Southern CA Saltwater Fishing Report

Rockfish and lingcod plentiful at Channel Islands, calico count increases Western Outdoor NewsPublished: May 22, 2012

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OXNARD — With a full range of fishing options from local half-day to multi-day outer island trips, boats from Channel Islands Sportfishing Center were able to take advantage of weather windows to score impressive counts of groundfish. Calico counts rose with the water temps and arrival of baitfish along the coast. With 13 boats out, passengers enjoyed a range of options including multi-day, all-day, ¾-day and half-day trips targeting a variety of locales and species. With warming water and bait moving into coastal waters, surface action is turning on, evidenced by increasing counts of calico bass and early season barracuda. Both species are expected to increase in the fish counts over coming weeks. Among the boats, the count for Saturday was 310 anglers catching 59 calico bass, 1 barracuda, 2 sole, 2,122 rockfish, 205 ocean whitefish, 52 sheepshead, 49 lingcod, 3 cabezon, 34 sculpin, and 22 blue perch. For folks wanting to take a break from fishing to enjoy the wildlife and scenery of the dazzling Channel Islands, the Ranger 85, on June 1 will begin offering “Safari Tours” around the islands.