Sports

Wednesday, Jul. 01, 2009

Fishing report: Atascadero angler lands big halibut on trip to San Simeon Point

Sean Bernardo bags a 42-pound halibut on trip with Central Coast Sportfishing

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Sean Bernardo expected to fulfill the duties of a deckhand aboard the Rita G from Central Coast Sportfishing in Morro Bay on Friday.

But, Chartermaster Dan Mansir of Encore Glass invited him to join the fun that 16 anglers onboard were having. The result: “I had the catch of a lifetime,” Bernardo, a 40-year-old Atascadero service technician said of the fishing in 100 feet of water at San Simeon Point.

“At first I thought it was a white belly that had gone into the rocks,” Bernardo said. “Then I figured I was hung up on the bottom. I whipped my line to get it free but when slack was recovered, I felt movement. It took 10 to 15 minutes to get it off the ocean floor. After reeling it up about 40 feet, my quarry went back down.

“What I retrieved was the catch of a lifetime — a 42-pound halibut.”

It measured 43 inches long. Everyone aboard went home with halibut steak. The captain estimated there was 25 to 30 pounds of meat.

Fishing title

Catching five bass one after another in a 10-minute span enabled John Phillips of Santa Margarita and partner Brad Austin of San Miguel to improve their limit by six pounds and capture their second tourney title at Lopez Lake. Their winning margin in the sixth Tri Valley contest of the year was 4.41 pounds.

The flurry of catching came on a flat in the Lopez Arm of the lake with less than two hours remaining in the competition.

“John caught four bass during the spree and I got one. It was almost back to back catches,” Austin said. “We won just like we did back in March — throwing swimbaits.”

The winners had a 27.42-pound six-fish team limit to earn $930. The duo caught 20 keepers and had an estimated 50 short bites. The duo moved into second place in the standings, up a notch, but 26 points behind the father-and-son team of Jay and Matt Short from Templeton.

Dana Chatterly and son Clayton from Lompoc caught the big fish shortly after it had dined on a trout that was sticking out of the 6.37-pound fish’s mouth. It paid $260.

Tri Valley Top 10 (all 6-fish limits), Weight, Winnings — 1. John Phillips, Santa Margarita, Brad Austin, San Miguel, 27.42 pounds, $930; 2. Don Rose, Greg Glass, Paso Robles, 23.10 pounds, $350; 3. Jay & Matt Short, Templeton, 22.80 pounds, $280; 4. Brad Sheppard, Robert Bruggeman, 22.61 pounds, $150; 5. Jeff Rose, Oceano, Craig Rose, Bakersfield, 22.50 pounds, $139; 6. Pat Fadeley, Santa Margarita, Kevin Rayner, Templeton, 20.29 pounds, $75; 7. Damon Meeks, Atascadero, Erik Zillig, Cambria, 19.72 pounds; 8. Dana & Clayton Chatterly, Lompoc, 18.58 pounds; 9. Mark Scribner & Rob Murrin, 18.10 pounds; 10. Frank Fernandes, Mark Weiting, Santa Maria, 17.22 pounds 1st Big Fish, 6.37 pounds, Chatterly & Chatterly, $260; 2nd Big Fish, 6.03 pounds, Ralph Sawdey, Shandon, & Sam Sawdey, Paso Robles, $115.

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 Virg’s Landing

One of the unique opportunities during the end-of the-month tournament Sunday was the chance to compete 1-on-1 against tournament sponsor Stefan Worth, owner of Kustom Kraft. The only one of 20 anglers aboard to best Worth was Dick Van Dam of Tipton. His catch of a 10-pound lingcod outdid the sponsor.

More than $2,000 in cash and prizes were given away.

Kevin Mendoza of Fresno placed first with a 12-pound, 5-ounce lingcod worth $500, a rod and reel and a fishing trip. Bill Bixman of Tollhouse placed second with an 11-8 lingcod for $270 and a free fishing trip. Third place went to Ben Hernandez of Orcutt with an 11-pound lingcod for $110 and a free fishing trip.

Catching a 7-8 red earned Gus Salciel of Bakersfield $180. Trevor Pasley of Morro Bay took big-bass honors with a 2-8 fish that paid $170. Hernandez and Bixby were blind bogey winners of $160 each.

Anglers caught 17 lings and limits of red rockcod. The next 12-hour tournament is scheduled for July 26.

