Good Wintertime Fishing Continues

Two Southern California halibut derbies are in full swing, with anglers catching flatfish weighing more than 20 pounds.

The Dana Wharf Halibut Derby has Danny Stevenson in first place with a 39.3-pound flatfish. Paul Pappas decked a 26.5-pound flatfish for second place, while Scott Buchart held on to third with a 25.8-pound halibut.

The Pot Of Gold Halibut Derby out of Long Beach Sportfishing has also seen some nice halibut on most days. John Tran leads after the first week with a 26.45-pound halibut, while Tom Pae is in second with a 25.05-pound fish. In third, Darryl Singleton has a 7-pound halibut.

Steve Bermudes, who was on board the Native Sun on Friday out of Long Beach Sportfishing, said all the big halibut came on large live sardines.

“That was the hot bait,” said Bermudes. Other anglers have had great success fishing with live squid.

Steve Kohatsu from Pomona said he has been catching lots halibut with plastic lures while surf fishing off Marina del Rey.

In addition to halibut, private boaters continue to do well on sculpin, sand bass and hoop net lobster.

Orange County catches

The three-quarter-day boat Clemente out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing had a couple of days recently where anglers limited out on sand bass. Sand bass weighing up to 7 pounds have been biting on live and fresh dead squid pinned on a 1-ounce leadhead. Sand bass were also taken in decent numbers off Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, Long Beach and in the Santa Monica Bay.

There have also been a few white sea bass caught recently off Newport and Huntington beaches. Capt. Ricky Perez from the Black Pearl in Long Beach reported the sea bass, which are members of the croaker family, were caught in areas where there are copious amounts of squid.

“I have heard of some croaker [weighing up] to 55 pounds,” said Perez.

Perez took a small skiff out on Thursday and fished off San Pedro, catching limits of sand bass, along with some fat sculpin and cabezon.

Quick bites 

• The Tradition out of has been limiting out on sculpin as well as catching some nice sand bass. You can visit the Tradition on Facebook and print a coupon for free unlimited coffee all day long, as well as a coupon for $5 off your galley bill with a minimum $8 purchase.

• Clark McNulty from Palos Verdes was filming his brother Kirk diving the Hermosa Beach artificial reef when his brother grabbed . The tasty crustacean was too big for the bag they had so they quickly located a larger bag to accommodate the big bug.

• The Westerly out of Long Beach Sportfishing is in a very generous mood for those who want to book a charter this year. Book a local trip for up to 28 anglers for only $950, or an overnight Catalina Island trip for up to 18 anglers for $1,795. The regular prices are $1,200 and $2,200, respectively. You must book before March 1. Call 714-904-5389 or email WesterlySportfishing@gmail.com.