2015 alantani.com/spirit of adventure charter
short version - great boat, great crew, great charter group, lots of tackle, very few failures, almost everything worked, nearly full limits of yellowtail, great fish processing, and computer screen still moving at 3 feet every 10 seconds this morning and it's hard to type because my hands are still cramped up trying to hang onto the rods and reels. great trip!
sunday - june 14th, 2015
check list - rods, reels, extra line, terminal tackle, ice chests, giveaways, clothes, shaving kit and, um, a few bottles ..... ;D
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_03_121881689.jpeg)
everything neatly packed. :-\ this year i'm going to try a new spinner from okuma, the raw. it will match up nicely with the the phenix hybrid spinner that i just ordered.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_05_12189649.jpeg)
while the rest of country is suffering floods, most of california is in drought mode.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_07_12190669.jpeg)
it's a long drive from saratoga to san diego.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_09_1219138.jpeg)
hit a couple of spots of heavy traffic, but overall not so bad.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_11_121921689.jpeg)
a few locals hanging out at parking lot? nope, those are our guys, starting at 3pm!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_13_121931437.jpeg)
my co-worker, ben tsutaoka, on his first (of many) long range trip.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_14_12194772.jpeg)
miguel's is only a block away, so everyone headed over at 5pm. i've decided we need a sponsor from the beverage industry. meet lee from santa cruz, aiala from palm sprimgs, jeff from san jose, mark so cal, and jimmer wisconsin!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_16_12195533.jpeg)
joey from the fisherman's warehouse, mike from georgia, wes from san jose, ben again, and my brother ed from hayward.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_18_121962428.jpeg)
now mind you, we "started" at 3pm and it's now 7pm. joe from san francisco is waving hi!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_20_12197971.jpeg)
this will be joey's first long range trip. he and a couple of the other younger guys will be designated "gofer's," but mostly they will be reeling in fish for us when we get too tired!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_22_12198985.jpeg)
a few more dinner shots (literally)! i went straight back to the hotel and crashed out. a few others were not so fortunate!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_24_121991504.jpeg)
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monday - june 15th, 2015
a quick breakfast at denny's and back out to the landing. meet warren and scott, both from southern california.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_28_122011876.jpeg)
we will start loading at 10am.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_30_12202421.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_33_122041285.jpeg)
ed and mike are marking off 10 rod holders for everyone. by popular demand, everyone is getting 10 spots.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_36_122051054.jpeg)
we had ALOT of stuff to give away on this trip. many thanks to okuma, phenix, boca bearings, jerry brown, smoothdrag, mysticparts.com, p-line, penn, rapala, prochallenger, jon vadney custom rods, vintage offshore tackle, ultimate upgrades from bryan young, keta's kustom parts, tiburon and mr. tank himself, sal!!!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_38_122062015.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_39_12207365.jpeg)
those of you that have been on board know that the spirit of adventure has a rack just behind the bait tanks on the rear deck. this one is all mine! here are the loaners for the trip. the rod arsenal is made up of 12 phenix black diamond hybrids, four plain black diamonds, two calstar grafighter 700L's, and five of the old heavy fiberglass calstar westcoasters for dropper loop.
the reels assortment is made up of four makaira 10's, four makaira 8's, four andros 5 II's, six antique progear classic series 501's and five TLD 20 two speeds. they are all spectra-backed with jerry brown's hollow-core or alan chui's hollow thunder, a tony pena knot to a 25-30 yards berkeley big game topshot, and a 5-turn uni knot to a 3/0 ringed owner gorilla j-hook. drags were all set to 25-33%, the TLD's were strung with 60# topshots, the mak 10's were strung with 40# topshots and everything else was strung with 30#.
no gear or knot failures that i know of for this entire trip!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_41_122081015.jpeg)
the captain loaded up with a nice load of sardines for bait and anchovies for chum.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_43_122091790.jpeg)
a reminder that san diego is a navy town!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_45_122102239.jpeg)
through the jaws at noon, sandwiches for a quick lunch, corey's "melt in your mouth" ribs for dinner. lee's son, nicholas, is seated to the left of his dad.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_47_1221159.jpeg)
ken, randy, jack, joe, tom and wai!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_49_12212144.jpeg)
mike, aiala and scott.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_50_12213655.jpeg)
dean, dave and ben.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_52_122141092.jpeg)
everyone got settled in for a very smooth ride down hill. it was mike pate's birthday so we had a scotch (or two), finished up rigging and most turned in early.
