SOA 3-day, June 14-17, 2024

[Keta]

It looks like the right size too.

[Crab Pot]

Bill, that view is horrible.

Hope you didn't pay extra for it!       

GOOD LUCK GUYS!

Steve

[Crab Pot]

Did you fill the spot Alan?

[pjstevko]

Go get'm gents!

[Bill B]

Loaded bait and we're out of the harbor

[Gobi King]

Tight lines !

[MarkT]

I hope you limit out tonight 'cuz Saturday night and Sunday should be bad!

[pjstevko]

Well??

[Hardy Boy]

I'm sure report is to come. Bill texted me: 42 BFT up to 60 lbs. 9 anglers blanked. Sporty weather.


Todd

[CooldadE]

Beyond "sporty" I'm one of those that blanked... great crew and great group of anglers . Thank you Alan for all you do and did in regards to this trip ! Top notch...

[pjstevko]

Sorry to hear it tough for some, we've all had those trips before!

[Crab Pot]

I got skunked on a four day years ago so I know how the 9 feel.

I did catch fish, just none that I wanted.

Lot's of boneheads, barracuda, and Mexican White Fish.

I'm sure the 9 took fish home knowing this group!

[Maxed Out]

 I saw the weather forecast, and beyond sporty is a good description. 30-35knts all 3 days. That makes it hard to get the gear down and sit on a school. Also possibly rolling outta your bunk makes it tough to get shuteye. Glad everyone made it back without bodily harm

[Ron Jones]

Bringing up ice. Ted has ruined me, and SD is horrible. I have no idea why SD Ice Co doesn't sell commercial salt ice. Those of you coming up in September are in for a treat!
The Man

Arctic Baluga snot is Arctic Baluga snot, part of fishing, and sucks just the same.

[Bill B]

It wasn't sporty, it was treacherous. 

Anyway, my wife and I drove down to San Diego Thursday.  We had dinner with the crew at Miguel's and breakfast at Dennys.  The wife spent three days relaxing while we fished.

Boarding went smooth and everyone sorted, prepped,  and stowed their gear.  We loaded up at the bait barge, but Evan wasn't too happy and quiet a lot was dumped due to poor health.  As we exited the harbor Capt Evan and Capt Luke gave us the safety briefing and game plan for the next three days.  It appears Luke is being groomed for the captains chair. 

Out of the harbor we hung a left and headed south for the area where the SOA limited the night before.  6 hours later somewhere west of Ensenada we began searching for fish.  There was little signs of life.  The fish moved on but left no forwarding address.  During the evening we motored north to the Coronado Islands to net flying fish, aka bluefin candy.  We loaded up a couple dozen wrapped and froze them for later use.  Not that we would use them, too windy to fly a kite.

As dawn approached we headed southwest looking for our wayward BF. With daylight I put out a large Mexican Flag feather and a couple other trollers were put out too.  An hour in the Penn VISX 50 went off and another troll rig went off.  An epic battle with bookend 10 pound bonitos ensued.  We were victorious. Both fish were donated to the galley.  This turned out to be the highlight of my trip.

As night approached we continued searching for schools of BF.  Found a couple picking off 1 or 2.  Then about 0230hrs we found THE school that stuck with the boat and the majority of the 42 fish were landed.

Knife jigs and Eddie Bombs ruled the night. The SOP was to cast up current dropping down to the target depth as you shuffled across the stern. Depths were anywhere from 150-300' which the captain called out as he maneuvered the boat for a drift. When you reached the down side of the drift your jig was scoped way out, retrieve and do it again.  My bomb was 20 oz and in no time scoped way out.  You may have been straight up and down with a 10 pound bomb the wind was so strong.

The next day we continued searching for BF in Mexican waters but no luck.  Evan made the call to head north and fish an area west of SD.

By night fall I was beat. I broke down my gear and showered.  This was a smart move as no BF were found that night.  I woke up around 0430 hrs as we motored into the harbor.  Gathered my gear on deck.

Offloading was quick and the fish filled maybe 3 carts.  I canceled my reservation with Fisherman's Processing with a refund coming back to me.

Thanks to Alan I was bunked in the aft cabins with the other old men.  I swear i heard the guys in the forward cabins playing ping pong in their bunks with the giant swells.  Been there done that, no thank you.

Lots of new faces on this trip and it took a minute to sort out the teamwork aspect of this type of fishing.  But we got it done.  Yeah, yeah, I can hear the folks from the Pacific Northwest saying this is normal for us.  But I'm in SoCal and it's not normal for me...and you weren't there.😜

This was a good trip, any trip you don't sink is a good trip. I have some pictures I will upload later after I climb into my bed that's not trying to throw me out.

I hope you guys have a nicer trip in July.

Bill