Went on a charter yesterday (8-9-03) on the Ellie M out of Captain Hooks Sportfishing. Up till then things had been tough for the local fleet due to cold water. Friday the Ellie M found some Sandbass and got limits for 10 anglers.

We went out with 20 anglers. Skipper went to the area where several boats were anchored up. He looked around for a bit and left. We went a few miles away and started looking again. He set up on a good wad of fish. He advised us that they were active and moving from various depths. The crew was chumming chunks of sardines.

After about 15 minutes we hooked two fish. One got off on a plastic. I got bit on 12 pound. I thought I had a ray. Then we saw free swimming Seabass eating everything. Chum, baits, plastics, jigs. It went off for about two hours. When it was done we had limits of Seabass for evryone. The fish were mostly 15-20 pound fish. JP was close to 30. I have never seen Seabass go off on anchovies before. Skipper told me that when they do get going on anchovies they really get stupid. I dont know how many we got to watch eat the Tady 45 surface irons, but that was awesome.

we ended the morning with wide open Sandbass fishing. These Ventura area Sandbass are a better grade than the Hunt. flats area. This year and last I cant believe the average size of these fish. They also bit everything. The fleet got mostly limits on the Sandbass. get out there while it is good. Maybe those Sandbass will turn into Seabass, you never know!