tuesday - june 16th, 2015
first call for breakfast!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_54_122151076.jpeg)
instead of running close inshore and fishing the kelp, mike decided to head straight for san benitos island to take a shot at the yellowtail. mid morning he said the water cleared up enough to troll so evan and jp put out the boat gear. wes is inspecting.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_58_122171019.jpeg)
just hangin' out on the back deck! joel, mark, jimmer, ed, mike and joey.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_20_59_12218198.jpeg)
you will see this stuff again. joey brought it with him. a good friend of our's, rick berg, makes alot of odds and ends for local rockcod. we are going to have a "rick berg" challenge later in the week.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_21_01_122191032.jpeg)
joel and mike ludovico from roseville.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_21_05_12221187.jpeg)
ed and randy.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_21_07_122221719.jpeg)
wai having pasta for lunch.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_21_09_122231263.jpeg)
big dave!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_21_11_1222421.jpeg)
scott, aka sundaytrucka.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_21_14_12226115.jpeg)
let the carnage begin! it took 27 hours from the time we left the jaws at san diego for warren to stick this san benitos yellowtail!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_21_16_12227203.jpeg)
the guys actually let me fish a little!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_21_17_122282449.jpeg)
you will be seeing a few more photos of scotty!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_21_21_122301430.jpeg)
https://youtu.be/tRvnpcGnUcY
jeff stokes and deckhand, scotty. it's nearly impossible to get either one of these guys to ever smile!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_22_29_122311275.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_22_39_122341678.jpeg)
deckhand evan with mike pate (aka wally-one-five) and his new favorite combo, the mak 10 and the phenix bdh 700h.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_22_32_1223261.jpeg)
https://youtu.be/DshdK3SVd8Y
the sorcerer's apprentice!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_22_41_12235404.jpeg)
on the flat fall jig. i don't think this one was getting away!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_22_46_122361668.jpeg)
https://youtu.be/5zm1AN_8zjY
one of ben's first yellowtail ever! you'd think he'd be a little more excited!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_22_53_12238984.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_22_56_122392006.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_22_58_12240884.jpeg)
https://youtu.be/g7_YoZIes_A
now, here's somebody that gets excited!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_01_122411463.jpeg)
meet tim dang! it's great to have these kids along. if you hook into a fish and you get tired of cranking, just hand it off to one of the kids!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_04_12242978.jpeg)
joel is 75 years old. he had a slow start last year, but held his own very well this year!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_07_12243115.jpeg)
warren, hooked up again!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_09_122441214.jpeg)
ken's magic number is 8. that would be 8 casts and 8 fish in a row!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_12_122451707.jpeg)
ah, there's that smile!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_15_12246663.jpeg)
randy had to work a little harder, but he still got 'em!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_18_12247474.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_26_122502280.jpeg)
the captain was dragging back two fish at a time from the bow. iron was very productive on this trip.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_21_122482127.jpeg)
ed, jack, lee and randy.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_29_122511976.jpeg)
yeah, we had a heck of time getting this gut to smile!
an eleven way hookup!
https://youtu.be/V0Np_bHbVZ4
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_31_12252143.jpeg)
ed and jp!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_33_122531133.jpeg)
yowza!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_35_122542333.jpeg)
jack with his penn torque!
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warren!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_41_12257736.jpeg)
we had some sea lion problems.
https://youtu.be/CRvPYWfGMak
https://youtu.be/H2v5Y928aY8
fishing will never be the same. tim is officially spoiled!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_43_12258375.jpeg)
we fished from 3pm until 8pm and stuck 121 yellowtail. a great day by any measure!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_51_122621101.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_53_122631495.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_57_12265559.jpeg)
alaskan salmon for dinner!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_23_59_122661735.jpeg)
we anchored up at san benitos and did a little night fishing!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_24_00_122671234.jpeg)
we had a bait stealer all night. he picked me up twice, then picked up randy, so we switched to a wire leader.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_05_1226856.jpeg)
wednesday - june 17th, 2015
first call for breakfast!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_08_122692034.jpeg)
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(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_12_12271763.jpeg)
still fishing san benitos today.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_14_122721104.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_19_122742451.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_22_122751817.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_24_12276415.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_27_12277356.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_29_122781932.jpeg)
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(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_38_122811711.jpeg)
here is the morning video. i counted 15 guys hooked up, some more than once.
https://youtu.be/lnvB0xoP7OA
fish tacos!!!!!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_55_122871782.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_25_57_122882445.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_01_122892353.jpeg)
in the afternoon we tucked into the shallows between two of the islands.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_04_12290651.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_12_12293513.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_21_12296698.jpeg)
ed has a little mishap.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_30_123001625.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_27_122992359.jpeg)
a few minutes and i got him back in business!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_33_123011244.jpeg)
afternoon snack!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_36_123021590.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_38_12303750.jpeg)
breaktime! we've just added another 200 fish to the pot and guys are feeling pretty good!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_42_12305871.jpeg)
joey discovered surface iron!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_26_46_123072207.jpeg)
first call for dinner!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_27_51_123082067.jpeg)
thursday - june 18th, 2015
eggs benedict!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_27_52_12309606.jpeg)
somebody has been hiding from the camera all week!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_27_55_12310485.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_27_57_12311473.jpeg)
evan getting ready to start a chum line.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_27_59_123121852.jpeg)
took a little time to sneak up to the wheelhouse and get a photo of our two captains, bryan and mike!
