Catalina Island White Sea Bass

[AJ]

Ok, so I didn't catch this fish off my Shamrock, but it was a really nice
fish that was caught in the most heinous fishing conditions on Saturday.
A storm blew through Southern California that day with lots of rain
and high winds. Small craft warning flags were flying in Avalon Harbor and the backside of Catalina Island was "Victory at Sea". All the boats were heading back to the lee side of the island for protection. There's no sea bass on the front side, though, so if you want to catch one, you've got to put up with the elements on the backside or East End.
I anchored off Seal Rocks on the East End where there was a slight decrease in the wind and swell and some ok looking sea bass water.
There were a few other boats doing the same thing, but they soon left the area. I was down to my last few pieces of live squid, when my 20lb rig went off. Initially, it felt like a really big bat ray, until I felt the head shakes. On the certified scale at the Avalon pier, it weighed in at 42.5 lbs.
I submitted the catch to the Balboa Angling Club so I can get my button.

It was nice to see Jason and Phil on the "Exodus" over in Avalon. Nice looking boat! They were very brave (or crazy) to make the journey over to the island in those conditions. :lol:

Cheers,

Ali
"Surly Mermaid"
2004 246 WA (240hp Yanmar)

[Exodus]

Great catch Ali!

To be able to score a fish like that in those conditions is pretty amazing. I hope you get your button, you deserve it. I need to get back over there again real soon to give it another shot before it's too late. 8)

Jason

[easytimes455]

Great fish!!! Nothing like rippin' fish lips, what am lips. Now them's a set of fish lips, for sure.

Good opportunity to get a picture of the real surly mermaid, too. Thanks for posting it with a little more resolution.

I'm convinced, now... get that mermaid outfit. You'll have the best avatar ever. Hope you read my other post, or you'll think I'm crazy for saying this. Not that I mind being crazy... but I like there to be a reason, if someone is going to think I am.
CB

[AJ]

These are kinda cool. I did some brain surgery on the head of my white
sea bass today and extracted the otoliths (ear bones). From what I've read, they're used for both sound detection and acoustic transduction in the fish. They have opaque and translucent rings that are spaced like the rings on a tree. They say scientists can estimate the age of a fish by counting the rings. Whatever, I just think they're really beautiful - crystalline in nature - and I want to make a necklace pendant out of one.
Know any good jewelers? :lol:

Ali
"Surly Mermaid"
2004 246 WA (240hp Yanmar)

[Damon]

What? You all were out there catching big WSB without me!! What's up with that :cry: ???

Actually, my boat has been down for a while. I fianlly took a day off from work yesterday and powered out on getting everything back together. Other than a few minor issues, IT'S FINALLY DONE!! Now I need get my boat off the blocks and back on the trailer.....

Nice fish there, Ali!! I heard that WSB is an excellent fish to eat (never tried it). I'm still trying to catch my first one. Unfortunately, live squid bait is uncommon here in San Diego. WSB are caught "here and there" on big Sardines or small Mackerals.

Jason, how many miles is it to Catalina Islands from Oceanside Harbor? I plan to take my boat out tomorrow to the Coronados and/or Rock Piles. Let me know whenever you're up for a buddy boat trip.....

[Exodus]

Damon, I think it's about 46nm from O'side. I actually launched from Dana Point, and that was 34nm. 12nm less to go "uphill" and Dana Point is only 30 minutes from my house (with no traffic of course). I plan on going back over in a few weeks. Hopefully the weather will cooperate this time! :lol:

Jason