This will be the first of two bluefin trips on the spirit of adventure. the guys on the june trip last year get first crack at spots for this year. i will be sending out emails to everyone later this afternoon. the trip will run with 24 again. the total cost for the boat alone is $28,750, not including tip, fuel surcharges, licenses or processing. divided 24 ways, the cost for the boat alone is $1198. adding a 17% tip comes out to $1400, so that is what i will be charging for this trip.
emails will go out later this afternoon. i will need to hear back from all of you within a week and get a 50% $700 deposit check soon after. a deposit for this trip needs to be sent in by february 1st. thanks! alan
the list (updated 1/25/2023).
1. Alan Tani - Saratoga, CA (paid in full)
2. Warren Hamachi - West Covina, CA (paid in full)
3. David Hoffmann - Morgan Hill, CA (paid in full)
4. Tracy Wong - Santa Clara, CA (paid in full)
5. Wes Tsutui - San Jose, CA (paid in full)
6. Pete Mateo - Fremont, CA (paid in full)
7. Nikola Pang - Fresno, CA (paid in full)
8. Ron Huddleston - Scottsdale, AZ (paid in full)
9. Bernard Chen - Menlo Park, CA (paid in full)
10. Don Scheel - Santa Clara, CA (paid in full)
11. Isaac Chen - Menlo Park, CA (paid in full)
12.Peter Shamshoian - Santa Cruz, CA (paid in full)
13. Roy Qi - Santa Barbara, CA (paid in full)
14. Randy Musterer - San Jose, CA (paid in full)
15. Dennis Baxter - El Granada, CA (paid in full)
16. Alberto Herrera - Lebec, CA (paid in full)
17. Braden Baxter - El Granada, CA (paid in full)
18. Mike Grosman - Germantown, TN (paid in full)
19. Michael Feinberg - Santa Monica, CA (paid in full)
20. Tom Farrell - Camarillo, CA (paid in full)
21. Tom Ryugo - San Francisco, CA (paid in full)
22.Wayne Slicki - Cupertino, CA (paid in full)
23. Nelson Owyang - Belmont, CA (paid in full)
24. Wayne Scott - San Jose, CA (paid in full)
waiting list.
25. Chris (Roy Qi's friend)
29. Mark Wilson
30. Chris Ling
Awesome Alan! Hopefully I'm on the list!
Nice...
Quote from: stoked4fishin on January 05, 2023, 12:39:49 AMAwesome Alan! Hopefully I'm on the list!
jeff, i'm certain that we will have room for you.
Alan, I will have to pass on this trip. Bill
Quote from: Bill B on January 05, 2023, 08:20:53 PMAlan, I will have to pass on this trip. Bill
no problem. you just get healthy!
Thanks Alan
Thanks Alan, I appreciate the move. Looking forward to the trip.
Ron
Alan, Sign me up if there's an opening.
Hi Alan
After checking my schedule, please put me on the June trip if there is room. Not sure I can make the July trip, but I'm checking.
Thanks Jeff
Ok, unfortunately, a slight change in plans. My wife will be going home to the Philippines during that time, so I will have Grandparent duty with the newly arrived grandson. So, Can I get on the July trip instead? I'll get you can call when I'm bac from my business trip.
Jeff
Count me in on both 3 days Alan
-Nikola
A check is coming.
Thanks
Mick
Can I get on the wait list for this please? I was sent here by my friend Roy(Q3fishboy). Thanks
guys, the trip is now full. chris, i'll add you to the waiting list. thanks!!!! alan
Got Alan's email that final deposits are due.
It's almost time! Looking forward to fishing with everyone.
Quote from: bchen on April 26, 2023, 06:59:11 PMGot Alan's email that final deposits are due.
It's almost time! Looking forward to fishing with everyone.
I was sorry to see you and your son aren't on the July 3 day but I'm sure you'll have a great time on the June trip.
Why'd ya switch trips?
Hello, PJ! There's a good chance Isaac will be in camp by July. I figured it was better to get him on the June trip rather than break up his summer.
Quote from: bchen on April 26, 2023, 09:51:22 PMHello, PJ! There's a good chance Isaac will be in camp by July. I figured it was better to get him on the June trip rather than break up his summer.
Gotcha! You'll both be missed on the trip!
A little more than a month to go...... you guys should be being your gear together!
I'm getting my gear together for the October 8 day now.
