Well, Spring is here, the water temperature is rising, and it appears that the fish know it and are acting the like they're ready to go!

CALICO BASS: Calicos have really turned on at Catalina Island. The 3/4 Day trips have realized good counts over the past 10 days. It looks like they're finally hungry and anxious to "take the bait". Live sardines and small-medium plastics are the hot tickets. If they're biting at Catalina, the 1/2 Day trips should see good activity for Calicos here on the Coast.

BONITO: The Bonito continue to cooperate at Catalina and show no signs of letting up. The Bonito range from 1.5 to 4.5 pounds and can be had in good numbers. Live bait and small-medium "iron" is what has been getting the job done.

BARRACUDA: Earlier this week BIG schools of Barracuda showed at Catalina. Some boats had some in their counts. It only takes a couple of days for the Barracuda to "settle in" and it's off to the races. Look for increased success over the next few days.

WHITE SEA BASS & YELLOWTAIL: Look out! There are some of both to be had at Catalina and San Clemente Islands. We'll have Full Day trips in the very near future that will be chasing, and hopefully corralling these fish up, so get the heavier gear ready.

TRIPS

The "Western Pride" will go back online for fishing fulltime on Monday, May 5th and will be running Afternoon 1/2 Day trips departing at 12:30 PM on weekdays and will run (2) 1/2 Day trips each day on Saturdays and Sundays until Memorial Day weekend. Those weekend trips depart at 6:00 AM and again at 12:30 PM each day. Until Monday, the "Tide Change" has the 1/2 Day duties.

The "Freelance" started its full 3/4 Day schedule several weeks ago and will continue through the Summer and Fall. Unless privately chartered, the trips will run daily (and usually if the "Freelance" is chartered, we'll have one of our other boats run the Open Party 3/4 Day trips). 3/4 Day trips departdaily at 7:00 AM and fish either Catalina or locally, dependant on where the best fishing is happenin'.

The "FREELANCE" has another Extended, Limited Load 3/4 Day trip sponsored by "BASS PRO SHOPS" and other vendors (OWNER HOOKS, MAXIMA FISHING LINE, MONSTER ENERGY DRINKS, etc) this

Sunday,May 4th. There will be product giveaways by the vendors, seminars and GOOD FISHING with Limited Load (if you don't like crowds). Call in advance for reservations. The "Freelance" is starting to ramp up for Twilight fishing this week. We currently have trips scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until Memorial Day weekend. The trips leave at 7:00 PM. Sculpin will probably be the main target but don't forget the nighttime bite for Sand Bass and potentially Barracuda. It could happen at any time!

We will start our Shark fishing trips on Saturday, May 24th on the "Caliber". The boat is renowned for its Shark fishing, so get your reservations in early. The trips target Makos, Threshers and to a lesser extent, Blues. With warming water, this is the time of the year that we see numbers of these species move into the area. The trips will depart the dock at 6:30 PM.

Full Day trips on the "Tide Change" will start next Saturday night, May 10th,(leaving at 9:00 PM), fishing on Sunday, May 11th. The trip will fish either Catalina or San Clemente Islands, targeting White Sea Bass or Yellowtail. There has been activity, particularly on the White Sea Bass, for about a week and both species should get more active here in the near future.