Seaforth Sportfishing is running a limited load trip on the Pacifica this week end. The trip is sponsored by Penn with Steve Carson hosting. I'm looking forward to the trip, my first down south. I had a couple of trips that fell through last year because of health issues. I'm also lookin forward to using some of my hopped up narrow penn reels. There is still 10 spots left...
Any tips for a greenhorn ? I'm bringing a 20# a 30# a 40/50# and an 80# rig...
Cool
Right on man, glad you are getting down there for this wicked bite that's been going on! A couple of suggestions for ya: if you have a 25# outfit to bring, do it. I did a 2 1/2 day in September and it seemed like sometimes they would bite the 25#, but not the 30#. Made a huge difference in landing the fish quicker. Practice your knots! Make sure that you can tie them quickly and accurately. Bad knots will frustrate the heck out of ya when you're in a hot bite! Change your bait. Make sure that your bait swims away from the boat. If it doesn't, knock it off your hook and get a new one. The first stop of my trip, I went 4 for 5 on the yellowfin. I probably went through 30-40 baits trying to find that magic one that would swim! It gets pretty frustrating when your 8th bait in row(that takes time to pick out of the baitwell) swims straight back to the boat. Keep in mind that he's seeing all those tuna inhaling his buddies and doesn't want to get eaten! That being said, practice your casting if you can before you leave. Getting a good cast will help get your bait to swim away from the boat. Don't be married to any one setup or hooking method. Not getting bit? Change something that you're doing! Last bit, above all, make sure that you listen to what the crew says to do! They are out there every day and know what is working. Don't be afraid to ask for help. They will do what they can to help you out.
Good luck and I'm looking forward to a report with lots of pics!
Mike
Sounds like you have it covered with 20-80. I'd also have flouro in the 15-40/50 lb. range also. Your 80# can be your trolling, bait or jig setup. Make sure your flat falls are rigged with 200# leader, 130# minimum. At minimum, your hook sizes should be #4 up to 2/0 - J or circle. I mostly use J hooks but fish them like a circle. For these fish, however, I'd probably go with circles since the schools are mixed - bft/yft and 15-60# fish.
Have fun out there and be safe!
Id leave the 80# at home and bring another 20-30# outfit that has decent line capacity. For the last month most of the fish have been in the 15-30# range ..with a few scattered 40-60#in the mix. 4-6" sardines and small hooks . They're school size fish and very manageable on the smaller gear. ... unless your group is specifically targeting BIG Fish outside of the current gathering area ? Call the landing or boat to get the current game plan. your boat may be different than the rest of the gang. the fish have been in pretty close (30-40 miles). Bites happen quickly. Have an extra small line set up rigged. I hate trying to re-tie hooks when its going off and things get crazy fun.
Wow ! A lot of great info... much appreciated !
I'm getting crazy excited...
Cool
Bait, Bait, Bait.. ....Its been said above, and they will say it on the boat...keep changing. If it wont swim away from the boat, change it. If it is not acting lively..change it. Experiment with belly hooked -vs- nose hooked-vs- anal fin-vs- shoulder. Listen to the crew, they want you to catch fish, they are there to help........
And, although some purists may disagree, get a small bait net to make catching the really lively baits in the hand well easier. They sell them for a couple bucks in Seaforth...NE corner by the bait freezer ;D
Brett
The Endeavor just reported 2 day limits this morning on the 40-60 lb bft. Now they're looking for some yft before going in later today. Other boats today continue to get mixed schools of the bft/yft. One boat this morning is saying to bring 20-80/100 lb setups, including your rubber band sinker rigs. They've been catching (and losing) bft on the flatfall today. Sounds like the majority of the bft are the 40-60 lb stuff while the majority of the yft is 20-30 lb.
As has been stated already, bait selection is key as well as ensuring the bait is moving away from the boat quickly. Talk to the crew. I'll also second the suggestion someone else made about using 25# over 30#. If your reel is in great working order with new drags that are smooth and not jerky, you can pull hard on these fish. I'd choose to bring two 25# outfits over one 25# and one 30#.