Tight lines to all of you
Share reports after:)
I'll be on the Oct 2nd 8 day...
Fishing has been on the scratchy side for Bluefin. Hopefully it picks up for the trip. It looks like fishing the slide, daytime sinker rigs, light jigs during the day, knife jigs and sinker jigs at night. I am wondering if we will do any rockfishing if (a) we limit out or (b) we cant find them. On my April trip on the PQ, we limited on the Bluefin for the boat on the second night. Then we hit the 60 mile bank for rockfish on the third day. The Rockfish were very nice quality, I am enjoying Blackened Vermillion filets on a weekly basis right now.
The trips coming up quick.... you guys should be getting excited!
(I'm excited for you!)
i'm trying like hell to get things done. it looks like i'll be flying back to denver to help allison move. she and i will be driving to redding for her residency. ???
Alan, let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
I was on the Pacific Voyager for a 2 1/2 day over Memorial Day weekend. Saturday we loaded up on the rockfish at the 60 mile bank fishing at 60-80+ fathoms. Saturday night we only got 2 BFT jigging south of San Clemente Island... both by the same guy! Sunday morning we got 40+ BFT flylining southwest of the Coronado's, maybe a couple on sinker rigs.
Yeah it's definitely a tough year so far, I'm wondering why the fishing is so inconsistent this year???
Hopefully the bite turns on and stays on soon!
Quote from: MarkT on May 31, 2023, 04:02:15 AMI was on the Pacific Voyager for a 2 1/2 day over Memorial Day weekend. Saturday we loaded up on the rockfish at the 60 mile bank fishing at 60-80+ fathoms. Saturday night we only got 2 BFT jigging south of San Clemente Island... both by the same guy! Sunday morning we got 40+ BFT flylining southwest of the Coronado's, maybe a couple on sinker rigs.
So what I am reading between the lines is Mark got two Bluefin jigging :D - john
Quote from: Brewcrafter on May 31, 2023, 04:39:33 AMQuote from: MarkT on May 31, 2023, 04:02:15 AMI was on the Pacific Voyager for a 2 1/2 day over Memorial Day weekend. Saturday we loaded up on the rockfish at the 60 mile bank fishing at 60-80+ fathoms. Saturday night we only got 2 BFT jigging south of San Clemente Island... both by the same guy! Sunday morning we got 40+ BFT flylining southwest of the Coronado's, maybe a couple on sinker rigs.
So what I am reading between the lines is Mark got two Bluefin jigging :D - john
Nope... I went 3/5 fly lining. I got chewed off on one and lot the other in a tangle. The guy that got the ones at night (90-110#) was an oral surgeon from Santa Barbara specializing in root canals.
Quote from: pjstevko on May 31, 2023, 04:37:11 AMYeah it's definitely a tough year so far, I'm wondering why the fishing is so inconsistent this year???
Hopefully the bite turns on and stays on soon!
Water still pretty cold. Was on a 2-d last w/e & fish stayed deep. Sounds like tuna pens are place to be once again.
Counting down the days!
I've been focusing a lot on vertical/mechanical jigging the last 2 years. I bought myself something new to experiment with: the Maxel Rage 90. Will rig it with 80# line on a Jigging Master PE 5-10 rod. (I'm also bringing 40# and 60# speed jigging setups.)
Nice!
I just bought an Accurate BV2-600NN for jigging. I need to decide on a rod, leaning towards a Phenix Megalodon MPX-C 608 PE 4-8 250 – 400 g
Looks like the bite is starting to turn on for the nighttime jigging!
Started packing. Are we there yet?😎
Latest reports look like better grade of Bluefin. Flylining 50-60, Snipers on 80, sinker rigs during the day. Night fishing 300-500 gm knife jigs.
this the only trip that is all set. there are two openings on the july soa trip, four openings on the july cedros trip, and a bunch of openings on the october soa 8-day and 10 day. it's tough out there. i think that alot of guys are just running short on funds. :-[
Quote from: stoked4fishin on June 10, 2023, 12:13:35 AMNice!
I just bought an Accurate BV2-600NN for jigging. I need to decide on a rod, leaning towards a Phenix Megalodon MPX-C 608 PE 4-8 250 – 400 g
The megalodon has a great reputation. The only place I've seen it for sale was at Bob Sands. They seem to have lots of rare stuff in stock
because they don't have an internet front.
