after a spring restricted by stay-at-home orders, so when you can, get out on the water and enjoy the outdoors. Just make sure to keep to the rules your county has set and we will get to keep enjoying fishing for our favorite species. Tight lines to you all. CS

They’re a little further out from the bays, but albacore will make for a good option for long-range boats. (BILL SCHAEFER)