If I was bringing only 3 outfits for your upcoming trip, I'd bring 15, 25 and 40. Of course, being me, I'd never do that ::) since I'd probably bring 5 :D. Remember, the actual breaking strength of the mono is higher than the rated strength. I use Izor so it's crazy higher. Also, you can use different strength flouro on your mono...i.e. 15# or 20# flouro on 15# mono; 20, 25 or 30 on your 25# mono etc. The flouro will break before the mono most of the time.
Thanks again! I'm soaking it all in. What do y'all do with your catch when you get off the boat? Processors or ice chests ? I'm driving 8 hrs to get home...
Cool
Quote from: CooldadE on October 22, 2019, 11:34:39 PM
Thanks again! I'm soaking it all in. What do y'all do with your catch when you get off the boat? Processors or ice chests ? I'm driving 8 hrs to get home...
Cool
I'm cheap so I have the crew fillet my fish. I get ice at the landing and I'm off. I've only got a 2-3 hour drive but then again I don't do add'l filleting and packing until the next day. I figure the fish are on ice for about 15 hours when I begin add'l cleaning/packing. The bags are always frozen solid in the chest(s).
When we get in, I have the processor handle it. I used to take my fish home whole or have the crew do it, but I live in Santa Cruz, so I have the 8 hour drive home also. The last time I had the crew do it for me on the boat was a 3 day trip for me and my girlfriend. It took me about a week to get it all cleaned up(skin and dark meat removed), vacuum sealed and into the freezer. Royal PITA!!! You can have the processors take care of it for you at a pretty reasonable rate ($1-$1.115/lb) and they will vacuum seal your fish for you to take home fresh. This time of year, you probably will have to wait maybe 2-4 hours. It's usually enough time to go get breakfast and head over. When you pick it up, it's ready to eat! Just open the package and wipe off any extra juice. Definitely worth it to me!
One extra benefit of having them do it is that you will miss any morning commuter traffic out of San Diego. Being that you have an 8 hour drive, I'm assuming that you will be staying the night before driving back up again...
Yea, I'm leaning toward the processors. Do you have one you can refer ? I will prob be tired and want to stay and The night and leave Monday fresh... I live in LA... "Lower Antioch" haha. So I've got to go a bit further than Santa Cruz. This is my first foray out of San Diego and an hopping for some beginners luck !
Thanks to everyone for imparting what y'all have learned. I'm soaking it all in.
Cool
I like 5 Star myself. Just remember that if you want the collars, you gotta ask for em and they do cost extra to do. I wouldn't bother with the smaller yellowfin, but if you get into the Bluefin, try to remember to save those! Also, if you do want to go with the processors, make sure that you PUT IN A RESERVATION WITH THEM!!! If they are busy, they will get yours done first. Also, let them know that you are driving back to Antioch. I've seen them make sure to get the guys done first that need to get going.
One more thing: I actually couldn't get all of my fish back up to the Cruz when I drove back. They will ship your fish to you if you need them to! They came in about 3 weeks after I got back, frozen solid. Costs another buck a pound to get em shipped to the nearest airport.
Good luck!!
Sportsmen's processing will probably be there at the landing when you get back. They're located right down the street from Seaforth on Quivira. I walk down there for dinner if I get there early enough. The food at the landing is good too although I haven't tried them since the new mgmt took over back in June.
Cool,
here ya go if you want to call and arrange something with them. They are only a couple hundred yards from the dock.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/29/17022_24_10_19_10_02_48.jpeg)
Brett
I just hit town... going to grab a bite then go down to the marina. Last night I called the seafood / processor and I'm good to go. Now I need to catch some fish...
Thanks
Cool
20lb outfit for those tiny baits and Coltsnipers work. Was on a whole day last Sunday. Got 2 on a glow jig on our first stop. Majority of the people who caught a lot were on 20lb fluoro, small hooks and can cast far. Good luck and enjoy.
Cool,
Sounds like your good to go! Have fun and keep us posted! As a side note, the new management at the cafe at Seaforth is now called the Royal Rooster. Some of the best tacos Ive ever had, and I'm pretty taco savy....If you get a chance let me know what you think ;D...also the roasted corn is out of this world....The guy knows how to make some yummy food....He and "our" Chilie should hook up...
Brett
The only thing I like more than fishing is eating tacos ! I will check the place out when I check in tomorrow...
Cool
Awesome dude! I'm super jealous right now! Have fun and knock em dead!
