This time of the year and on into the spring are fabulous times to catch bull bass at San Clemente Island at spot like hole in the wall, gold bluff, eel point, and so on. I remember fishing these spots in late winter for limits of big bass (released). The hot setup in my opinion is a half once to once leadhead with a fresh dead squid. The fresh dead stays on the hook better and allows the perch to not rip off your squid. The secret to landing these bass in the thick kelp is to fish no drag, 30 lb test and strait grind them in. Calico bass are the fish that requires the most talent to catch in my opinion, that's why they're my favorite!