Jackpot winners last week included Tim Jaumez, Creston, 10-pound ling, Tabby Smith, Morro Bay, 9-pound red, Joe Goetz, Fresno, 8-0 ling, Daniel Wilson, Shandon, 7-pound copper, Kendrick Young, Clovis, Dick Van Dam, Tipton, both 7-pound reds, Norman Cook, Woodland Hills, 6-0 Red, Jack Delgone, Orange County, 6-0 copper.

For reservations and trip schedules, call 772-1222.

 Free dishing day

Saturday has been designated as a free fishing day for Californians. It’s an excellent opportunity to try the sport without having to buy a fishing license.

All regulations such as bag and size limits and gear restrictions apply. The second free fishing day is scheduled for Sept. 7.

 Fourth of July Fireworks

View Fourth of July Fireworks from a front-row seat aboard a Patriot Sportfishing boat positioned off the Pismo Beach Pier or on a Virg’s vessel positioned off the Cayucos Pier.

Patriot reservations are required. Call 595-7200. Be at the landing by 6:30. Boats leave at 7:30 p.m. Fares are $35 for adults $15 for children 12 and under. Snacks and drinks are available.

Passengers should be at Virg’s Embarcadero site by 6:30. Boats depart at 7:30. Adult tickets are $35, tickets for children 15 and under are $25. Call 772-1222 for reservations. Beverages and hot dogs will be available.

 Kids At Sea

Space is available for the July 14 and 21 open boat sponsored Kids at Sea fishing trips aboard the Rita G out of Central Coast Sportfishing in Morro Bay. These trips are free and available to children 9 to 15 years old. Parents should call captain Michele Leary at 704-2084 to make reservations. Leave your phone number for a return call. Both trips are from 8 a.m. to noon.

All necessary equipment will be furnished free.

 Lopez Lake

While pre-fishing June 21 for the Tri Valley bass tournament, Brad Austin of San Miguel and John Phillips of Santa Margarita saw a bear cub estimated to weigh 75 pounds.

It was onshore directly across from the marina. It was one day after a bear plunged into the lake and swam toward three entrants in two boats in a Bass Ambushers tournament.

Marina manager Jerry Weatherly said the new F dock should be in place by the weekend. Bob Gervagio caught a 9-pound, 5-ounce largemouth on a nightcrawlers in the Lopez Arm. Last weekend, anglers cleaned out the marina’s supply of red and mealworms plus nightcrawlers.

 Patriot Sportfishing

Patriot patrons can take a child 12 and under for free fishing on Wednesdays with the purchase of an adult ticket. Rental equipment is not included.

Since the May 1 opening of rockcod season, 46 anglers have received a free pass on any rockcod trip for catching and releasing alive lingcod weighing 10 or more pounds.

Call 595-7200 for reservations and more information.

Jackpot winners last week were David Glass, Lompoc, 14-2 ling, Neal Jerome, San Luis Obispo, 11-3 ling, Sean McCombs, Taft, 10-8 ling, Matt Miller, Paso Robles, 10-pound ling, Jerry Depew. Lompoc, 8-5 ling, Scot Dowdy, Pismo Beach, Luis Torres, Corcoran, both 6-5 lings, Keith Bo, Santa Maria, 6-0-pound ling, James King, Lompoc, 4-pound vermillion, Tom Becker, Santa Maria, Rachel McDonald, Van Nuys, both 3-pound vermillion.

Call 595-7200 for reservations and more information.

Central Coast Sportfishing, Morro Bay

Last week’s jackpot winners were Sean Bernardo, Atascadero, 42-pound halibut, Joby Alloway, Santa Maria, 7-pound red, Wendy Hamlon, San Diego, 4-pounded, Trevor Stubbs, Utah, 3-pound red.

Port San Luis Boatyard

Nipomo’s Gary Vargas took Whopper-of-the-Week honors with a June 22 catch of an 18-1 lingcod.

Anglers aboard 121 launched boats included 80 lings and 38 halibut in their catch. Three-quarter to full limits were logged three days last week. Nacimiento Lake Six Heritage Ranch residents, all in their 70s and known as “Bunky & The Boys,” caught limits of spotted bass averaging 1 1/2 to 2 pounds Wednesday. Otherwise, Dave Rymal reports, fishing is slow at the lake.

 Santa Margarita Lake

Steve Goldman and Christine Hutchison of Santa Margarita caught 15 crappie Sunday. They were fishing The Narrows with minnow imitation lures. On June 24, while fishing casually, Brad Austin and John Phillips saw a bear they estimated to weigh 300 or more pounds.

 Whale Rock Reservoir

No fish were caught by the eight anglers who tried last week. The reservoir is open for fishing Wednesdays through Sundays.