Anchovies?

I have not been saltwater fishing for several years now, and I want to know if live anchovies and available from the bait boats and in particular Davy's Locker. I want to rent a skiff in Newport Harbor for me, my son and grandson, and I hoped that live anchovies would be available. The last time we rented a skiff all they had at the bait boat there in the harbor were large sardines. We used them, but they were so big that most of the fish in the bay didn't take them. Back when anchovies were available, we would catch all kinds of fish! You couldn't cast a live anchovy out without some kind of fish taking it. If you didn't get bit, there were no fish in that spot. Are the huge off shore schools of anchovies still gone?

Davy's Locker does not have live bait, but you can get half scoops from the bait barge in the main channel heading out of the harbor. Just make sure you get a skiff with a live bait tank.
Good Luck!

You didn't understand my question.. I wanted to know if live anchovies are available at the bait receiver (barge). Sardines are ok if they are not big ones.

Apologies for also not answering your question directly (as I don't fish down in Newport), but it is a fact that California anchovy populations have crashed in the past few years, and haven't really recovered yet.

I remember as a kid all you got were anchovies as live bait, and I agree they were the perfect size for harbor and pier fishing. Now it seems to be mostly sardines that are available, if at all.

Theres been giant schools of anchovy up here this year. We were even catching them on sabikis a few times. The last time i got bait at Ventura, it was anchovy. this is first hand information, seen with my own two eyes.

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Originally Posted by fishmounter

You didn't understand my question.. I wanted to know if live anchovies are available at the bait receiver (barge). Sardines are ok if they are not big ones.

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This is a hard question, because it changes daily. Sometimes they are able to find and catch chovies and sometimes not, same with sardines. The Newport Harbor's bait barge is served by San Pedro Bait Company - they also service, San Pedro! :)

They aren't the best at communicating on their website, last bait report is years old. But are pretty good on Facebook at fb.com/sanpedrobait

You can also contact them via....

24 Hour Record Bait Information: (310) 217-7552 or VHF Channel 11
Cell to Cabrillo Barge (310) 365-2516
Cell to Newport Barge (310) 461-5370
Nextel Direct Connect to Newport Bart: 123*68731*2
Email Us: bait@sanpedrobait.com

I just called direct to Newport's barge, since the last report on FB is a week or so old (the FB post says squid and sardines). Talked directly to the barge, they have 4" chovies in good shape, and the sardines aren't in so good shape. In 24 hours, I expect this to change and they will have a fresh new batch of dines based on history.

Hope this helps and good luck fishing with the family.
---Mike