Report by Dave Shill

Our August 13th 11/2 day trip aboard the Amigo out of Newport Landing left on Thursday night with all of us anxious about the conditions that have been typical this summer for offshore fishing, but hoping maybe we could get into some sort of bite. Well, in spite of the hard work of our skipper Tom, the bite throughout the trip was marginal at best. The water temps that day had just started to plunge into what has been the coldest spell in about 25 years. Temps at San Clemente Island went from 65-67 two days before to 58-62. Even the rockfish where a bit unwilling to bite. On top of that, the wind whipped down both sides of the island 15-20 knots the whole time we were there. Only Pyramid Cove offered up any shelter, and we did manage a few rockfish and calicos there. The two highlights of the trip were a 8.7# calico bass, caught by Floyd Spangler. Despite our best efforts to CPR (Catch, Photograph, Release)the beautiful fish, upon release, it was devoured by one of the hundreds of seals that never left us. Here’s some shots of Floyd’s fish: (more…)