08-30-2003, 12:12 AM
Hey there guys,
Just thought I would re-account a trip to San Clemente Island located between Los Angeles and San Diego for Yellowtail.
My fishing club chartered an overnighter for 8/28 9PM to 9PM named the Aztec (around 60ft) from a Long Beach landing. We got great bait at the bait receiver (6 to 10 inch sardines) and got to the island before dawn. Fishing the frontside, the morning was a bust with few fish caught so out we went paddy hopping. For those who haven't heard of this it is somewhat like the bass angler's 'run and gun'.
The boat searches for kelp paddys that have broken away from kelp beds, are free floating, and attract a number of pelegic fish (dorado, albacore, and yellowtail) Once found, everybody casts to the paddy hoping fish underneath will bite. Yesterday was a day when fish were metered but didn't want to bite. After hitting a good 15 or 20 paddys, our total for the day was around 20 tails. The fish were really small with an averge of 10 pounds while the biggest went maybe 20. With 25 anglers, that was considered a poor day at this time of the season. No fault of the crew.
I caught my fish yo yoing an Ironman white jig with a red gill flare, while most caught theirs on the sardines.
The 3/4 open party boat we usually take when to Catalina Island the same day and scored 71 yellowtail for 21 anglers.
Go Figure!!
Very good fishing here regardless of one blah trip.
JapanRon
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