California spiny lobster

A decent weather week brought more anglers to the landings and private boaters to the local spots, resulting in mixed counts depending on who was targeting what. The yellowtail bite along the coast of northern Baja slowed a bit toward the end of the week due to cool water and surging currents. That said, the tide phase is easing off and the water has warmed 2 degrees back to 61 to 63 over the weekend and the bite should pick back up.

Closer to home, the La Jolla area has kicked out a few nice homeguard yellowtail for kayakers and private boaters. Rockfish have been the mainstay for most of the ½ and ¾ day boats, so very few calico bass in the counts though they are biting when the kelp is up for those targeting them. Spotted bay bass continue to bite very well, along with some decent springtime halibut in both San Diego and Mission bays along the eelgrass edges and holes off the main channel. The count doesn’t reflect it, but the spiny lobsters have shown up for many of the hoop-netters wanting to get the last few drops in this season, which ends March 22.

Dock Totals 3/5 – 3/11: 1,121 anglers aboard 53 boats out of San Diego landings this past week caught 168 yellowtail, 13 calico bass, 30 sand bass, 3,128 rockfish, 243 sanddab, 21 rubberlip seaperch, 46 halfmoon, 16 lingcod, 1 halibut, 62 bonito, 611 sculpin, 71 mackerel, 1 cabezon, 110 sheephead, 317 whitefish, 6 finescale triggerfish, 1 red rock crab and 3 spiny lobster.

Top performing boats of the week

March 11: The Chubasco II out on a ½ day run with 27 anglers aboard called in with1 halibut, 2 lingcod,5 calico bass and 208 rockfish in the gunnysacks. The Malihini reported 57 whitefish, 1 yellowtail, 3 sheephead and 109 rockfish for their 17 anglers aboard. 46 anglers aboard the Electra caught 60 rockfish, 63 sculpin, 41 sanddab, 41 mackerel and 3 whitefish on a ½ day run off Oceanside.

March 10: The Outer Limits took 9 anglers out on an overnight trip and returned to the dock with 2 sheephead, 1 calico bass, 3 sculpin, 5 lingcod, 3 whitefish and 90 rockfish in the hold.

March 9: 9 anglers aboard the Premier on a ½ day run sacked up 20 rockfish, 39 sculpin, 3 sand bass and 1cabezon.

March 8: The Point Loma returned from a ½ day run with 19 anglers aboard and reported 2 sand bass, 33 sculpin, 1 sheephead, 5 rubberlip seaperch and 37 rockfish.

March 5: 34 anglers aboard the Pacific Queen on a 1.5 day run south of the border hauled in 66 yellowtail and 170 rockfish. The Old Glory called in with 96 rockfish, 11 bonito and 12 yellowtail for the 24 anglers aboard their 1.5 day trip to the Colonet area. 89 yellowtail and 140 rockfish were reported caught by 14 anglers on a 2.5 day trip aboard the Pacific Voyager.

Fish Plants: 3/20 - Lake Jennings, trout (1,500)