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finally made it to cedros!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_28_01_123131390.jpeg)
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(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_28_36_12332862.jpeg)
we stuck 327 yellowtail at san benitos and would add another 40 at cedros.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_28_03_123141781.jpeg)
pastrami sandwiches for lunch.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_28_13_123191860.jpeg)
we had a laser minnow challenge yesterday and randy pauly won the jigmaster 99, but the last thing he needs is another jigmaster so he donated it back. today is the rick berg challenge where you have an hour to fish with something out of the bucket. first place is the hotrodded narrow frame 6/0 and second place is the jigmaster 99 conversion.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_28_14_123201540.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_28_16_123211967.jpeg)
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(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_28_20_123231407.jpeg)
our challenge was only an hour long. mike ludovico took second place with a 1.15 pound blue perch and scott rodriguez took first place with a 20 pound yellowtail.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_28_40_12334592.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_28_42_123352451.jpeg)
first place!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_10_51_12405136.jpeg)
https://youtu.be/5tL5L0yZMvs
dave picked up a yellowtail on bait.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_28_44_123361421.jpeg)
hamachi sashimi and sake for an afternoon snack!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_29_50_12338821.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_29_52_123392380.jpeg)
38 more yellowtail for the day, 365 total so far, 10 short of limits.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_29_57_123411306.jpeg)
good bye cedros, hello wind and waves.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_20_06_15_11_30_00_12342352.jpeg)
fresh seared yellowtail for dinner!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_06_50_123431292.jpeg)
it was really bumpy that night. a bunch of guys close to the bow had to sleep in the galley. guys were getting lifted off their bunks in the forward cabins. hard night for everyone.
friday - june 19th, 2015
huevos rancheros.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_10_17_123862196.jpeg)
a bunch of rods were knocked out of their holders up on the bow. gotta remember the bungee cords next year.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_06_53_12345402.jpeg)
we headed up the line to san martin bank and mark stuck a nice yellow.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_10_20_123881611.jpeg)
fresh calico sandwiches for lunch today.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_10_37_123971766.jpeg)
yeah, it was a little rough last night.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_10_32_123941804.jpeg)
even the kids were worn down!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_10_34_123951855.jpeg)
at least somebody got some sleep!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_10_39_12398386.jpeg)
well, sleep or no sleep, we're fishing! i'm tellin' ya, they make these boys tough down south. 20 years in the army doesn't hurt, either.
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(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_10_43_12400945.jpeg)
all done, headed for home! the rods and reels were all soaped, rinsed, towel dried, sprayed with corrosion x, wiped down again and packed away. even our personal gear is all packed up and ready to go for tomorrow.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_10_48_124032489.jpeg)
tri tip for dinner!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_10_53_124061023.jpeg)
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saturday - june 20th, 2015
ed and i heard the engines throttle back at 4am and that got us up. we tied up at 5am and we had all of our gear off the boat by 5:30. the 5 star crew was there to off load our fish and it went straight to their processing facility and we went back to denny's!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_7_11_25_124172492.jpeg)
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the guys at 5 star worked like crazy. ed and i were the last guys out and we were on the road by 10am.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_11_48_39_124281587.jpeg)
thanks to sara at 5 star for making our "no tag" format possible!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_21_06_15_11_48_34_1242711.jpeg)
thanks to the captain and crew of the spirit of adventure, to all the companies and individuals that donated prizes for our charter, to 5 star and to all the guys that joined me, some from across the country, that helped make this such a great trip. alan
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Awesome!! Thanks for taking us along in photos.
Looks like a great trip.
Great set of photos this year. I especially like that last one. Wow, those processing guys must really know their stuff. That is alot of meat to cut , package, and organize in just a few short hours. 5 guys 'dressing' 350+fish in 4 hours..thats roughly 17-20 fish/hr or 1 fish every 3-5minutes..roughly.
;D ;D ;D. Alan you do such an awesome jog with the reports. Thanks and looks like it was an epic trip ;D ;D
Bob
Alan, this is more exciting than watching a good movie, thanks for bringing it to us.
All I missed was Aiala in action bringing one in ;D.
Good stuff boss! I'm glad you got to fish as well.
Sal
Sal,
Any chance you can join next year's trip?
Quote from: Porthos on June 21, 2015, 09:36:43 PM
Sal,
Any chance you canl join next year's trip?
I would love to. My wife got on me everyday for a month about me not going on this one, unfortunately it wasn't the right time for me. :(
Quote from: Alto Mare on June 21, 2015, 09:31:38 PM
All I missed was Aiala in action bringing one in. ;D
Sorry about that, Sal. Most of my action came during the initial fishing frenzy Tuesday afternoon, when everyone was hooked up at once and no cameras were rolling... oh, well. (http://www.scouttalk.ie/0images/smileys/shrug.gif)
I'm hoping to schedule an 8-day in October aboard ROYAL STAR... if that happens, I'll be sure to make a point of getting you an action shot. ;)
~A~
Glad everyone made it back safe and caught some fish too. Great Report Boss! ;D
Awesome report...I can't wait to get fishing again...Soon.
Great report Alan!
Thanks so much for putting the whole trip together, it was awesome! I can't wait for next year!
I had a great time. Thanks for putting it together Alan. Loaner rod was awesome.
Great report and photos! Glad everyone caught good fish. I am still chuckling about the Berg Bucket.
-CN
Now that looks like it was an awesome trip with a very cool cast of characters. Thanks for taking us for the ride... I feel like I owe a few bucks for the trip you just took us on.
