FISHING / DAN STANTON : Tagging of Halibut Is Proving Beneficial in Study of Migration Habits

Because of the efforts of the Santa Monica Bay halibut tag and release project, more than 2,500 halibut have been tagged since April.

The study is designed to help study the movements of the fish and is expected to benefit the fishery in the future.

Some interesting information has already been uncovered from the 32 tags that have been returned.

A 22-inch halibut that was tagged April 4 was caught Nov. 1 at Morro Bay in 375 feet of water by Travis Evans aboard his boat Alley Cat. The fish had grown to 23 1/2 inches.

Another halibut recovered Nov. 9, 1992, traveled more than 60 miles and was caught in 80 feet of water outside Ventura by Dennis Tye aboard his boat Troller.

Any angler who wants to participate in the project or catches a tagged halibut that is under 22 inches is instructed not to remove the tag. Instead, the angler should take measurements of the fish and call (310) 450-5131 with the information.

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Despite unsettled weather conditions, water temperatures remain warm and local fishing is rated good.

The rigs remains a hot area for bonito. Horseshoe Kelp anglers have been catching three- to five-pound bonito.

Squid have been reported at Catalina, but not in large enough quantities to help bait suppliers fill their tanks.

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The Southern California Sportfishing Assn. had its annual Gold Sinker banquet last weekend.

Cookie Cook, 74, received the Longevity Award for more than 50 years of service skippering sportfishing boats.

Cook skippers the Sportking out of Los Angeles Harbor on three quarter-day trips to Catalina.

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South Bay Catches: Mike Martines of Long Beach, aboard the Islander at Tanner Bank, used a sardine to catch the whopper of the week, a 32-pound yellowtail

Ralph Brent of Redondo Beach, aboard the Blackjack at the Osborne Bank, caught a 27-pound ling cod.

Rick Ozaki of Torrance, aboard the Showgun at San Clemente Island, caught a 22-pound yellowtail.

Kim Inseuo of Torrance, aboard the Spitfire at Venice Reef, caught a 19 1/2-pound halibut.