And before I lose my standing as a member of this site, my go-to reel for irons is an upgraded Newell 322 (Bryan's 5-stack, the stainless steel bridge sleeve, and Alan's handle). It's not just the new and shiny. :)
Quote from: bchen on June 15, 2023, 05:38:24 PMThe megalodon has a great reputation. The only place I've seen it for sale was at Bob Sands. They seem to have lots of rare stuff in stock because they don't have an internet front.
And before I lose my standing as a member of this site, my go-to reel for irons is an upgraded Newell 322 (Bryan's 5-stack, the stainless steel bridge sleeve, and Alan's handle). It's not just the new and shiny. :)
The fish don't care about the topside's "...new and shiny..."
Hence, all my conventionals are old and dull.
actually, we now have an opening. if anyone knows of someone that could jump on last minute, please let me know.
Safe travels everyone and hope you guys get into a great bite!
Good Luck to all!!
The last couple of SOA trips have gotten into some of the bigger schoolie BFT!
Good luck guys, I hope you have good weather to boot as well.
Spirit of Adventure Sportfishing is at H&M Landing.
The Alan Tani 3 day trip is complete. Despite a windy forecast, we took the guys out west to have a shot at the bluefin that is around. We were able to land 74 bluefin up to 155#. The 350-450g knife jigs and 16oz sinker bombs worked great at night. In the daytime, some schools bit the sinker rig well and some bit the 40# flyline, though landing percentage was probably 10% on 40# test. Overall there has been plenty of opportunity for an angler to catch what they need if they take advantage. Thank you to Alan Tani and all of his guys that came out fishing with us!
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like they did ALOT better than we did on our Father's Day 2-d.
Quote from: sciaenops on June 23, 2023, 02:44:14 AMThanks for sharing. Sounds like they did ALOT better than we did on our Father's Day 2-d.
You were on the Vagabond?
Quote from: MarkT on June 23, 2023, 05:49:21 AMQuote from: sciaenops on June 23, 2023, 02:44:14 AMThanks for sharing. Sounds like they did ALOT better than we did on our Father's Day 2-d.
You were on the Vagabond?
Yessir.
Good morning, still moving from the boat. Good trip, but tested your endurance and knot tying skills. Those light line fish were definitely a challenge. The bite was very selective at times. I had a lot of fun just hanging out with the guys too! Thanks to Alan for being a great charter master. I hope some others will fill you in with their thoughts from the trip.
sounds like everyone was very busy on deck. Well done. :d
Did you guys have to pay a fuel surcharge?
No fuel surcharge and thanks for the awesome sticker, PJ! I've added it to my water bottle that also has last year's drag star sticker.
My learning for the trip:
Night fishing: The bluefin are not looking at the color, pattern, or action (rolling, wobbling, etc.) of the lure. Totally different from daytime feeding when they care about missing scales or a red nose. My guess is that everything in the ocean that they can detect that is roughly the same size as a 16 oz weight / 500gr lure is edible.
I started with a black, glossy rip roller (abalone pattern?), and ended up with a bent-and-straightened, paintless rip roller that still caught fish. The folks using sinker bombs didn't have any issues either. All of my lures were hit below the eye - lots of missing paint in the bottom 75%. The bottom hook as to be good.
Night bites were at 300 feet, day bites were 120-180. Lots of current at 200.
Metered line was a winner. Marking line is possible, but way harder to see in the dark. I normally use Daiwa J-braid that has 30ft sections for vertical jigging. On this trip, I also had a reel with Izorline metered braid that's colored every 100 feet. For night drops, the 100ft sections of izorline were much more convenient. Big up/down sweeps worked and the tuna tended to hit on the drop (3 of 4).
Vertical jigging didn't produce during the daytime (on this trip...)
I really enjoyed watching the two, extended MMA fish fights. Sometimes the fish wins even when it's the one that ends up in the boat. Landing a fish quicker is always better!
I really enjoyed the many conversations and will see you folks next year!
- Bernard
Quote from: bchen on June 23, 2023, 08:21:53 PMNo fuel surcharge and thanks for the awesome sticker, PJ! I've added it to my water bottle that also has last year's drag star sticker.