Wow! A trip hosted by Steve Carson? That's too cool! Can't wait to see your post on the results. I bet there will be much to be learned...you are going to have a blast! 8)
Well, I'm back with the report... first of all , I love San Diego ! It's just to far away from LA...(Lower Antioch)
Seaforth Sportfishing was well organized and treated me (a novice) very well. They even offered to keep my rods and gear in the back while I killed time around the city waiting for my late departure.
Before I left for San Diego I called the Seaforth tackle shop to inquire as to the fishing conditions and what gear I should bring. Carlos hooked me up and said the fish were very line shy and to be sure and bring a #20 outfit, along with something in the middle and a heavy outfit for earning, night or early morning Flat fall work. I thought I was set with my 7.5' custom Sabre rod with a Newell S229-5 for #20 an old 20-50 Fenwick rod with a narrow 112H for #30 a Calstar 6480 with my narrow 113h for #40 and a Phoenix PHD 760X2H with an Avet HXJ Raptor filled with #80... when I got there I found out my #20 rod was not up to the task at hand (a bit to limber) so with direction from Carlos I bought a Shimano Tallus TLC-70MBBL 30-65# rod to pair with my S229-5...
Got to the dock and met a few anglers and talked fish till it was time to board.
Day 1 / Got aboard and all stowed away then Capitan Andrew gave us the spiel on what's what and it was off to my Coffin like bunk. I woke up bout 4:30 ready to go. Seas were nice and flat... I ate a great breakfast burrito. Than Cap yells " Foamers" we all running out to see Tuna jumping in a froth. Deckhand Tommy starts throwing scoops of the small mackerel off the back and port side. I bait up my #20 rig as directed , throw out and within seconds am the first on the boat to hook up. Nice bend on the Tallus line pealing out then SNAP! I reeled in my line to find the hook chewed off. The end of the line was sort of abraded/ frayed. I was told the fish could have takin my bait deep then it's teeth chewed off the hook. Real fast I grab my #30 outfit and as I grabbing bait a guy at the back of the boat gets one on... around the boat over and under for over an hour. Then double gaffed at the back of the boat over the rail comes a #100 plus Bluefin ! I'm Stoked!!! And fishing my little Greenie heart out...
Then a father and son team both hook up within 20 minutes of each other and both land nice Bluefin. The rest of the day was a blur a few more fish caught. Evening comes and the flat falls come out . 2 guys on the bow hook up only to have the fish get off. Then a little Vietnamese kid with dreadlocks (a very experienced angler) hooks one on the flat fall ! Over, under, around and through he's kicking the big fish's butt. About the fifth time around the boat there is a 4 way tangle.. all 3 deckhands are on it, my line is one involved so deckhand X asks for my rod to help unweave the mess. I back off out of the way and watch the frenzy, then I hear a Splash... and yes it's my above mentioned 80# rig deep sixed... now it's frenzy X2. Luckily the big tangle was still there and they were able to fish the $1000 plus outfit out of the abyss...
The fish was landed and eventually won the pool.
Day 2 / woke up to rough seas... I bounced around the galley a bit and felt it coming... I grabbed a bottle of water and headed out to the deck to start the chum line...I donated a handful then heard Cap yell " time to fish"
I rinsed my mouth, grabbed my rod and got to fishing. Tough day, a few smaller Blue fin caught and one Skippy.
Last stop before heading in saw no action.
The first day we fished the back side of San Clemente island. Second day we were about 80 miles out from the harbor looking for the fish. This was my first foray into the world of Tuna and though I didn't land a fish, I learned a lot and will go again next year. By the way this was a Penn sponsored trip with Steve Carson on board with freebies, raffles and loaner outfits for any and all. Heck of a nice guy with a lot of knowledge. He hooked and landed a Blue fin on #15 on the last day... He saw my T4N1 reel and liked it. He really wasn't into hopped up vintage reels though. He was pushing the new Fathom series of reel... ( it's his job)
I have some pics but for the life of me can't get them to post. If one of you "Gurus" want to I'll send you the pics and you could add then to the post.
Cool
Sounds like a pretty good trip, with lots of action !
CooldadE!!!!
Sounds LIKE A GREAT Trip!!!
BUTT we want photos of your trip!!!!
