OUTDOOR NOTES / RICH ROBERTS : A Weighty Problem Exists for Anglers

The catch-and-release ethic sometimes causes a dilemma for fishermen. Rick Miller of Ventura has caught several trophy-size largemouth bass at Lake Casitas recently--his 17-pound catch equals the third-largest caught in the state this year--but he hasn’t been able to release them because he wanted to weigh them.

There are two problems: Miller fishes from shore, which means he doesn’t have a boat with a live well; and he fishes late at night, which means most tackle shops and markets with proper scales are closed.

Miller took the biggest one home, put it in his bathtub and poured water down its throat until he found a scale. By then, though, the fish was doomed.

With Casitas and Castaic Lake flirting with the world record of 22 pounds 4 ounces, Miller asks: “What are they going to do when somebody pulls out that big daddy? The poor thing’s bouncing around in their trunk while they’re driving around trying to find a scale.”

Casitas marina manager Randy King sympathizes.

“We’re aware of (the problem),” he said. “I had a $500 scale until the kids did chin-ups and ruined it.”

He hopes to replace it, but that won’t help Miller, the midnight angler. King’s tackle shop closes at 8 p.m.

The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wis., may have a better idea: A new category recognizing catch-and-release records by length only, not weight.

“Fish weighing is defined as stressful and is discouraged,” a news release says. “The Hall of Fame encourages water-release. If there is any evidence . . . that the release was detained, stressed, abused or transported from the catch site . . . the application will not be considered.”

Briefly

CONSERVATION--The Conejo Valley Fly Fishers, with approval from various government agencies, have placed the first of several planned signs alerting anglers to the special regulations for the steelhead in Malibu Creek: catch-and-release only, with barbless hooks and artificial lures, and closed during the spawning runs from Nov. 15 to May 22. Club conservation chairman Steve Casey said there has been considerable poaching. “We’ve found people catching fish and bait containers all over the place,” he said. Violators are subject to fines of as much as $1,000.

The United Anglers of Southern California’s annual fund-raising banquet is scheduled Saturday, 6 p.m., at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. Primary beneficiary will be the depleted white sea bass fishery. Admission: $75. Details: (714) 891-5055. . . . The Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep has an urgent need for volunteers Saturday to complete a water hole project near Joshua Tree National Monument. Volunteers must camp out Friday night and provide their own food and water. Four-wheel-drive vehicles recommended. Details: (213) 256-0463.

The 836-pound blue marlin--largest of the season in Baja--taken by Kevin Fitzgerald of Brea recently was found to have a 2 3/4-inch long-line hook in its bill, says Larry Edwards of Cortez Yacht Charters. Commercial long-lining is illegal in Baja waters. However, it’s uncertain where the fish collected the hook. Dan Fink of Eagle Claw hooks says a typical hook will dissolve in a week or less, but, Edwards said, “Marlin can travel a long distance in a week--1,500 miles easily.”

ADVENTURE--The Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club of Redondo Beach will hold the 10th annual Le Petit Outrigger Canoe Ironman Classic on Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., at King Harbor. More than 500 paddlers are expected to compete over a 14-mile ocean course. . . . Wild West Adventure’s Schuetzenfest ’93 is scheduled Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Angeles Shooting Range at 12651 Little Tujunga Canyon Road in San Fernando. Activities will include sporting clays instruction, a Civil War skirmish, hang glider fly-in, cannon paint-ball competition and various shooting exhibitions. A suggested donation of $5 will benefit the Institute for Legislative Action. Details: (818) 367-5116, 8-9 a.m. weekdays.

FRESHWATER FISHING--A “Bassing for Abused Kids” charity tournament is scheduled May 22 at Lake Piru to benefit the Royal Family Kids’ Camps of Costa Mesa and the Santa Clarita Child and Family Development Center. Entry fee: $100 per two-person team.

Crowley Lake Fish Camp will re-open for boating Friday after undergoing repairs and cleanup from the 119-m.p.h. winds that hit the area May 3. Manager Don Schultz said the bait shop will be open, private boats may be launched and about 50 rental boats and motors will be available.. . .

With increased post-drought flows, the California Department of Fish and Game has been planting trout in Orange County’s San Juan Creek for the first time since 1985. Plants will continue until the water temperature reaches 70 degrees--probably in June. Access to San Juan Creek is best at the San Juan Picnic Area, 15 miles east on California 74 (the Ortega Highway) from Interstate 5.

SALTWATER FISHING--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration’s latest El Nino advisory says that a trend of cooling water indicates the recent warmer water was “a residual from the 1992 El Nino” and not a new El Nino. The advisory adds, however, that with recent catches of albacore as close as 400 miles southwest of San Diego, and yellowfin, skipjack and bluefin tuna 350-400 miles south of San Diego, “depending upon the rate of (seasonal) warming in Southern California waters the next few weeks, local fishing conditions . . . could rapidly improve.” . . . . 976-TUNA offers a free newsletter, “Tuna Times.” Details: (310) 328-5850.

MEXICAN FISHING--Cabo San Lucas: Striped marlin 110-160 pounds picked up at Destiladeras Bank and three-five miles south of Gray Rock. Tom Koch, Los Angeles, released one striper and took four dorado from 20-25 pounds and a 40-pound roosterfish. Wahoo have slowed; some pargo. Full moon has apparently reduced the availability of live bait.