Hey Randy, did that Pastrami compare to the Katz's sandwich you bought me when you visited a couples weeks ago? Doubt that, but looks like you ate well anyway. ;)
Thanks for sharing with us,
Dom
Alan
I will be the first one to sign up for next year.
Joel 8080
Great trip report!
Thats alot of fishing.......
Alan how did the New Okuma spinner do?
Quote from: Craig N on June 22, 2015, 12:57:58 AM
Great report and photos! Glad everyone caught good fish. I am still chuckling about the Berg Bucket.
-CN
Should be renamed the Rube Goldberg Bucket. What a collection of "lures". It tales a special talent to turn a 2 oz tire rim weight into a fishing lure. Or a 6" piece of conduit.
GA Mike
Looks like a great trip on a great boat at the perfect time with the best group! Congrats and thanks for such a great write up!
Awesome documentary Alan can't wait to see the video!
It is Good Seeing Joel having such a great time! Great Job to everyone!
Fantastic. Looks like a great time had by all. I want to go next year!
I had a great time and enjoyed fishing with everyone! Thanks Alan for putting this together! Here are some videos:
40# Homeguard Yellowtail on a Avet SX 5.3
https://youtu.be/CBNAWzzk8HU
First Yellowtail on Yoyo Iron
https://youtu.be/UpXD_jYgr3U
Alan Tani Hand-off
https://youtu.be/gO__LPR_QeE
Tanks Alan, I wish I cold have made it this trip. It was nice to see the "old crew" and the new faces having a good time.
I'm stoked y'all had a great trip! Good job guys! Joey, who was on the trip, stopped by my place and brought his GoPro so I threw this vid together real quick (watch it in HD)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4TqUa9nls0&feature
We had two celebrities on our trip; Goldfingers Oddjob and Breaking Bad's Walter White
I thought Dolly Parton was a species of trout.
Great trip! Outstanding report-Alan. Wish I could have been there. Maybe next time. That's an awfully large amount of Hamachi!
Outstanding, congrats to all on a great trip and write-up!!!!!
I can't imagine spending 5 days on a boat but it looks like a good time. I have to re-think this long range stuff. Dominick
Quote from: Dominick on June 22, 2015, 04:03:33 PM
I can't imagine spending 5 days on a boat but it looks like a good time. I have to re-think this long range stuff. Dominick
I'd never spent more than 2 days on a boat before this either. Wasn't bad at all. These guys (and gal) made the non-fishing time pass quickly. My biggest hassle was getting to SD (3 hour drive plus 1.5 hour for TSA plus 9 hour flight w/ 1 stop at DFW) and back home. Got home at 2 AM Sunday morning, 18 hours after the boat docked. Ugh! I was a walking zombie all Father's Day.
Mike
Great trip report! At right around 3 minutes of the JV posted video the deckhand gaffs a YT and the YT pulls back :o...gaff overboard! ;D I suppose it was retrieved.
Great Pics and Vids! thanks for sharing all so far.
Steve
pure envy..
I wanna be like you guys when I grow up
It was a good thing that JP's gaffing issue wasn't during his job interview! They all did a great job other than that one time.
Quote from: MarkT on June 22, 2015, 05:23:12 PM
It was a good thing that JP's gaffing issue wasn't during his job interview! They all did a great job other than that one time.
Yea, it looked like a " WHAT THE....?" moment and the video caught it. The rail looked to be 12 feet or so from the ocean surface.
Quote from: Dominick on June 22, 2015, 04:03:33 PM
I can't imagine spending 5 days on a boat but it looks like a good time. I have to re-think this long range stuff. Dominick
5 days is too short but fun.
I did a 10 day last year and it didn't seem too long. On the 5-day it seems that you're just getting into the groove and then you're breaking down your gear.
I've done two 10 day and four 15 day LR trips, my long trips, the longest was 35 days, were research trips.
Quote from: MarkT on June 22, 2015, 06:30:43 PM
I did a 10-day last year and it didn't seem too long. On the 5-day it seems that you're just getting into the groove and then you're breaking down your gear.
I agree with Mark that a 10-day isn't too long, but remember, we had to travel so far this time that fishing didn't even start until 3 pm of the second day. On a 5-day trip when the fish are closer (e.g. summertime tuna) there would likely be a whole lot more rail time. :)
~A~
Quote from: Aiala on June 22, 2015, 06:51:42 PM
Quote from: MarkT on June 22, 2015, 06:30:43 PM
I did a 10-day last year and it didn't seem too long. On the 5-day it seems that you're just getting into the groove and then you're breaking down your gear.
I agree with Mark that a 10-day isn't too long, but remember, we had to travel so far this time that fishing didn't even start until 3 pm of the second day. On a 5-day trip when the fish are closer (e.g. summertime tuna) there would likely be a whole lot more rail time. :)
~A~
Same trip but 10 days would be interesting, it's a 2 day drive to SD for me and 5 day trips do not really make it.
Really looks like a good time and great fishing, I wish I could make one of these trips, but I kinda doubt it will happen it's a long way from Florida and it's got to be expensive to ship those fish back home. The Yellow tail fish look like our Amber Jacks, and they seem to fight similarly but YT taste way better.YT is my favorite Sashimi.
Looks like a great time! Thanks for sharing the trip Alan!
