Marlin pop up all around Catalina Island

by Jim Niemiec

Marlin fishing kicked into high gear over the weekend with many

hookups reported by private yachts fishing mid-channel waters. Even

though water temperatures are still a bit on the cool side and there

has been a small craft advisory in effect for most of the week,

marlin decided to get into a feeding mood.

Rosie Cadman, who operates the cafe/fresh seafood stand and is

weigh master on the end of the Avalon Pier, reported that striped

marlin were showing up all around the island.

“Looks like the fish are here, boats are calling in with lots of

hookups and released fish,” Cadman said. “Everything just exploded on

Saturday to kick off what could end up being a pretty good billfish

season. We are looking at 71.1 degree water right outside the harbor

and that’s probably why the marlin fishing got so good.”

Rob Stewart of Corona del Mar hooked into a marlin four miles off

Pyramid Point, while fishing on board the Acacia with Sean Holden at

the helm.

It took Steward nearly two hours to bring the fish to the stern of

the boat to be gaffed and the marlin weighed 157 pounds when hoisted

on the Avalon scale.

Bob Siemer of Carlsbad hooked into a 114 pound striper while

fishing on the yacht Reel Crazy with Captain Todd Sherman at the

wheel. Siemer’s fish was hooked 5 miles off the west end of Catalina

Island.

Among those releasing marlin on Saturday was Balboa Angling Club

member George Rostron on the boat Sea Mistress captained by Cordic

Roston.

According to Cadman many Avalon Tuna Club members were out fishing

for marlin in hopes of catching their button fish for the season.

Conditions continue to improve in the channel as warmer water is

bringing up marlin from off Baja California. There appears to be a

lot of bait based on information being passed on by boaters trolling

over high spots in the channel and all around Catalina and San

Clemente Islands.