TOP STORY Assistance Tow Providers Say Harbor Patrol May Be Too Helpful Thursday, December 27, 2007 By Kristie Kang NEWPORT BEACH - Representatives from Sea Tow and Vessel Assist membership towing companies came together in a Dec. 5 meeting to discuss their concerns with the Orange County Sheriff's Harbor Patrol that boaters might be getting "free tows" in cases that are not emergencies. Key representatives who attended this meeting included Capt. Deana Bergquist, harbormaster in Newport Beach for the Orange County Sheriff's Harbor Patrol; Rob Butler of Vessel Assist San Diego and a board member of C-PORT; Dave La Montagne, CEO and founder of Vessel Assist; Rick Francis, deputy chief of staff for Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach; Chris McCarthy, president of Sea Tow Newport/LA; and other representatives from Sea Tow Southern California. FULL STORY... yachtphotography.com Non-emergency Assistance - Officials from Vessel Assist, the Orange County Sheriff's Harbor Patrol and Sea Tow met recently to discuss responses to non-rescue tows. More discussions are scheduled for early 2008.

NEWS

Dana Point Harbor Receives State's OK for Maintenance Dredging 12/27/2007 By Ambrosia Sarabia DANA POINT - The Dana Point Harbor Department received approval from the California Coastal Commission to move forward with maintenance dredging in the harbor, at the commission's Dec. 12 meeting. The move will allow removal of sand and silt that has accumulated, causing significant shoaling and affecting navigation within the harbor. The commission approved the harbor's Notice of Intent to issue a permit allowing the Dana Point Harbor Department to begin the project, which will place clean dredged sand on Baby Beach and Capistrano Beach. FULL STORY... Small Craft Harbor Commission Finishes Letter to Supervisors 12/27/2007 By Ambrosia Sarabia MARINA DEL REY - After months of offering topics of local boaters' concerns for inclusion in a letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the public had a last chance to offer input when the communication was finalized during a Los Angeles County Small Craft Harbor Commission meeting Dec. 12. Commissioners and the public discussed the letter for more than an hour, attempting to add and remove items from the three-page document. "We are going to get a letter to the board," said Commission Chairman Harley Searcy. "They need to know that people are upset." FULL STORY... Irvine Company Gives Waterfront Site to City 12/27/2007 By Ambrosia Sarabia NEWPORT BEACH - The Newport Beach City Council unanimously approved a development agreement with the Irvine Company at its Dec. 18 meeting - and the city will acquire 4 acres of waterfront land on East Coast Highway that provides access to the lower bay. The area, known as the Lower Castaways, has excited city officials, because the site holds potential for a long list of possible developments - ranging from launch ramps and boating centers to an expansive waterfront park. FULL STORY... NEWS HEADLINES Coastkeeper to Re-assess Pumpout Stations in 2008 San Diego Embarcadero Visionary Plan Revealed San Diego Boat Show-goers to 'Test-Drive' Crocs Brad Poulos Joins UK Sails Ventura County Approves Sale of Anacapa Marine Services MORE NEWS...

FISHRAP

Long-Rangers Sticking Cow Tuna 12/26/2007 By Bill Roecker Back in 2000, the style of long-range tuna fishing took a radical turn. With the closure of the Revillagigedos Islands to close-by, anchored-style fishing, skippers and crews had to venture into open, deep water to fish. In the summer, this style of fishing is called "run and gun," because the boat pursues tuna until they bite or sound. The stops last only as long as fish are nearby and/or biting. Over the seasons since, many excellent catches have been made close to southern Baja, as well as off the islands with this method. The tuna may be spotted under bird schools, with porpoise herds, or appear only on the boat's sonar at first. What all this means to anglers is that the time, the "window of opportunity" for hooking big tuna, is limited. You've got to be ready to get a fresh bait into the water quickly when the tuna show up, and put it as close to the school as you can. READ MORE... Trout, Bass Action Hot at Irvine Lake 12/26/2007 By Steve Carson The Irvine Lake Kids Lagoon has been stocked with a "bonus shot" of brown trout and brook trout, as part of the Department of Fish and Game's "Grand Slam" awards program. The awards are in conjunction with the department's "Passport" activities. This will present a great opportunity for kids age 12 and younger to qualify for a "Coldwater Grand Slam", with an angler catching three different species of trout. Additionally, plenty of brown trout and brook trout are also present in the main lake, so that adults can have a shot at a Grand Slam as well. All rules and entry forms for the program are available at the Irvine Lake Pro Shop. READ MORE... South of the Border - Fishing Still Good, But Yellowfin Slow at the Gordo Banks 12/26/2007 By Tom Gatch Eric Bricston of Gordo Banks Pangas reported light crowds of tourists with cooler than usual weather, mostly clear skies and high temperatures that are barely reaching the mid 70s. The north winds have been becoming more troublesome, picking up by mid-morning to anywhere from 8 to 20 miles per hour, and has sent most of the tropical gamefish species on their annual migration further south. Said Bricston, "Starting last Monday, anglers encountered a whole different scenario than in previous weeks when they were catching easy limits of yellowfin tuna. The live sardinas have remained plentiful, but getting the tuna to come up and feed in the areas of Iman, Punta Gorda and Palmilla where they had been so abundant has been nearly impossible. FULL STORY... FISHRAP HEADLINES San Diego Report - Bottomfishing Good, While Yellowtail Tease Off La Jolla Editorial - Looking Ahead Santa Barbara/Ventura Report - Look to Channel Islands for a Mixed-Bag Bite Top Stick Tour Gears Up for '08 SD Anglers' Bay Tournament Right Around the Corner MORE FISHRAP...

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