Quote from: anglingarchitect on June 22, 2015, 08:09:23 PM
Really looks like a good time and great fishing, I wish I could make one of these trips, but I kinda doubt it will happen it's a long way from Florida and it's got to be expensive to ship those fish back home. The Yellow tail fish look like our Amber Jacks, and they seem to fight similarly but YT taste way better.YT is my favorite Sashimi.
YT are also a jack.
Quote from: anglingarchitect on June 22, 2015, 08:09:23 PM
...it's got to be expensive to ship those fish back home.
Actually, it's not all that ruinous, (assuming you don't overdo it.) Probably 150-300 bucks would get you a more-than-substantial load of fresh filets. ;)
~
A~
Quote from: Dominick on June 22, 2015, 04:03:33 PM
I can't imagine spending 5 days on a boat but it looks like a good time. I have to re-think this long range stuff. Dominick
Dom, 5 days is nothing and goes by mighty quick. It's a good place to get started. 7 days even better with typically relaxing travel days and calm seas.
Until you have been on one of the LR fleet it's hard to explain how much room there is and how comfortable (for a fishing boat). The SoA is not even the queen of the fleet by any means as compared to Intrepid or Independence etc.
Does it beat a stay at the Four Seasons on Punta Mita with daily fishing for Cows? No, but for probably the most consistent fishing on the West Coast for inshore/offshore species that can be rare catches north of the border it is hard to beat the catching.
Never met a fisherman that didn't have a great time Long Range.
Great yellowtail trip!
Looks like everybody had fun!
John
Can you describe your first hand experience with the Intrepid and Independence? Been wanting to go on both boats for awhile...
Thank you...
Quote from: johndtuttle on June 22, 2015, 09:52:29 PM
Quote from: Dominick on June 22, 2015, 04:03:33 PM
I can't imagine spending 5 days on a boat but it looks like a good time. I have to re-think this long range stuff. Dominick
Until you have been on one of the LR fleet it's hard to explain how much room there is and how comfortable (for a fishing boat). The SoA is not even the queen of the fleet by any means as compared to Intrepid or Independence etc.
What an awesome trip! Thanks for everything Alan!!!!!!! It was nice fishing with everyone!
Quote from: dangalang on June 22, 2015, 04:26:26 AM
I had a great time and enjoyed fishing with everyone! Thanks Alan for putting this together! Here are some videos:
40# Homeguard Yellowtail on a Avet SX 5.3
https://youtu.be/CBNAWzzk8HU
Nice fish dude
Quote from: ahistick on June 23, 2015, 01:01:43 AM
John
Can you describe your first hand experience with the Intrepid and Independence? Been wanting to go on both boats for awhile...
Thank you...
Quote from: johndtuttle on June 22, 2015, 09:52:29 PM
Quote from: Dominick on June 22, 2015, 04:03:33 PM
I can't imagine spending 5 days on a boat but it looks like a good time. I have to re-think this long range stuff. Dominick
Until you have been on one of the LR fleet it's hard to explain how much room there is and how comfortable (for a fishing boat). The SoA is not even the queen of the fleet by any means as compared to Intrepid or Independence etc.
I've been mostly an RP, Shogun and Excel guy over the years since 1983. The reference was intended to be to their size and space. Indy is the biggest* in the fleet and the Intrepid is the newest and the staterooms are the nicest. I have not gone long with them.
They were both recommended to me by David Tan (Fishybuzz) for being especially roomy.
*biggest fishing space
John, just clarifying one thing. The indy is the 4th largest in the fleet. Excel-124', Intrepid-116', Royal Polaris-115', indy-112'.
Creative video Big Tim. Sure looks like fun!
Quote from: Jon Vadney on June 23, 2015, 03:42:14 AM
John, just clarifying one thing. The indy is the 4th largest in the fleet. Excel-124', Intrepid-116', Royal Polaris-115', indy-112'.
Can't tell you where I fished from the USS Baltimore (SSN-704)...SECRET ;D ;D ;D but at 362' she was one of the biggest Long Ranger's in the fleet ;D computers working and i got to be sarcastic... I would love to go long on one of the big boats out of San Diego
Big Tim
Quote from: Marc Fong on June 23, 2015, 03:49:59 AM
Creative video Big Tim. Sure looks like fun!
you should go with next year...Unless life kicks me again I will be there
I can't explain how jealous I am!! I will be there next year!
Quote from: Jon Vadney on June 23, 2015, 03:42:14 AM
John, just clarifying one thing. The indy is the 4th largest in the fleet. Excel-124', Intrepid-116', Royal Polaris-115', indy-112'.
Sorry, to clarify what I meant:
The Indy is reputed to have the largest fishing space of any of the boats in the fleet due to lay out...so, as I understand it the "roomiest" boat in the fleet for fishing (by reputation).
The RED ROOSTER III is pretty roomy, too... 105 feet. But extra size doesn't automatically mean better. (Okay, let's forego the snickers, please.) Naturally everyone has their own preference, but it seems to me that excellent service, comfortable layout and dedicated crew are what make for a first-class operation. My favorite boat isn't one of the behemoths, but she never fails to deliver an exemplary angling experience. :)
~A~
Quote from: Aiala on June 23, 2015, 03:20:11 PM
But extra size doesn't automatically mean better. (Okay, let's forego the snickers, please.)
