Big blue

Russell Gilham, 24, Paradise Hills, caught an 88.40-pound blue catfish at San Vicente on Thursday. He baited mackerel (dipped in secret sauce) on 14-pound Cajun Red Line. He also caught a 60.20-pounder. San Vicente is the home of giant blue catfish, with the state-record 101-pounder caught and released there by Roger Rohrbouck in February 2000 and a 99-pound, 5-ouncer caught and released at San Vee in February 2003 by Justin Fools. Rohrbouck's catch remains the International Game Fish Association's line-class world record for 12-pound line. No surprise that Gilham said it's a personal-best fish for him. Ocean fishermen aren't catching 'em that big right now. Gilham fought the big blue for more than 45 minutes as it took him around the boat 15 times. It nearly spooled his reel, but Gilham and his uncle Kenneth Hunter actually chased it with the boat after all other lines were reeled in and the anchor was hoisted. His uncle netted it. Gilham, whose screen name on sdfish.com is “CatfishRuss,” has a detailed description of the catch on sdfish.com. Check out the photo of young Kenneth Hunter Jr., lying next to the big catfish, for a size comparison.

Albacore

How about albacore at 17 miles from Point Loma? That's what Bob Vanian of 976-BITE and www.976BITE.com reported Thursday after getting reports from private boaters in that area – 17 miles on a 217-degree heading from Point Loma. “A guy called and said he was picking up albacore between North Island and the 302 (Kidney Bank),” Vanian said. “I also had reports from fishermen inside the 182. The fish are in the 25-pound class. This is just a great run of near-shore albacore fishing.” Vanian said the run started July 4 and shows no signs of abating. “It seems to be building,” Vanian said yesterday. “It's even better today than it was yesterday.” Vanian, who has been the sole researcher and producer of 976-BITE for the past 14 years, offers fishing reports to callers for $2 a call, but he said his Web site does the bulk of the traffic these days. Internet users may access his reports via the Web for as little as $15 per week, but he also offers longer packages of $35 for a month, $65 for three months, $95 for six months and $125 for the year. He also takes reports at (619) 226-8218.

First marlin

Vanian reported the first marlin catch of the season last week. Captain Steve Lassley of the Mirage caught it Saturday. Lassley, who was looking for swordfish, found a couple of tailers on the lee side of San Clemente Island inside White Rock and got one to bite. Vanian said marlin have since been spotted around the 371 (Hidden Bank), 35 miles from Point Loma on a 200-degree heading.

Forest restrictions

The Forest Service has raised the fire danger level to “very high” in the Cleveland National Forest. Orosco Ridge and Palomar Divide Shooting Areas are closed. Call (619) 593-2183 or check www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland.