In the spirit of Ohana...
It occasionally crosses my mind —as a termite will a hotplate— that, setting aside the annual SOA charter, more than a few of our AT members are experienced veterans of 8-day (or longer) trips. Which being the case, it occurs to me that it might be useful to know whenever a member signs up for one of these extended voyages, the idea being that others would have an opportunity to follow suit if so inclined. It's always agreeable to fish with an acquaintance or two, and if a chance came along to meet some fellow AT-ers, why, so much the better! :)
For instance, at the moment I've reserved two upcoming trips: A June 3rd 8-day aboard ROYAL STAR sponsored by Baja Fish Gear, and a December 11th 10-day aboard EXCEL sponsored by Melton Tackle. Both still have a handful of spots left, and needless to say, it would be grand if anyone else from AT could come along! These longer trips are a sizeable investment, I know, but look at what we spend on tackle! Besides, the fishing —and variety— can be downright incredible. And there are other benefits, too; just seeing the Alijos Rocks is something out of this world. :o
Finally, from time to time the idea has been tossed around of an "old school" trip for those of us who love fishing with classic gear... maybe this would be a way to start forming a core group, so that such a charter could become a reality before Father Time puts it out of reach for some of us. :-\
So, if anyone's got some planned trips in the pipeline, please, let us know. Meantime, happy fishing & tight lines, everyone... go get 'em! ;)
~A~
Great idea!!!!
Great idea Aiala for gathering acquaintances on a fishing trip.
It's always better to have friends scattered around the rails.
Cuts down on the combat nature that sometimes pops up.
The shortest 'long range' trip is 1.5 day ride out of San Diego.
I'm going out with a couple friends on The Prowler Friday night 5/27. Cruise all night, sleep.
Fish all day Saturday. Bluefin, Yellow fin, Yellow Tail. Experienced captain.
Return Sunday morning ... $300. No need for a hotel.
No guarantees but you get to blue water. Space available.
If you're an OG like me ask for a middle bunk.
Steve
http://www.fishermanslanding.com/pages/Prowler.php
I am rapidly getting closer to the day that I will be able to do more than one and done long range trips per year and love the idea of reaching out to AT members to fish with. We had a fantastic time in Morro Bay and though I love my Central Coast, I hear the calling of the South ;D Soon I hope to meet more of you on the rail. Aiala...some day we will fish together ;D
BT
I've been fishing on the Loftus and Martin 15 Day trip on the Red Rooster III every March for the past several years. Most of the passengers are regulars but there are always a couple newbys on each trip. We're not spring chickens and while here are some **very** good fishermen (not me!) in the group, everyone who fishes hard and fun is welcome. No one uses what I would call classic tackle, unless you consider Two Speed Penn Internationals classic; Avet and Accurate reels are most common. The target is cow tuna and we always catch lots of wahoo as "by catch." Drop me a PM or go to the Red Rooster website and follow the link to Loftus and Martin if you want more information.
it's a little early in the season, but i can talk to annemarie about an 8 day trip in august 2017.
Quote from: akfish on May 18, 2016, 12:49:09 AM
I've been fishing on the Loftus and Martin 15 Day trip on the Red Rooster III every March for the past several years. Most of the passengers are regulars but there are always a couple newbys on each trip. We're not spring chickens and while here are some **very** good fishermen (not me!) in the group, everyone who fishes hard and fun is welcome. No one uses what I would call classic tackle, unless you consider Two Speed Penn Internationals classic; Avet and Accurate reels are most common. The target is cow tuna and we always catch lots of wahoo as "by catch." Drop me a PM or go to the Red Rooster website and follow the link to Loftus and Martin if you want more information.