:o :D :D :D ;D I couldn't help myself. Dominick
Quote from: Dominick on June 23, 2015, 03:47:24 PM
:o :D :D :D ;D I couldn't help myself. Dominick
Figures... You, sir, are incorrigible. ::)
~
A~
I like the RR II.
The only other long range boat I've been on other than the SOA is the Excel. I have another 10 day scheduled on it. It has lots of tackle storage and rod holders. Being bigger and wider means there is no overhang of the house over the rod holders along the side so you can put 10'ers there if you want. The sides along the house are wide and you can easily get around someone on the rail even if they're on a fish. There are 4 cabins on the main deck. There are bathrooms & showers downstairs and they have de-humidifiers so there is no humidity issue. They have a free soda fountain in the salon. The foods even better than the SOA! The stairs going up to the top deck aren't as steep as the SOA and there are a bunch of rod holders up there too. I kept my specialty rigs up there. It has wi-fi and satellite tv. the wi-fi is really slow but worked for email.
Quote from: MarkT on June 23, 2015, 04:03:29 PM
The only other long range boat I've been on other than the SOA is the Excel. I have another 10-day scheduled on it. It has lots of tackle storage and rod holders. Being bigger and wider means there is no overhang of the house over the rod holders along the side so you can put 10'ers there if you want. The sides along the house are wide and you can easily get around someone on the rail even if they're on a fish. There are 4 cabins on the main deck. There are bathrooms & showers downstairs and they have de-humidifiers so there is no humidity issue. They have a free soda fountain in the salon. The foods even better than the SOA! The stairs going up to the top deck aren't as steep as the SOA and there are a bunch of rod holders up there too. I kept my specialty rigs up there. It has wi-fi and satellite tv. the wi-fi is really slow but worked for email.
I rode her to Clarion back when she was new, and still called
QUALIFIER EXCEL. Sounds like there have been a lot of improvements since then. I am in total agreement that downstairs bathrooms are a HUGE plus (seniors + steep stairs + rough weather = no fun) but there are many other boats with that convenience. As for tackle storage, yeah, it's almost endless. You could bring 50 outfits if you want; it's sort of like fishing from Radio City Music Hall. ;)
~
A~
Hey Aiala, I for one am interested in the reels you utilized on the trip. (This IS a reel site, eh?)
I was wondering if the 980 broke out of the bag at all. Try any 501's, etc. etc.
Yes, I am living vicariously thru you if you please.
Thanks, Ran
Hey, great pictures and video Alan! It's almost as though I were there. Again, many thanks to the excellent organization and thought put into this trip, all who donated prizes, and the fish cleaning crew at Five Star. Also a big thanks to captain Mike and the crew of the Spirit Of Adventure for making this trip a memorable one. And lastly to the members of your charter group, new friends and old that made this favorite trip the most desirable out there.
Best regards, Warren
Quote from: Rancanfish on June 23, 2015, 04:54:40 PM
Hey Aiala, I for one am interested in the reels you utilized on the trip. (This IS a reel site, eh?) I was wondering if the 980 broke out of the bag at all? Try any 501's, etc. etc. Yes, I am living vicariously thru you if you please. Thanks, Ran
Randy, let's see if I can remember... okay:
A 501 with blue AccuPlates and Black Pearl SS bars (very nice!)
Newell G229-F (tuned by Fred, therefore perfect)
970 Mag Power (on a Seeker jig stick, cast like a dream)
Long Beach 68 (circa 1940s rebuilt by me, dropper loop rig)
113H (purple/silver, the one I keep on my Mr. Shark plinth)
Avet 2-speed (my pink go-to reel for rail cranking)
Penn 704 (classic spinner #1)
Penn 750SS (classic spinner #2)
Mitchell 404 (classic spinner #3)
Tried them all out, but caught my fish on the 501 and the Avet. Had a fat YT on the 4/0, but it got stolen by a sea dog... oh, and a short ling on the Newell. I don't recall what rig I was using when the nuisance barracuda moved in. 8)
~
A~
By late Tuesday afternoon, I stopped giving Aiala a hard time about not having longer power handle replacements for her shorter Penn balanced handles. ;)
Quote from: Porthos on June 24, 2015, 03:10:14 PM
By late Tuesday afternoon, I stopped giving Aiala a hard time about not having longer power handle replacements for her shorter Penn balanced handles. ;)
Much appreciated, Wai... but you're right, of course. I
need those power handles! (There's a profound difference between being a purist and an idiot.) ;D
~
A~
The fish's interface with the reel is the drag so you want it smooth and strong. Your interface with the reel is the handle so you need it comfortable and effective. Alan's power handles are both!
Quote from: Aiala on June 24, 2015, 03:26:08 PM
Quote from: Porthos on June 24, 2015, 03:10:14 PM
By late Tuesday afternoon, I stopped giving Aiala a hard time about not having longer power handle replacements for her shorter Penn balanced handles. ;)
Much appreciated, Wai... but you're right, of course. I need those power handles! (There's a profound difference between being a purist and an idiot.) ;D
~A~
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D And thanks. I've never even caught an albacore yet so I don't want to be outgunned when I get my act together and go on one of these trips. Or to Mexico. I just discovered I have a friend that has offered to pick me up at the airport in La Paz and have me in a boat in a matter of hours.
