Where have all the Gamefish Gone?

Date:  May 28 to 30,2026

Anglers:  Jeff Chuang, Steve Chuang, Cathy Needleman, Randy Sharon, Jim Carlisle and Jan Howard

Boat and Crew:  Rail Time owned and operated by Gary Adams with Eric as his second and deckhand

Trip:  Two days fishing Catalina and San Clemente Island

Catch:  2 yellowtail, 18 calico bass plus many released fish including shovelnose shark, sheepshead, bat ray, whitefish, baby white seabass, black seabass, leopard shark, sand bass, yellowfin croaker, barracuda, blue perch, bonito and flounder

Trip Details:  Prior to our Thursday night departure, we had been advised by Gary to prepare for both island fishing and offshore bluefin tuna chasing.  When we arrived at the landing Gary informed us that the tuna had opted out of his plan (with the help of windy seas) and departed the area.  It was going to be island fishing only so we set up our seabass dropper loop rigs and 25# yellowtail/calico bass outfits.

First stop, as usual, was the bait barge where we picked up some big, 7-day cured sardines.  These sardines were some of the best I’ve ever seen.  Our next stop was Catalina to search for squid.  I slept through those efforts.  In the morning, I learned those efforts provided a tank full of sqid (mostly small “gumdrop squid Gary named them.) 

Throughout that day and the next, we fished many spots around Catalina moving to San Clemente Island and back to Catalina searching for seabass and yellowtail.  We found a big variety of smaller fish but only two yellowtail (including a 30 pounder which Gary showed who was boss), a smaller yellowtail caught by Jeff and 18 calico bass caught by everyone.

Gary and Eric were their usual cheerful and professional selves, making the trip a success even without big gamefish.  Gary commented that the islands were a bit wonky.  Perhaps it’s the impending Super El Nino being predicted. Perhaps the fish moved north to the Channel Islands or just to deeper water, who knows.

We had a great time despite the wonky islands.  We still enjoyed telling fishing stories, eating pizza, ribs, chicken, sandwiches, cookies and snack foods and just being together on the water.

Thanks to everyone for their participation and especially our Chartermaster Jeff and our Captain and crew – Gary and Eric.