Blogs
Mon, 01/07/2013 - 12:23
By: Ronnie Kovach & Sergio
In freshwater fishing circles, it is a common belief that the bluegill, a small panfish, fights more pound for pound than any other lake or stream species. In southern California’s bays and harbors, the feisty spotted bay bass is the inshore counterpart to the freshwater bluegill.
Unlike the calico and the sand bass that reach double-digit weights, “spotties” rarely are caught weighing much more than four pounds. Three pounders are considered trophy fish. The spotted bass does have a vivacious appetite however. They will feed on all fin baits ranging from anchovies and sardines to smelt and grunion. Occasionally they are also caught on live ghost shrimp or fresh bay mussels.
But one thing is for certain: “spots” will eagerly attack an array of artificial lures fished on...
Tue, 11/06/2012 - 13:18
By: Ronnie Kovach & Sergio
Nightfishing from a float-tube is something we rarely see here in southern California, but if you dare to try it, you may find some of the most spectacular angling anywhere in the golden state.
To experience it, grab your float tube, waders and fins and head to Newport Harbor. A lot of the inshore coastal species can be found in Newport Harbor in the evening. Spotted bay, sand and calico bass are prime targets for tubers fishing soft-plastic lures. There's also chance for halibut, spotfin and yellowfin croaker, big bat rays and maybe even shark.
You need to have both hands free when tubing Newport Bay. There are lots of docks, pilings, moorings and other obstructions, and you won't want to be holding a flashlight in one hand while wrestling with unhooking your lure from a...
Mon, 10/15/2012 - 13:15
By: Ronnie Kovach & Sergio
The West Coast is experiencing arguably the best offshore fishing it's had in many years. Both private boaters and sportfishers have been reporting stellar catches all through late summer and early fall. Don't be surprised if these offshore species hang around all the way through late November.
I've conducted over 500 Owner Hooks Fishing Schools. Interestingly, my best all-time trips all occurred in mid-to late-October with over a 500-fish "stop" for a single day on each of these charters. I also had another huge tuna trip on a party boat on Thanksgiving weekend one year when we were heading into Baja waters to fish rockfish.
This may be one of those extended seasons. As I write this blog, party boat skippers are reporting bonanza catches between 70 and 110 miles...
Fri, 10/05/2012 - 12:22
By: Ronnie Kovach & Sergio
Throughout the country and especially in the West, early fall often signals the start of a second, "urban" trout-fishing season. This is serious aquaculture at its best. Lowland-lake operators contract with hatcheries to purchase major tonnage of a variety of trout species to stock in these metropolitan reservoirs. Rainbows, Alpers, lighting, brown, brookies and even inland farm–raised steelhead are planted in great numbers in these low-elevation lakes.
Similar to alpine trout, these fish often need to be finessed by the savvy angler. To begin with, the most important thing is to use very light leader material. I recommend 2-pound test fluorocarbon. If you're going to soak baits – usually by floating them above the bottom – you'll need this gossamer leader to fool these fish....
Thu, 09/20/2012 - 13:43
By: Ronnie Kovach & Sergio
With the expansion of the internet, information – both good and bad – is more readily available than ever. But as a veteran outdoor writer, author, radio and television host and lecturer, I encourage you to use common sense and some of your own filters when you to tap into the online fishing-info network.
To begin with, let's face it, there are many men, and a sprinkling of women, who simply are never satisfied. For them, it's typically all about how many fish they killed and not the experience of getting outdoors. They'll often say, "I am about the catchin', not the fishin'." Much of their angling happiness is thus predicated on the kill. Frequently, you'll encounter this type of fisherman posting his self-proclaimed "expert opinion" on the website chat rooms or bulletin boards...
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 12:38
By: Ronnie Kovach & Sergio
This is the time of year when the barracuda start migrating into our Southern California inshore waters. From Oxnard to San Diego, once the fish affectionately know as "slime" move in, there's a frenzy for anglers to board local 1/2- and 3/4-day party boats.
Barries are excellent fighters on light tackle fishing live bait. Last season, for the first time in decades, party-boat crews had their passengers fly-line live sardines and anchovies using short wire leaders for the toothy 'cuda. I hadn't seen these leaders in decades. But sure enough a lot of limits occurred on my own Owner Hooks Fishing Schools Charters using the wire leaders.
I'll match these near bite-proof leaders with 12- to 20-pound monofilament line and a "hot" live bait. Occasionally, I'll add a very small...
about the author
Ronnie Kovach & Sergio
Outdoor personality, radio host
Huntington Beach, California
Ronnie Kovach is one of the foremost outdoor personalities in the nation – a self-made entrepreneur and independent businessman who's also a best-selling author of five books, a longtime radio host on Angels Baseball Radio Network and TV host on FOX Sports West.
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