Fishing Mexico

South Bay anglers were provided with plenty of action from Santa Monica Bay to San Clemente Island during the three-day holiday weekend. For the first time this summer, warm water currents helped bring bonito to the area. The bonito are being caught over a wide area from Santa Monica Bay to the offshore rigs. Paul Boesche of Redondo Sportfishing reports that anglers have been catching limits of bonito on half-day and three-quarter day boats for more than a week.

Re "Recasting Wilderness as Open for Business," Oct. 25: Finally -- but better late than never -- The Times has realized that the precarious position of America's wilderness is in the hands of a government that cares more about short-term energy than a long-term legacy to future generations of Americans. Please keep delivering information to the millions of Americans who are not aware of this irreversible destruction. Ann Videriksen Los Angeles Writer Henry Weinstein does an excellent job of piecing together a complex story.

Legendary bass fishing pro Roland Martin announced his retirement last week, prompting a Times assistant editor to wonder: "Guy retires from fishing ... how do you do that?" Although Martin has hung up his rod and reel when it comes to work, that's not the case when it comes to fun. As Martin explained in the Inside BASS newsletter: "I had a glorious fall season without worrying about tournaments. I killed a couple of moose in Alaska and a big elk in Utah. And I did all kinds of neat fishing.

Through death and injury, the most majestic of marine animals have become the most valuable tool to rid Mexican waters of the fishing gear that imperils them. Whales, dolphins and turtles are pawns in a clash between forces intent on expanding commercial fishing in Mexico's waters and forces promoting conservation of the country's prized fishery.

The Department of Fish and Game has released results of its halibut tagging program. According to biologist Ray Ally, 3,500 halibut were tagged between September, 1990, and December, 1991. Ally said most of the 25 tagged halibut that were caught were located in Santa Monica Bay and less than the 22-inch keeper size. Most of the fish had moved an average of 15 miles from the tag site, although one was recaptured 32 miles up the coast.

A large concentration of white seabass from Point Fermin to Rocky Point have South Bay anglers reeling in some big catches. Although season catches are up, anglers are still finding it difficult to catch a three-fish limit. Party boats and skiff anglers, fishing near shore kelp and rocks, are hooking up but haven't been able to hold the bigger fish. Anglers aboard the L.A. Harbor boat Matt Walsh and Long Beach Sportfishing's Victory report catches of as many as 15 white seabass.

Tuesday afternoon, LeRoy Irvin was scheduled to meet with members of the Rams' defensive secondary to pose for a poster entitled "Crunch Bunch," a promotional shoot sponsored by a potato-chip company. Irvin never made it, of course, having received word of his 30-day suspension for violating the National Football League's substance abuse policy. Embarrassed, Irvin called cornerback Clifford Hicks and asked if he'd take his place.

Bobby Knoop played next to Jim Fregosi for five years. They were more than just the keystone components of a slick double-play combination, though. They were roommates during the season and hunting and fishing partners in the off-season. Ask Knoop, now the Angel first base coach, how he remembers Fregosi and he'll tell you about sail fishing in Mexico or deer hunting in Colorado. But then he says, "Of course, I'll always think of Jimmy as a player." Fregosi, who played shortstop for the Angels from 1961 to 1971 and managed the team from June of 1978 through May of 1981, was inducted into the Angel hall of fame Wednesday night.

Bobby Grich says there's only one thing missing from his life since he retired from baseball . . . excitement. The game must be more stimulating than it looks because Grich has spent parts of the last seven months helicopter skiing in the Canadian wilderness, scuba diving in Hawaii, marlin fishing in Mexico and driving in celebrity car races. "I've had a great time," he said, "but it's not the same as running your act every night in front of 40,000 people.

By reeling in one fish, Neal Glover set the Southland sportfishing community abuzz. Glover of Los Angeles, while fishing last week aboard H&M Landing's Trilene Big Game, caught the first tuna of the season--a 25-pound yellowfin--within a day's range of San Diego's huge fleet. The phone lines at H&M, Point Loma and Fisherman's landings have been lighting up since. Finally, a fish strong enough to provide a challenge. And a tasty one to boot.