southern california fishing advice?

Question
Hi! I'm looking to get my friend a 3/4 day pass for a fishing trip on a boat in southen California. Unfortunately, I know hardly anything about the subject and I could definitely use some advice!

I tried to do some research and found a few places: Dana Wharf Sportfishing (Dana Point), Newport Landing (Newport Beach), Long Beach Sportfishing (Long Beach), and 22nd Street Landing (San Pedro).

Would you recommend any of these or do you have other suggestions? What makes one place better than the other? What are things I should look at before deciding on a place? Is it good season to fish in any of these areas right now?

Thank you so much for even taking the time to read this!!

Best-
elise

Answer
Hello Elise!
Thanks for asking. My appologies for not responding sooner...my other job keeps me very busy with the Southern California fire season underway.

The landings that you found during your search are all reputable. I am a bit partial to Dana Wharf and further south to Oceanside ( Helgrens Sprotfishing) and San Diego... Islandia Sportfishing in Mission Bay, Fishermans Landing and Point Loma Sportfishing (both world renowned on Point Loma).

All of the landings are full service. The price of your ticket on the 3/4 day boats includes the ride and bait. Full tackle packages are available for rent at all of the landings if your friend does not have his or her own and the deck hands on the boats readily help all the anglers with "rent rods". They will also show you and set up the rod/reel with the best rigging for the given situation the skipper elects to fish in. ( The promise to a deckhand of a sizeable tip...$20 or so will keep him at you or your friends' beck and call!! ;}).

The bait provided is live bait.(they may also provide some cut baits/chunks/fillets from the live). Typically it will consist of live anchovies or pacific sardines...and every so often, live squid. These baits are excellent for taking most of the species you may encounter. Some of the more common species will be:  Calico (kelp) bass, barred sand bass (aka sandies, cockroaches, grumpers (big ones)), pacific blue mackerel, pacific Bonito (boneheads, Bonita, bonies), Pacific lesser barracuda ( barries, skinnies), California Halibut, White Seabass, Yellowtail and numerous species of rockfish.

Their are minimum size limits for many of the species and the deckhands will help you with them. They will also help with any species that may be hazardous to you...sculpin, the only scorpionfish in our area is pretty common (as well as very tasty). The occasional skate or ray ( the torpedo ray is very cool and can give you a heck of an electric jolt!) or small shark may also find their way to your offering so remember to ask any number of questions.

With any luck, the three most prized species you may catch will be the Halibut, the white seabass and the most prized of all, the yellowtail...they can push 15 to 30 pounds very commonly and fight very well.

Some other things of interest: the Jackpot! Most of the vessels will ask that you sign-in once the boat is underway. At this time, they will ask you if you want a gunny sack for your fish (the answer is yes!). That will set you back a buck or two and a sack tag will be given to you. Halfof the tag will be attached to your sack and left with the hand to be hung around the bait tank in numerical order and the other half will be your claim check for collecting you catch at the dock.

At the same time you are issued a sack tag, you will most often be asked if you want in on the "pot" or jackpot. Don't pass up this little tradition! It will cost you from three to five dollars and they not on the log and the sack tag, that you are in the "pot"...the angler with the biggest fish, that pitched in on the pot, wins! On a crowded party boat, you may walk with a nice little chunk-o-change...enough for another ticket or some gas money home!One final thing about this tradition: the jackpot is often left to the crew or at least, split with them and if you knew what they were paid, you'd probably leave it for them.

At the end of the fishing day, you will be asked if you want your fish cleaned...usually for a price. They will be filleted nearly bone free and you will have no nasty carcasses to dispose of at home that night. I usually choose to clean my own later so there is less waist...I take my time... or have them cleaned "gills and guts" so I have only to fillet them in the kitchen and the ofal is not an issue. Just remember...some of the boats charge a pretty penny for this service (per fish), some do it complementary for tips only and some do it VERY resonably. Just be sure to clarify with the deck hand that asks if you'd like fish cleaning, just how much it will cost. ( I was on a tuna trip that wound up costing me 75 bucks!) OUCH!

Anyway Elise, wherever you choose to go, you should have a great time. This time of the year, early fall, There is a little nip in the fresh air, the temperatures during the day are mild and the fishing is typically very good for all of the species I mentioned. Although the level of service on the boats may be a bit off because of the "end of the season" syndrome,as a rule, you should have a GREAT adventure and catch some memories along with the fish!
   Have fun...take lots of pictures and be sure to go with your friend and experience things for yourself...
  Good luck and great fishing...
                  Mark Rimmer- Angling expert,
                     AllExperts.com