My learning for the trip:
Night fishing: The bluefin are not looking at the color, pattern, or action (rolling, wobbling, etc.) of the lure. Totally different from daytime feeding when they care about missing scales or a red nose. My guess is that everything in the ocean that they can detect that is roughly the same size as a 16 oz weight / 500gr lure is edible.
I started with a black, glossy rip roller (abalone pattern?), and ended up with a bent-and-straightened, paintless rip roller that still caught fish. The folks using sinker bombs didn't have any issues either. All of my lures were hit below the eye - lots of missing paint in the bottom 75%. The bottom hook as to be good.
Night bites were at 300 feet, day bites were 120-180. Lots of current at 200.
Metered line was a winner. Marking line is possible, but way harder to see in the dark. I normally use Daiwa J-braid that has 30ft sections for vertical jigging. On this trip, I also had a reel with Izorline metered braid that's colored every 100 feet. For night drops, the 100ft sections of izorline were much more convenient. Big up/down sweeps worked and the tuna tended to hit on the drop (3 of 4).
Vertical jigging didn't produce during the daytime (on this trip...)
I really enjoyed watching the two, extended MMA fish fights. Sometimes the fish wins even when it's the one that ends up in the boat. Landing a fish quicker is always better!
I really enjoyed the many conversations and will see you folks next year!
- Bernard
Bernard, thanks for the intel! How many fish did you and your son catch?
You're welcome for the stickers
Isaac had a character-building trip. He hooked 10 and landed 2. Turns out one of the guides on his go-to rod was damaged (we ran q-tips through all of the guides/rods at home so they were good, then) which cost him 2 break-offs before he diagnosed the problem. He also had issues with his spectra digging into itself and cutting off. Lots of learning for him.
He's hungry to fish again next year, though.
Spectra needs to be spooled tight.
Quote from: bchen on June 24, 2023, 03:10:28 AMIsaac had a character-building trip. He hooked 10 and landed 2. Turns out one of the guides on his go-to rod was damaged (we ran q-tips through all of the guides/rods at home so they were good, then) which cost him 2 break-offs before he diagnosed the problem. He also had issues with his spectra digging into itself and cutting off. Lots of learning for him.
He's hungry to fish again next year, though.
Glad he had a good trip! There no better way to learn than to fail! Hopefully we'll end up on the same trip next year
Did you guys do any trolling?
Hi PJ, regarding the trolling, we only had a few folks that tried on the second day for a bit. I trolled a red Madmac 200 for a bit, but switched to a 160 mackerel pattern for a while too, no takers.
Bernard, kudos to you for bringing your son on the trip. Isaac brought so much good energy with him and fished as hard as he could. It was a pleasure to share a rail with both of you.
Tom
It was good to fish and talk with you, too, Tom! Isaac is a really fishy kid. These trips are also training him to be a better card player. Life skills.
Alan, can you post a link to the cheap split rings we were using? And what were the specs on the treble hooks? Those things were beasts.
400 pound split rings - https://www.amazon.com/Alwonder-Counts-Fishing-Stainless-Connectors/dp/B07KC7MYTB/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=3U6BZLTWKTYW0&keywords=split%2Brings&qid=1687810208&sprefix=split%2Brings%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1&psc=1
split ring pliers - https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Tackle-Split-Sr-5Xlhd-Handle/dp/B00SQ2XMD6/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3MQNF6BH30OH4&keywords=split+ring+pliers+texas+tackle&qid=1687810286&sprefix=split+ring+pliers+texas+tackle%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-8
5/0 trebles are the biggest you will find - https://www.amazon.com/Mustad-Treble-Strong-Hook-Durasteel/dp/B00FPR1FOS/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=mustad%2B6%2F0%2B5x%2Btreble%2Bhooks&qid=1687810326&sprefix=mustad%2B6%2F0%2Btreble%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-5&th=1&psc=1
9/0 tuna hooks - https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Trolling-Hooks-Model/dp/B013TRNHP0/ref=sr_1_26?crid=17LA7SD9X1KOH&keywords=tuna+hooks+9%2F0&qid=1687810493&sprefix=9%2F0+tuna+%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-26
Alan you ever have trouble with the TT split ring pliers opening up those split rings enough for big hook eyelets?
I had to buy HPA split ring pliers to open up the owner ultra #8/9 enough to get big single and treble hooks on split rings...
I use the HPA, Shimano, Pitbull, Texas Tackles... in that order! Pitbull's are the cheapest and work better than the TT.