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Sports

Season's 1st Albacore Caught in SoCal

Saltwater anglers in Hermosa Beach can stop waiting—the Albacore are nearby in San Diego.

Capt. Sam Patella of the American Angler has caught the first reported Albacore tuna in Southern California this year.

Two 15-18 pound longfins were caught about 239 miles from Point Loma on Sunday.

Anglers are not sure whether these are resident Albacore that settle year-long around Guadalupe Island and other parts of the Baja, Calif. offshore waters or the beginning of the 2011 migratory season. 

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In either case, it helps to raise expectations as the San Diego offshore season up until now has been very poor, according to locals.

"This is right where you might like to see them [Albacore] at this time of the year," said Buzz Brizendine from Prowler Sportfishing. 

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The San Diego fleet and tuna fishermen alike will be monitoring the numbers of Albacore now to see if this is a flash in the pan or just the tip of the iceberg.

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