Bay Area Fishermen Report Huge Catches Ahead Of Forecasted El Nino
SAUSALITO (KPIX 5) – Despite the drought, Bay Area fishermen said they're enjoying some of their best hauls in years. An approaching El Nino is likely sending fish surging toward our shores.
Just off the Pacific Ocean, the Z Summer Camp kids are back from a day of fishing. "They're pretty good tasting," said Koavan Hoven, who caught a salmon.
Ethan Pham landed the biggest catch of the day. "Twenty four pounds," Pham said.
They're not the only ones. Fishing boats from all across the Bay Area are reporting full limit catches. It is believed that warmer water from the approaching El Nino is attracting huge amounts of anchovies and other bait fish. In turn, this attracts salmon, rock cod and ling.
"This year, it's been off the charts," said Keith Fraser of the Loch Lomond Bait Shop. Frasier said even striped bass is bountiful and his live bait business is booming.
"So many more than there has been in past years. It's incredible," Frasier said.
With fishing what it is, what's good today, may not be good tomorrow. But with the settling in of the warm El Nino currents, it is expected to be a pretty good fishing season for the rest of the summer.