My very first 8-day back in the late 80's (early 90's?)was aboard the RRIII... it left the day after Christmas, and was called the "New Year Special". We went to Alijos, and I caught so many fish it was ridiculous, including second jackpot with a fat grouper (bottom fish counted in those days). Fun as all get-out... and to this day, the most hellacious ride uphill I've ever experienced; more than 24 hours of holding on with all fours to keep from flying around like a cork in a washing machine. I really liked the boat... she's big, solid, lots of fishing room, comfortable salon and nice staterooms. I'd ride her again with pleasure... but not to the islands. Been there, done that, and my cow fever is a thing of the past. ;)
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A~
Well you almost had Dominick convinced until you mentioned that ride. ;D
Well, you can get that bumpy ride just coming back fro the Rocks on an 8 day. One of the main reasons I fish the March trip is that it is after the hurricane season so it shouldn't get too ugly and usually doesn't. That said, last year was ugly: Almost 3 days of what seemed like foot seas on the ride home. It wasn't fun, but at least I had lots of wahoo and tuna -- including a couple almost cows -- in the hold to think about.
Quote from: Rancanfish on May 18, 2016, 04:28:29 AM
Well, you almost had Dominick convinced until you mentioned that ride. ;D
Dang... and I was so looking forward to seeing him in that purple Speedo! :o :D
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A~
Just signed up for a 3-day aboard POLARIS SUPREME, leaves Thursday August 25th returns Sunday August 28th. This charter is billed as "Sadie Hawkins/Seeker-Sponsored", led by noted lady angler Baja Bev, who is (of course) also an AT member: http://www.bajabev.com/ :)
Needless to say, I am greatly looking forward to this voyage! POLARIS SUPREME is one of the premier SD long-rangers, AND for once I won't be outnumbered by the men 35-to-1, or something. ::)
I'm hopeful that by then we'll have YFTs and dorado in local range, as well as the ever-reliable YTs. There are still 11 open spots, and guys are definitely welcome... if you can stand being outfished by a bunch of girls! ;) :D ;D
~A~
I'm a big BajaBev fan from wayback!
She actually has a book too, Aiala. So I now own books from two lady anglers!
There's currently 1 spot left on the Dec 11th 10 day. I'm sorely tempted to sign up, fishing Alijos has always been a bucket list item of mine.
I'm not that impressed with the trip descriptions on the Excel website. It doesn't even say where the trip goes. Is there any additional info published anywhere about the Dec 11th Melton Tackle trip, Aiala?
I better wait till my arm and shoulder gets fixed before I tackle a cow. Once I'm somewhat healed, I might sign up as a fill-in if all the spot are gone. My Christmas present to myself.
Looks like they rent decent tackle.
Bah Humbug
Mike
Quote from: Rancanfish on June 30, 2016, 12:58:39 AM
I'm a big BajaBev fan from wayback! She actually has a book too, Aiala. So I now own books from two lady anglers!
Randy, yup! I'm going to buy and read
The Lady and the Lingcod before we go... it'll be extra-cool to fish with a fellow author. ;)
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A~
Quote from: Wally15 on June 30, 2016, 01:46:30 AM
There's currently 1 spot left on the Dec 11th 10 day.
Mike, that spot just opened up from a cancellation; the trip has actually been sold out for many weeks. If you're truly interested, I'd jump on it. If something happened and you couldn't go, I am sure there will be a waiting list to take your place.
Quote from: Wally15 on June 30, 2016, 01:46:30 AMI'm sorely tempted to sign up, fishing Alijos has always been a bucket list item of mine.
As it should be; Alijos is something almost beyond description. Even if the fishing isn't always wide-open, just being out there is an otherworldly experience.
Quote from: Wally15 on June 30, 2016, 01:46:30 AMI'm not that impressed with the trip descriptions on the EXCEL website. It doesn't even say where the trip goes. Is there any additional info published anywhere about the Dec 11th Melton Tackle trip, Aiala?
Don't worry about the descriptions, those guys are fishermen, not writers. (Well, except for Tim Ekstrom of the
ROYAL STAR.) The trip will go where the fish are, probably down to the Thetis Bank, Uncle Sam, Mag Bay, and out to Alijos. Here's Melton's relevant web page: http://www.meltontackle.com/big-game-fishing-charters/2016-december-melton-tackle-excel-long-range-trip.html
Quote from: Wally15 on June 30, 2016, 01:46:30 AMI better wait till my arm and shoulder gets fixed before I tackle a cow.
