The hot news from up north, Avila and Morro Bay is the flattie bite. From just south of PSL off the refinery there have been 80 plus fish days for the private fleet launching from the Port with lots of fish 20-30 and some bigger along with a good scattering of W seabass including a 38 pounder last Wed. All the hot spots are producing closer to the Port and anywhere with sand seems to hold shorts. Tons of bait everywhere and the Mello Boy is selling some very good chovs. Check it out, small boats, kayaks, and tubers can get 'em, too, since we have caught fish in less than 10 feet. The holiday weekend saw tons of boats launched from the hoist so the lines are long, but shorten dramatically during the week.

Pete-
Im moving back up to S.L.O. on Friday from San Diego. It's tough to leave fishing this good there but it sounds like things arent too bad up there. Unfortunately I dont have a boat or a Kayack, but I do have a float tube. Is it possible to capitalize on this halibut bite in a tube. I never launched in the ocean up there but Im movin up Friday for my first summer in S.L.O. Do you have any advice so I can Catch n release some buts.
Thanks,
Garrett

I HAVE FISHED MY FLOAT TUBE IN THE AVILA BAY AREA. THERE IS LIVE BAIT AVAILABLE AT A SMALL RECIEVER NEXT TO THE INSIDE PEIR. THE TUBE CAN BE LAUNCHED ANYWHERE NEAR THE PEIR. I HAVE HAD BETTER LUCK FISHING NEAR THE MAIN PEIR IN AVILA BEACH, THIS IS ABOUT A FIVE MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE INSIDE PEIR. THE TUBE CAN BE LAUNCHED FROM THE BEACH WITH NO PROBLEM. YOU CAN ALSO FISH THE GROVER BEACH AREA IN SOME PLACES, AND AROUND THE PISMO PEIR. HALIBUT FISHING NEAR THE PEIRS IN AVILA IS PRETTY GOOD IN THE SUMMER, WITH OCCASIONAL WHITE SEABASS CAUGHT AS WELL.

Calico,
If you remember the layout in Port San Luis, there are three piers, the third or n.most, named Harford Pier, is where the bait reciever is located. It is an easy launch from the rip-rap along side the pier or from the beach s. of there if the surf is not too high. Fish are always caught along that beach named Harford Beach, but refered to as 'Little Avila', 'Jetski Beach', or 'Oil Beach' since when my kids were little we would dig in the sand and get a crude oil scent. The good area within range of your tube would be n. of Harford pier along the cliffs out toward the breakwater. The cliffs give some protection from the wind and it is the calmest portion of the harbor unless we get a s. swell. Your favorite halibut techniques will work, and right now there are plenty of fish in. Do you have a minnow bucket? It will keep your 'chovs alive all day. Good luck