LONG-RANGE YELLOWFIN: The great action has continued for the long-range fleet out of San Diego, fishing the big yellowfin tuna grounds off the tip of Baja California on 18- to 22-day trips. “Slow” days are when they only catch 20 to 30 fish from 70 to 250 pounds. Good days are 45 to 70 fish in that size class. Red Rooster III out of H&M Landing reported in early this week with three huge yellowfin at 277, 285 and 298 pounds, along with several other fish in the 250-pound range. This has been a pretty typical trip.

MEXICO VISA RULES: The new Mexican visa requirements for U.S. anglers boating into Mexico waters have added a $35 cost per angler on three-quarter-day and one-day trips to Los Coronados islands and other nearby fishing spots. This has effectively put the three-quarter-day San Diego fleet out of business. Nothing in the near future looks to help change the situation.

MEXICAN ROCKFISH: That $35 fee is a little easier to swallow on the 1.5- to 2.5-day trips into Mexican waters to fish for rockfish while the season is closed on this side of the border. The action has been exceptional on 4- to 6-pound red rockfish, whitefish and sheephead, although fewer lings were in the bag this past week. Boats reporting full limits of rockfish in recent days included Indian out of H&M Landing on a 2.5-day trip, Legend out of Seaforth Sportfish, Dominator out of Point Loma, and Fortune out of Fisherman’s Landing.

SAN DIEGO LOBSTER: The lobster action is still excellent for the skippers who are running these evening trips, with a one-bug-per-angler average on most nights. Some evenings, the action is even better. On Jan. 30, Jig Strike out of H&M Landing was out with nine anglers who returned with 22 lobsters, 11 spider crabs and eight rock crabs.

NEARSHORE ACTION UPDATE: The bite has been surprisingly good for the half- and three-quarter-day local fleet, fishing nearshore waters from San Diego to Santa Monica Bay. There has been a modest pick on halibut along the sandy beaches, with some bigger fish to 20-plus pounds showing, but this bite has been tough. Calico and sand bass have been providing better action, and perch and sculpin are adding to the action. Just a couple of examples of this bite would the Jan. 30 New Seaforth catch for 12 anglers: 37 sand bass, five calicos, five perch and two sculpin. Also on Jan. 30, Victory out of Pierpoint Landing was out with nine anglers, who caught 43 perch, 38 calicos, 14 sand bass and three sculpin. San Pedro Special out of 22nd Street Landing was out Jan. 30 with 12 anglers on a half-day trip, and they caught 41 sand bass and 22 sculpin. A few boats are also running sand dab trips and loading up on these tasty bottomfish. Sea Angler out of 22nd Street was out with 11 anglers Jan. 30 and returned with 3,300 or so sand dabs. That’s 300 of these tasty hand-sized fish for each angler.

ISLANDS UPDATE: There has been light fishing pressure at both San Clemente and Catalina islands, but both have some bites worth noting and watching. At San Clemente Island, a few anglers are hammering the calicos by fishing right in the kelp and getting a decent number of 4- to 8-pound fish. There are yellowtail breezing at San Clemente Island, but no action in the past week. At Catalina, there is a large volume of squid on the backside of the island, and white seabass are showing up on this bait very inconsistently. Private boaters are getting a few halibut and the odd seabass on squid -- and the spots have been uncrowded.

INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA is hosting instructional charters throughout the year, offering advice to beginning or veteran anglers and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different saltwater species. The next trip is set for March 25 -- a two-day trip aboard Big Game 90 out of Long Beach Marina Sportfishing. This is a special white seabass trip, and the cost is $199. For information on upcoming 976-TUNA instructional charters, call (562) 352-0012 or go to 976-TUNA.com.

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