Send them to me, my email is under my Member List name.
I'll and post ASAP.
Thanks.
Wayne
These photos just sent to me from CooldadE!!!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/29/7588_02_11_19_1_30_30_299922036.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/29/7588_02_11_19_1_30_30_29945940.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/29/7588_02_11_19_1_30_30_29992444.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/29/7588_02_11_19_1_30_30_299902268.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/29/7588_02_11_19_1_30_30_29990410.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/29/7588_02_11_19_1_30_30_29945571.jpeg)
Thanks for sending these photos!!! Any trip is best enjoyed viewing photos!!!!!
Wayne
Agreed ! Thanks Wayne for posting the pics for me...
Cool
Quote from: CooldadE on November 02, 2019, 08:44:24 PM
Agreed ! Thanks Wayne for posting the pics for me...
Cool
CooldadE!
My pleasure Buddy Boy!
Keep fishing,
Wayne
Thanks for the story on your 2 day trip. The pictures tell a lot of story. That Wayne is a pretty nice guy but maybe it's been awhile since he has seen blood.😝.
Sounds like fun. What I've learned from multi-days over the last few years is that you get better each time around. You'll have more fun next year and be an old pro the year after that.
SD is always worth it.
Good on ya
The Man
We saw "Foamers" at every stop... it's quite a sight ! Never got close enough to cast into them though...
On a side note, I only saw a couple of private boats out there. I think the smaller boats could have swooped in on the Foamers and done well...
Cool
Thanks for the report Cool, as Ron said you will be a step ahead next year, that Wayne bloke, not a bad fella, when he is asleep, cheers Don.
Quote from: CooldadE on November 02, 2019, 06:25:37 PM
...I hear a Splash... and yes it's my above mentioned 80# rig deep sixed... now it's frenzy X2. Luckily the big tangle was still there and they were able to fish the $1000 plus outfit out of the abyss...
The reel has been broken down and rebuilt by now, yes?
Hmm... I didn't think of that. I thoroughly rinsed it with fresh water and dried it. Y'all think I should completely take it apart for a clean and lube ? I'm not up to the task with this reel and would need to send it out or take it to the Boss for the clean and lube...
Thanks...
Cool
Yes, or you will find that $600 reel to be a $60 reel :)
Gotcha !
TKS
Cool
swing by the house and we'll crack it open!
Quote from: CooldadE on November 05, 2019, 03:19:05 PM
...I thoroughly rinsed it with fresh water and dried it...
Any incident with full SW submersion requires full overhaul. IMHO, the first step on the boat would have been removing the reel from the rod and dropping it into a bucket of FW. Empty the first soak and follow up with a second FW soak. Two rounds, IMHO, would be sufficient to dilute most of the SW inside the reel and then continue fishing for the rest of the trip.
Back onshore, a full rebuild ASAP...unless, of course, you had a need for $600 door stop.
Gotcha x2...
Cool
Nice report. You captured the action well. Sounds like a fun trip!
Hey Cool,
So the fishing was somewhat tough huh...I was following the fish counts. Sorry you had to start the "chum line" :o
Were you chumming the tacos from the landing? I hope not!!! ;D
Brett
Quote from: bhale1 on November 06, 2019, 04:48:19 AM
Hey Cool,
So the fishing was somewhat tough huh...I was following the fish counts. Sorry you had to start the "chum line" :o
Were you chumming the tacos from the landing? I hope not!!! ;D
Brett
Brett...
The fishing was somewhat tough, luckily the killer tacos I ate from The Royal Rooster were already digested by the time I made my donation to the Sea... Tough fishing is ok, it makes it that much better when the stars align and that fish comes over the rail. I have always been a patient and optimistic guy... my time will come, and I'll eat the still beating heart of my first Tuna. Unless it's a Skipjack...
Cool
Hey man, don't poo poo those skippies. They're good!
I messaged the Boss about my Davie Jones Locker Avet... he was gracious enough to let me bring it by today for a checkup / service. Cleaned and lubed with only one sad bearing that he replaced. Repacked the braid and added new top shot... he also cleaned, lubed and replaced the original drag disks in my TLD5 and TLD10 reels and loaded them both with fresh mono.
The man is Aces ! But we all knew that...
Cool