Rock Cod and Tuna Combo

[Crab Pot]

Went out with the Reel Ninja crew, thanks for the invite Billy, for a Farallon Island cod trip.

Given the recent news of all the exotics being caught I said what the hell and brought my tuna trolling rig.

Once on the boat, the New Huck Fin out of Emeryville, I asked Capt. Jay what the water temps off the gate were and figured it was worth a shot. What else was I going to do on the boat ride out the islands?

So I put my cigar and bird out once we cleared the Potatoe Patch out about 150 yards. Boat was going an average of 12 knots which is on fast side. But hey it was a cod trip.

Once we got insight of the islands Capt. Jay said get the Sand Dab rigs out so I reeled in my rig, only to find out the cigar wasn't there. It was a factory tied rig on 200lb test. Had to of had a bur on the inside of lead head that while spinning cut the line. That's all I can think of.

Anyway it was Sand Dab time and we crushed them, I even put a few 12" Dab's in my ice chest, my wife loves'em.

Cruised past the very far north set of islands targeting Lings, we had 26 limits of Lings on two drifts. It was wide open and we left them biting.

I was time to fill the bags so we moved further inside between the north and south set of islands and put a beat down on some good grade Olives with a Vermillion here and there. We also got into a few Golden Eye. Capt. Jay had a descender and they were released.

On the way in a trolled again with a bird and Mexican Flag clone. No joy though.

Great trip, good to have some Lings and Cod in the freezer.

[Gfish]

Ha! Dude you are a SERIOUS fisherman, trolling for Albacore(?) like that. Sounds like something I might try, why waste the opportunity? It's a long way out there.
12 knots is fast but ya never know...
Sounds like some great Fall bottom fishin.

[Hardy Boy]

You never know if you don't try. Nice bottom fishing.

Cheers:


Todd

[Gfish]

One critter the Nor-Cal waters ain't short-of seems to be Sand Dabs. Great big-fish bait and great table-fare.

[Crab Pot]

When the Captain told me tuna water why not!

We ate bait, I mean Sand Dabs last night.

Delicious!

Ling Cod tonight.

[Crab Pot]

Friend of mine in Morro Bay tried the same thing I did on a cod trip and was rewarded with an 80 pound Bluefin on a Madmac lure. 

I'll let you know if he gives me any as his inspiration! 

[alantani]

looks like a great time!

[thorhammer]

Sweet!!!!!

[johndtuttle]

my vote is Thresher for the bite off. 

[Crab Pot]

Never caught or seen a Thresher where I'm at.

They are here though and do get caught.

I'm "told" they follow Salmon balls waiting for a free meal.

[steelfish]

cool, looks like great day on the water

[Patudo]

I'm struck by how the Madmacs fast trolling thing is so successful out your way. In my area and in NW European waters more generally, Atlantic bluefin are caught on artificials, but the great majority would be on spreader bar rigs trolled quite slowly. The bait they're on generally doesn't move quickly, certainly nowhere near as quickly as yellowfin when they're after fast-moving baitfish like flying fish - so I suppose the slow trolled presentation makes sense. I hear the Pacific bluefins off SoCal are on big flyers, so I suppose a 12 knot troll makes sense (if you can afford the cost of it - only in America!) but are there enough flyers further north? 

But instead of trolling a lure at 12 knots and hoping to snag something as you go between points A and B, it might be better to glass around with binoculars for Big activity - birds hitting the water, dolphins and whales feeding etc. If that scenario can be found, the skipper might be more likely to stop, as multiple anglers could benefit, versus just one guy dicking around on a trolled fish.

Higher speed trolling (10 kts plus) places a lot of strain on the gear.  For situations like that you may be better served with a lower resistance lure that will handle the speed, like a chrome jet head, or (I guess) a Madmac.  The leader and all connections need to be solid - 300 lb mono isn't overkill, and should be properly crimped with the appropriate anti-chaffing gear (which a lot of factory rigs aren't).  300 lb is pretty heavy stuff, but if they are minded to take a lure at that speed, they won't be shy. 

[pjstevko]

Steve nice job on lingcod limits!

I might bring my trolling rig on the Morro Bay trip in a few weeks. Like you said "couldn't hurt".

PJ

[Gfish]

Many years ago, not knowing too much about conventional heavy rig fishing, I tried it with a Long Beach 60 and a light trolling rod. I was on a commercial boat(Salmon Tender in Alaska, Crab Pot winches and hydraulic jig trolling[9 lines at a time]set-up for the Albacore we were targeting). Didn't take long to hook-up on what was around a 10lb. "Albie". As you could probably guess, at 8 knots, I couldn't even move the thing. Eventually it pulled off.
That's alright, one evening after the boat shut down, I got an 11 lb.'er on a deep diver plug using my spinning Surf rig. I tried everything I could come-up with. Got; Blue Sharks on a baited trot line, big Squid on glowing Squid plugs and a nice Salmon on one of those Pink Lady deep trolling rigs, probably in  Canadian waters(the Captain slowed down for me on that one).
As most probably know, both moving and drifting boats attract fish. Prop-wash really seems to attract some species. Got a Salmon off of Carmel Calif. area once while bottom fishing, but using a 3 oz. Feather/hackle jig on a light rig. That one took it while I worked it under the boat. Out of season and the Captain wasn't to pleased with my tackle choice.

[Crab Pot]

But instead of trolling a lure at 12 knots and hoping to snag something as you go between points A and B, it might be better to glass around with binoculars for Big activity - birds hitting the water, dolphins and whales feeding etc. If that scenario can be found, the skipper might be more likely to stop, as multiple anglers could benefit, versus just one guy dicking around on a trolled fish.

It was a rock cod trip so the only thing the captain wanted to do was get to point A to point B. I asked permission before putting it out, he was 100% on board. This season should be wide open all the way north to Fort Bragg with the Super El Neieno being predicted.

Good Luck PJ!