Catalina (near two harbors)... worth going?

Susp3nc3 · Aug-22-2009, 04:12 PM

I have the opportunity to go stay at Catalina (Howlands landing which is just north of two harbors) on a large sailboat for a couple days starting thursday. I went last year and had one hell of a time trying to find fish. Didn't catch anything worth mentioning. I would have access to a 14' RIB and can bring extra gas (ran out last time and a BD'er was nice enough to tow me to two harbors). Can't really go all the way down to Avalon. Is there any area around two harbors worth fishing right now? Or better off staying home? Any good places to catch bait? Bait of choice? Lure of choice? any mobile / small bait tanks anyone recommends? any need for a bigger rig than a avet mxl or sx with 20-30 lb?
Any chance at halibut, lings or vermilion out there? I would be targeting Yellowtail's but anything would be nice. I am from SF until recently so i need to start my socal education.

Worth trolling from LA harbor to Catalina? Tried last year with 4 rods off the sailboat going like 7-8 knots with a spreader bar, daisy chain, large rapala's, clones, and tons of stuff for nada. Figure if you are going that slow you might as well try. Lots of seaweed though...

popa_pescarul · Aug-22-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susp3nc3

4 rods off the sailboat

Ah, there's your problem!

Susp3nc3 · Aug-22-2009, 10:23 PM

i dont like sailboats either...I just sold my 25' farallon up north.

lockstar · Aug-25-2009, 03:18 PM

might pick off some bonita

ISLAND BOUND · Aug-25-2009, 06:26 PM

Alot of questions, but 2 harbors is one of the best fishing areas at the island. Fish the kelplines for calicos on berkley gulps or get some frozen or live squid and fish 80 -120 feet for yellows on a dropper loop. Bring a chum bucket and make your own bait ( macks,smelt ,dines) or what I would do is go into 2 harbors talk to some locals buy them some cocktails then pick their brains.

jeffdalton · Aug-25-2009, 09:48 PM

Snag some greenbacks and slow troll outside the kelp lines for yellows and wsb. Good luck!

Susp3nc3 · Aug-26-2009, 03:07 PM

thanks for the tips...ill be out there sunday-tuesday. do you slow troll a fly lined greenback? ill try a lot of crap...try to make a lot of bait. macks are usually around in big numbers.

PaDDy Killer' · Aug-26-2009, 04:06 PM

Slow troll some large smelt outside the kelp line with a big hook 5/0 or so will do for the Yellowtail. Bring some frozen squid too. Troll some feathers or a rapala accross the channel. Good luck non the less.

marlyn · Aug-26-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffdalton

Snag some greenbacks and slow troll outside the kelp lines for yellows and wsb. Good luck!

jeffdalton · Aug-26-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susp3nc3

thanks for the tips...ill be out there sunday-tuesday. do you slow troll a fly lined greenback? ill try a lot of crap...try to make a lot of bait. macks are usually around in big numbers.

You can slow troll a fly lined greenback or you can add a torpedo sinker to take the bait down a bit. Good luck!