Returned recently from a Long Range trip..still haven't figured out how to download photos from a digital camera but did take a few with an IPad for those that might be interested.
We left SD Jan 25. On our way, assembled our tackle
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After almost four days of travel, including a morning of awesome Wahoo fishing at Alijos Rocks for over seventy fish, Clarion is on the horizon.
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A great sundown bite, the deck before the the tuna are put down in the RSW tanks.
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A 212# I caught second morning at greylight. Penn 50 VSX, 130# JB hollow line (purchased from from Lee(Keta) and L2L topshot 130# Blackwater fluorocarbon.
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Mike on a supercharged fish that went straightaway on the surface..reel is just about spooled and a back-up rig and float is clipped to his harness lugs and rod/reel is thrown overboard and fought on second rig. After the original combo was retrieved he still had enough drag to bring the fish to the boat...says a lot about greased carbon fiber drags.
Mikes fish gaffed and being waked down to the gate. About 275#..each one of these fish fights a different fight.
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My "half-time" fish caught while listening to the super bowl on the radio.
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After five days and nights of tuna we returned up the line for another day of stellar Wahoo fishing at Alijos.
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Time to head home...the end. Can't say enough about the Captain(Randy), crew, and Jeff and Nestor in the galley. Great trip.
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Great trip -- Congratulations!
Looking forward to some more pics from your digital --
Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Fred
Thanks, Fred. When I get my gear cleaned up and put away I'll try to figure it out ??? GB
Thanks for posting the photos.
Wow! :o :o Epic adventure. You guys get some REALLY nice fish. Maybe someday. :-\
great pics,thank you
ROYAL STAR is my boat of choice... first class operation. I have fished with her more times than I can remember over the past 20-some years. Captains Randy, Brian, and Tim are all seasoned professionals who are dedicated to absolute excellence, and the rest of the crew is always terrific, too. Randy's wife Tracy, who takes care of office business and handles the reservations, is a truly fine lady who makes everything easy and a pleasure.
If this sounds like some sort of over-the-top endorsement... IT IS!! Give 'em a try, you won't be disappointed. Just ask I. Gypsy! :D
~A~
Thanks for the report. Nice pheeshees!
The Royal Star is one of my favorites out of S.D.
Clarion Island is a far way from home, glad you had fun :)
Great report, pics, and trip. I have not followed the long trips much this year, any 300 lbers on your trip ???
John
No 300's John...but I can tell you about the one that got away. Hooked a fish on the kite just as it was getting dark on a double hooked squid. After 45 mins- maybe an hour I started to gain a little line..this was on an Penn 80 with 200 lb. Spectra and leader with rod to match...when this fish said adios and headed for the bottom in 65 fathoms of water, went over the edge, shredded the leader and broke off. No stopping him,nothing we could do. I still feel privileged just to have experienced his power ...awesome, noble fish.
Aiala,x2 on the Star! -GB
Great Report! Glad you got on some fish! ;D
What a trip,i am still trying to scrape together$ for June .
Love the story of the rig that went for a swim!
I sure you had a big fish on the Penn 80. Nice 212 lber, they are fun to catch !! Is that Nacho in the blue shirt in your 212 pic ?? I know he does a couple of trips a year on the Royal Star. I have fished with him several times on the American Angler.
John
brings back great memories!
hard to find a star drag ;D ;D
John, yes that is Nacho. Excellent fisherman and he taught me some new tricks. Never a dull moment with Nacho and Hershey aboard.
WalLacewt-think the only star drags I saw were mine! Used a 113 narrow I built with everything I learned from this site as a bait reel for Wahoo when things slowed down on the bombs and Raiders on my jig stick.Landed six on that reel, but kept trying to find the shift button ;D Used a built 501 on my Sabiki bait maker. Both performed flawlessly. -GB
Gypsy, thanks for posting those photos. Of particular interest was the photo where they are hooking up a secondary rod after the first go spooled. I had heard of this on many occasions but could not visualize it. The photo showing the set-up gave a "boing moment". Thanks for that.
Dom, incredible as it may seem, back in the pre-braid days there were actually instances where two back-up rigs were used...!
I've always wondered what it would feel like to toss a 1600 dollar outfit into the drink... very glad I never had to found out. (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/images/smilies/eek.gif)
~A~
I got you Aiala. I think of putting my Penn International 50 VXW and Fenwick Rod in the drink would give me nightmares. This set up cost me around a grand. Dominick
My pleasure,Dominick...glad I could show an old salt a new trick ;D-GB
I got you Aiala. I think of putting my Penn International 50 VXW and Fenwick Rod in the drink would give me nightmares. (This set up cost me around a grand. Dominick)
you old miser ;D
Quote from: wallacewt on February 15, 2015, 03:45:07 AM
I got you Aiala. I think of putting my Penn International 50 VXW and Fenwick Rod in the drink would give me nightmares. (This set up cost me around a grand. Dominick)
you old miser ;D
;D ;D ;D Dominick
Awesome trip! One of these is on my bucket list.