Catalina Report 7-24

:nono:

Dove Cat on Sat., what a madhouse. Reminds me why I NEVER dive the island on a weekend. Private boats, charter boats, hobo boats, skiffs, dingies, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, ski boats, yaghts, sailboats and more of all of the above. It's almost like hangin out in Waikiki and watching all the tourists but you're afraid for your life every time you hit the water.

Anyways, conditions were absolutely incredible. We started on the frontside W end with top to bottom vis and moved east and didn't have less than 50' vis all day. I stayed in the beds most of the day lookin for seabass even though I hate hunting those fish in super clean water. Spent most of the day looking for dirtier water and never found that, or the fish. Let my buddies dive outside for yellows, I was just too scared of getting run over. A few spots looked promising with good current, bait, but no go on the gamefish.

Water was still a bit chilly for this time of year at a consistent 63 degrees. Saw a few other divers I knew out there and nobody was haviing much luck on either side of the island. A friend did manage a few yellows frontside mid island, but when we headed over to the spot, there were 4 boats on it, and it's a 1 boat spot.

I ended the day with a nice calico that was almost as long as the halibut I shot. All three of us were just enjoying the beautiful dive conditons and trying to not get run over. Personally, I'm off to Baja for the next 3 weeks, so I'm not feeling too much pressure to shoot anything as I'll be in it thick in a few days Godwilling!

Hope the report helps.

Quote from Don Paul

Thanks Gobig, Dam 63 degrees is chilly for this time of year.When the YT really move in they may stay till
Thanksgiving as the water won't be to hot to ship them off to the North Chanel Islands.
Maybe will have albacore just 10 miles offshore later.:D
Cheers, Don

The albacore definately like the cooler water! My grandfather owned the original Peirpoint landing as well as a tuna fleet. He used to tell me stories of catching tuna right outside Long Beach. Insane, imagine what that would be like:@

Definately shaping up to be a different year this year.