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Old 08-25-2018, 01:07 AM   #1
Bob Ballew
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Catalina Trivia: 8/24/18

Wife and I spent 3 days at Avalon kicking back...Dive and fishing conditions were slow....Blue water but, east end and back side had lots of white particles limiting vis to 15' or so due to wind and cross chop every day by 10 am...not to my liking for open water spearing..hung up the long gun and rigged the big lures. Worked Avalon Bank for nada...Later, Avalon shoreboat guy said a great white had been hanging there for the last two days...up the back side to Salta Verde for one bonito that was the same size as my marlin lure?...released to fight another day...bluefin breaking about 5 miles out in line with SCI east end and reports of decent yellowtail above Salta Verde. All were safe from my efforts....With wife on board, I didn't want to buck the head on stuff coming at us across the Clemente channel...
...A highlight was the field mouse that popped out of my battery compartment as we started the engines...He sat on the swimstep looking somewhat bewildered at our intrusion. A quick scoop with the bait net and he was safely returned to land. Next week, "The Meg" is playing at the Casino theatre! Fellow free diver Gary Conner, was moored next to us on the "High C's". He landed two yellowtail up at Long Point in better visibility.
...At least, everything on the boat worked and my suit still fits.....always a plus when one is a well fed boat owner.... as of 8/24, the great white was still hanging around the 14 mile bank off Newport and some giant bluefin are holding along the backside and above the west end of San Clemente island .....largest so far that I know of, weighed in at 317 lbs......some bluefin showing near Farnsworth and on the Avalon Bank....all 3 (bluefin, dorado and yellowfin) are present inside San Clemente from the east end up to the center of the island...my son is out chasing fish now...will report if anything useful pops up when he comes in...

Last edited by Bob Ballew; 08-25-2018 at 08:51 PM.
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Old 08-26-2018, 11:15 PM   #2
Bob Ballew
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Re: Catalina Trivia: 8/24/18

Postscript; 8/26...Early this am, my son and his buddies landed 10 yellowtail, all over 30 lbs on the backside of Catalina...some bluefin to 215 lbs caught along the Cat Canyon rim near Shark Harbor....large school of on the surface foamers….
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Old 08-27-2018, 05:51 PM   #3
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Re: Catalina Trivia: 8/24/18

Mental note:

If I bump into you out there, conceal the fish bag and tell you that we didn't see anything except a big White Shark...
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Old 08-28-2018, 12:38 AM   #4
Bob Ballew
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Re: Catalina Trivia: 8/24/18

Well, you are entitled to your opinion, which seems inclined toward the negative and very little that is positive...me, I share what I know to help others get on fish without searching the whole big ocean...you need to remember that gamefish move around a lot and where they were today, isn't necessarily where they will be tomorrow; especially bluefin and yellowfin....Right now, there are 300 lb. Bluefin 3 miles off the backside of Catalina and your all time chance of landing a record size fish with the right gear...If any of the info I post helps land one, all to the good.....Bluefin will be here today, gone tomorrow...just like you and I, in the end....

An important reminder: If you boys go chasing the big ones, show some respect and don't jump on a paddy or foamer of fish where hook and line guys were working it first...that is the kind of dumbass move that will cause legislation to be passed against us and frankly, I wouldn't blame them...there are lots of paddies and lots of spots of fish...go find your own spot and save all of us some grief down the line...……………………………………………………...on the other hand, if you see they aren't getting any action, it is ok to get on the radio (usually ch. 69 or 72) and ask if they would mind if you give it a try...I have had success several times where the fish aren't in a biting mood, they are seeing the fish and are fine with a spearo having a chance to bite the fish, IF some respect is shown........(guys on the Parker that piss of the fisherguys every year; are you listening?)

Last edited by Bob Ballew; 08-28-2018 at 02:38 AM.
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Old 08-28-2018, 04:37 AM   #5
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Re: Catalina Trivia: 8/24/18

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Ballew View Post
Bluefin will be here today, gone tomorrow...just like you and I, in the end....


Thank you so much for the report as always. For those who wants more info on cow bluefins at cat check out the link below. I found it as useful as Bob's post.

https://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/th...y-8-26.697953/
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Old 08-28-2018, 03:21 PM   #6
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Re: Catalina Trivia: 8/24/18

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Originally Posted by Bob Ballew View Post
as of 8/24, the great white was still hanging around the 14 mile bank off Newport
For the non believers out there

8/23
14 Mile Bank
Great white shark hanging out on a kelp paddy

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Old 09-03-2018, 01:37 PM   #7
Bob Ballew
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Re: Catalina Trivia: 8/24/18

Decker on BD is the man! He shares a lot of good info and unlike some of our ego driven elitist divers, is willing to give out details that will help (or, at least inspire) others to go out and give it a shot... I learn something new everyday from the fisherguys!!
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