Hurricane Norbert to affect fishing?

In what seems a transitional period on the saltwater fishing scene, Outposts has asked 976-TUNA founder Philip Friedman for a weekend synopsis. It follows:

Weather dominates the sportfishing story today. To the north, we have our first major winter storm generating wind gusts to 50 knots and offshore seas to 24 feet. The winds are expected to arrive locally tonight.

To the south, Hurricane Norbert continues to move up the Baja California peninsula, sending San Diego long-range boats scurrying from excellent fishing at Alijos Rocks.

The Polaris Supreme reported consistent yellowfin tuna and dorado action at Aliijos Rocks yesterday. Today the Polaris Supreme crew's main concern was to head north and out of the path of Norbert.

The two weather systems present an interesting scenario. Will the winds and high seas from the northern storm reduce water temps and end our offshore tuna bite, or will the push of warm water from Norbert prolong our season even further?

The Big Game 90 reported excellent fishing returning from Guadalupe Island off Baja California this morning. Its passengers caught yellowtail, dorado, yellowfin tuna, albacore and marlin. "This is what every fall trip should be like," reported Big Game 90 skipper Mike Jewitt. "It will be interesting to see if Norbert flushes even more fish our way."

Bongos III anglers caught six yellowfin tuna on a trip out of Newport Beach on Thursday. "There are still plenty of yellowfin tuna here," said skipper Joe Berrian. "We just have to make it through this blow."

Maybe the safest bet for this weekend is a local half-day trip. Anglers aboard the Southern Cal out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach, experienced wide-open bonito fishing this morning, only a half-mile from Long Beach Harbor.

Photo: Dennis Saylors poses with a 114-pound yellowfin caught aboard the Independence off Baja California. Some long-range boats on Friday had to leave productive fishing grounds because of Hurricane Norbert. Credit: Bill Roecker/Fishingvideos.com