Quote from: Rancanfish on June 24, 2015, 03:59:30 PM
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D And thanks. I've never even caught an albacore yet so I don't want to be outgunned when I get my act together and go on one of these trips. Or to Mexico. I just discovered I have a friend that has offered to pick me up at the airport in La Paz and have me in a boat in a matter of hours.
Uh...why are you logged into the forum and NOT on a plane to La Paz? ;)
Quote from: Porthos on June 24, 2015, 04:10:13 PM
Uh...why are you logged into the forum and NOT on a plane to La Paz? ;)
Yeah why not??? If you need some big game equipment contact me. Dominick
Quote from: Aiala on June 24, 2015, 03:26:08 PM
Quote from: Porthos on June 24, 2015, 03:10:14 PM
By late Tuesday afternoon, I stopped giving Aiala a hard time about not having longer power handle replacements for her shorter Penn balanced handles. ;)
Much appreciated, Wai... but you're right, of course. I need those power handles! (There's a profound difference between being a purist and an idiot.) ;D
~A~
The balanced handles are sweet for fishing lures all day, but bait reels need cranking power. At first the power handles feel a little, well, unbalanced...but become very natural quickly. ;)
Quote from: johndtuttle on June 24, 2015, 04:36:17 PM
The balanced handles are sweet for fishing lures all day, but bait reels need cranking power. At first the power handles feel a little, well, unbalanced...but become very natural quickly. ;)
John, I have enough reels that I can keep a sensible mix; but in general --although I enjoy throwing iron-- I do find myself fishing bait more often than lures. :)
~
A~
Quote from: johndtuttle on June 24, 2015, 04:36:17 PM
The balanced handles are sweet for fishing lures all day, but bait reels need cranking power. At first the power handles feel a little, well, unbalanced...but become very natural quickly. ;)
Sort of like getting used to scotch... :D Dominick
Quote from: Dominick on June 24, 2015, 07:45:19 PM
Quote from: johndtuttle on June 24, 2015, 04:36:17 PM
The balanced handles are sweet for fishing lures all day, but bait reels need cranking power. At first the power handles feel a little, well, unbalanced...but become very natural quickly. ;)
Sort of like getting used to scotch... :D Dominick
Now you lost me Dom. Zin I could do.
Quote from: Dominick on June 24, 2015, 07:45:19 PM
Sort of like getting used to scotch... :D Dominick
Which, I daresay, will leave you... unbalanced. ;D
~
A~
Quote from: Porthos on June 24, 2015, 04:10:13 PM
Quote from: Rancanfish on June 24, 2015, 03:59:30 PM
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D And thanks. I've never even caught an albacore yet so I don't want to be outgunned when I get my act together and go on one of these trips. Or to Mexico. I just discovered I have a friend that has offered to pick me up at the airport in La Paz and have me in a boat in a matter of hours.
Uh...why are you logged into the forum and NOT on a plane to La Paz? ;)
Self employed. I wouldn't be on here right now except I was told my electrician was coming today. Then he texted me and said 2 oclock, I'm still here.
nice photo from ken!
the rabble.....
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_24_06_15_9_02_31_124621012.jpeg)
Murderers row... Well, if Ken were there too.
Motley Crew if I ever saw one. ;) Hey! You talkin' to me! :D
I meant to do that!
(Actually, I think this is Ed's "the morning after the night before")
Beautify America - send this crowd to Mexico!
GA Mike
Nice pic!...love your quote mike.
Quote from: Wally15 link= topic=14568.msg150270#msg150270 date=1435227915
Beautify America - send this crowd to Mexico!
GA Mike
LOL, HAHAHA
That is hilarious Mike!
Good times with you on the trip, you made me laugh a lot.
Quote from: alantani on June 25, 2015, 04:04:01 AM
nice photo from ken!
the rabble.....
(http://alantani.com/gallery/12/1_24_06_15_9_02_31_124621012.jpeg)
Great Mugs!
That's me, Jeff (stoked4fishin) in the black hat. This was the best fishing trip I've ever been on, bar none! Alan setup a great trip. Great boat, crew, fishing buddies, and of course fishing! I made a bunch of new friends as well. I am planning to go next year for sure!
Thanks again Alan!
Hey Jeff, I never gave you anything for the two spools of spectra you gave me. If you want the omoto reel I won, it yours. Just pm me and I'll send it over, I know it's not a 220 Newell, spool is almost the same size though.
Warren
Quote from: stoked4fishin on June 26, 2015, 12:32:39 AM
That's me, Jeff (stoked4fishin) in the black hat. This was the best fishing trip I've ever been on, bar none! Alan setup a great trip. Great boat, crew, fishing buddies, and of course fishing! I made a bunch of new friends as well. I am planning to go next year for sure!
Thanks again Alan!
Try to imagine the same trip plus running into White Sea Bass, Grouper and Halibut at Cedros, and running into Tuna and Dorado on the way home!
