Huge yellowtail grab spotlight at Cortes Bank

Philip Friedman, founder of 976-TUNA and a regular contributor to Outposts, shares news about the big yellowtail score for anglers aboard the Freedom, which is enjoying a banner year for big fish. Here is Philip's report:

Rain and cooler temperatures frightened off half of the 28 anglers who had reservations on the Freedom Saturday night.

But Capt. Tom Lee said, "Fishing has been way too good to cancel."

The 14 who made the overnight trip to Cortes Bank on Sunday landed 47 yellowtail. The largest was a 55-pounder caught by Stewart Suenaga.

The yellowtail have all been hooked deep. A dropper-loop rig with a 4-ounce torpedo sinker has been best, but yo-yoing scrambled egg-pattern lures also works.

Also at Cortes there was solid action on 8- to 10-pound bonito, lots of sheephead, whitefish and other bottom grabbers. "This could go on until Christmas," said Lee.

(For an audio report from Lee at the Cortes Bank, click here.)

The Freedom's next Cortes Bank trip departs Saturday night from 22nd St. Landing in San Pedro.

Out of San Diego, the Condor  encountered warm water and skipper Rick Podolack even predicted another sizable showing of yellowfin tuna.

The Condor returned to Fisherman's Landing this morning with two 30-pound yellowfin, 65 albacore, 44 yellowtail, seven bluefin tuna and two dorado.

"Pretty incredible fishing for November," said Podolack.

Photos: Stewart Svenaja (top photo, left) poses alongside Capt. Tom Lee with 55-pound yellowtail, while three happy anglers display slightly smaller catches. Credit: Freedom Sportfishing

Comments

[chuck schmitz]

hey phil,my name is chuck, i have been sportfishing since1978 up and down the coast,i have had 3 saltwater boats had to sell them due to a health matter.but started fishing party boats,been on lots of boats but the thruth of the matter is that i have never been on a boat were the crew,captwho is also the owner, these guys realy bust there buts to try,help,what ever you need to make your trip the best it can be.i have never seen a caption work so hard from driveing,to getting on the bait tankand chumming for hours, non stop always in a great mood,jumps on the rent rods instantly to help cast guide and land there fish never yelling or screaming very classy.the crew is always ready to help, and never acts like they are the only ones that know whats going on,no attitudes and thats nice.this boat is very clean! the customers that i have spoken to seem to feel the same way. my choice for a excelent trip every time is the FREEDOM!!!! tommy and darleen lee what a way to run a buisness great job and keep up the good work.

[Stewart Suenaga]

You misspelled my last name it Suenaga. Thank You , Stewart Suenaga