The good news is that you can even improve on this trip! :D
We had WSB, Grouper, large Calicos, barracuda, ect. & a Halibut last year but struggled with the Yellowtail numbers, we also had a couple of tuna. This year they had phenomenal Yellowtail fishing but little else? Next year I plan to go again and maybe we will hit it all ??? I guess that's why they call it fishing & not catching
A great trip all around!
Hey Warren
Thanks for the offer, but no worries buddy! Put the spectra to good use!
Epic trip once again Alan, many thanks for your efforts and time making this a memorable experience for all involved! I pledge to remain in 'pole position' behind you on the list for next year. Each year gets better, fishing, crew and comradity beyond expectations! Thanks to everyone for the memories of a lifetime.....
Quote from: broadway on June 22, 2015, 01:04:48 AM
Now that looks like it was an awesome trip with a very cool cast of characters. Thanks for taking us for the ride... I feel like I owe a few bucks for the trip you just took us on.
Hey Randy, did that Pastrami compare to the Katz's sandwich you bought me when you visited a couples weeks ago? Doubt that, but looks like you ate well anyway. ;)
Thanks for sharing with us,
Dom
Dom, I don't know of any pastrami that can compare to Katz's, but the Spirit Of Adventure's pastrami was the best that I have ever tasted in Mexican waters, and it was almost as good the second time when it came back up after a few hours of slamming into a nasty chop the night that we headed home from Cedros.
It was great to finally get to meet you after all of these years, and I really enjoyed our time together. I can't begin to thank you enough for giving me that most precious Manhattan commodity...a place to park! I hope that you can make your way out to California sometime soon so that I can reciprocate.
Thanks again for everything,
Randy
Hey Randy, I just filleted some fluke and a sea bass with the knife you and your lovely wife got me and it's just what the doctor ordered, thank you. BTW, pastrami on the second go round would probably be okay if you could figure out how to add the mustard. ;D
I've got a question that hasn't come up yet... Who were the high hookers on the trip? ...Dominick, keep it clean. ;)
I saw the guys who won the prizes, but was curious if anyone kept score as there were come serious anglers aboard that vessel.
Thanks
Dom
I got 18 YT and don't think I was even close. Some folks were just on fire.
Quote from: broadway on June 30, 2015, 02:27:37 AM
Hey Randy, I just filleted some fluke and a sea bass with the knife you and your lovely wife got me and it's just what the doctor ordered, thank you. BTW, pastrami on the second go round would probably be okay if you could figure out how to add the mustard. ;D
I've got a question that hasn't come up yet... Who were the high hookers on the trip? ...Dominick, keep it clean. ;)
I saw the guys who won the prizes, but was curious if anyone kept score as there were come serious anglers aboard that vessel.
Thanks
Dom
Dom, mustard would have been nice but I had plenty of bile to go with the recycled pastrami. I did not keep score, but there is no question that Ken Taniguchi was the hot stick for the trip. He very quietly slammed fish after fish up on the bow, and there was a steady parade of deckhands hauling his fish back to the kill box. It was quite an exhibition.
Randy, did you get your Terez replaced yet? You were on fire there too. I had to get one on the spinner too after the way you getting into them... and one was enough!
Quote from: MarkT on June 30, 2015, 04:45:39 AM
Randy, did you get your Terez replaced yet? You were on fire there too. I had to get one on the spinner too after the way you getting into them... and one was enough!
Thanks Mark. You were hotter than a pistol too. The spinning gear felt strange at first, but once I got used to it, I loved pulling on the rod with my right arm (no pun intended). I haven't taken the my two-piece Terez back yet, but I will the next time that I go down to So. Cal. I hope that we get to fish together again on Alan's trip next year, if not sooner.
Randy
speaking of terez rods, did anyone ever see ben fishing with his white terez rods? they were a pretty expensive purchase.
Alan, I remember seeing Ben hot-railing half-way around the boat with a big fish and a huge smile on his face, and I'm pretty sure that he had a white Terez in his hands.
Quote from: Big Tim on June 26, 2015, 01:39:57 AM
We had WSB, Grouper, large Calicos, barracuda, ect. & a Halibut last year but struggled with the Yellowtail numbers, we also had a couple of tuna. This year they had phenomenal Yellowtail fishing but little else? Next year I plan to go again and maybe we will hit it all ??? I guess that's why they call it fishing & not catching
Every trip is different....probably the only trips I have been on that are pretty much consistently the same are 7 day trips in September. If you hit the ridge north of Mag Bay it is pretty much yellowtail limits for the boat, solid tuna action and a smattering of wahoo, dorado and grouper on the maybe 4 of them I have done that time of year.
It should be noted that all of these trips short of 10 days excessive heat is rarely an issue. Yellowtail waters are not extremely warm. If you are catching them you are generally comfortable on the boat and of course the cabin is air conditioned.
Man, what an awesome first trip! I tried to do it all to excess.
Took me about 2.5 days to feel like I was back to normal.
I remember seeing Ken walking from bow to stern a lot!
Seemed like Randy could've used bananas and still get bit.
I probably missed a lot of other action, having too much other fun.
Thanks to all of you!