Odds of hooking into a true "cow" of 200 or more pounds are pretty remote, although anywhere up to 150 is certainly possible. (I caught a 125 on a ten-day aboard
ROYAL POLARIS.) Besides, if you get tired, you can always hand it off to me. ;D
Quote from: Wally15 on June 30, 2016, 01:46:30 AMOnce I'm somewhat healed, I might sign up as a fill-in if all the spot are gone. My Christmas present to myself.
Aw, c'mon, just go for it. We would have an absolute blast, I promise! ;)
Quote from: Wally15 on June 30, 2016, 01:46:30 AMLooks like they rent decent tackle.
That's never a problem. And I've got plenty of extra outfits, too. :)
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A~
Quote from: Aiala on May 18, 2016, 03:18:23 PM
Quote from: Rancanfish on May 18, 2016, 04:28:29 AM
Well, you almost had Dominick convinced until you mentioned that ride. ;D
Dang... and I was so looking forward to seeing him in that purple Speedo! :o :D
~A~
Speedo has a 4th of July sale going. I'm going to stock up. ;D Dominick
Quote from: Dominick on June 30, 2016, 08:28:43 PM
Speedo has a 4th of July sale going. I'm going to stock up. ;D Dominick
Dominick!
IF that is the case, then I've had my LAST glass of red wine at your home! :P
Then I'll burn my eyes out of the back of my head.
Wayne
Quote from: El Pescador on June 30, 2016, 09:44:07 PM
Quote from: Dominick on June 30, 2016, 08:28:43 PM
Speedo has a 4th of July sale going. I'm going to stock up. ;D Dominick
Dominick!
IF that is the case, then I've had my LAST glass of red wine at your home! :P
Then I'll burn my eyes out of the back of my head.
Wayne
You lack an appreciation for style and grace. ::) Dominick
Quote from: Dominick on June 30, 2016, 08:28:43 PM
Speedo has a 4th of July sale going. I'm going to stock up. ;D Dominick
Ye gods and little fishes, can you imagine ten days at sea with Dominick wearing a different Speedo every day?! :o Now
that's a visual you don't want banging around in your head. (http://querytracker.net/forum/Smileys/default/faint2.gif)
But fortunately we're all safe, since Dominick doesn't care for extended long-range trips. Meantime, I am excited and totally psyched that Mike "Peaches" Pate has also signed up for the December
EXCEL Melton Tackle 10-day! How cool that I will have a true southern gentleman to fish with... And who knows? If Neptune is in a generous mood, maybe we'll be able to plant the AT flag on some speedy Alijos wahoo... can't wait! ;)
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A~
Quote from: Aiala on June 30, 2016, 09:55:42 PM
Quote from: Dominick on June 30, 2016, 08:28:43 PM
But fortunately we're all safe, since Dominick doesn't care for extended long-range trips. Meantime, I am excited and totally psyched that Mike "Peaches" Pate has also signed up for the December EXCEL Melton Tackle 10-day! How cool that I will have a true southern gentleman to fish with... And who knows? If Neptune is in a generous mood, maybe we'll be able to plant the AT flag on some speedy Alijos wahoo... can't wait! ;)
~A~
I've been called a lot of things, but "southern gentleman" is way on down the list :)
Now all I have to do (besides pay for the trip!) is figure out what to do with all the fish I hope to catch. Don't plan on bringing much, if any, home. Any SoCal anglers want some free fish for Christmas? Aiala, you get 1st pick of anything I catch. Wai (Porthos), you can have 2nd pick if you want any and can come pick it up. I don't really know anybody else local to SD. If no takers, catch and release where possible.
I want a photo of me with the Alijos Rocks in the background (1 bucket list item down) and hopefully catch a "triple digit" YFT with the requisite photo op. Another bucket list item down. At this rate, I might just die a happy man if my childrens inheritance holds out long enough.
Mike
Yeah I gotta hang with my buddy Dominick on this one. Being on all fours hanging on for hours sounds great but.........
I want to get up early, go fishing, come home, eat fish. When I have a long fight with a fish it's maybe 5 minutes. ;D
I do look forward to a return bout with a Thresher though with my 'TomTedAlanBryanRandyAlanDawn' 113 special. 45 minutes last time before I lost him. Followed him in my Outrage until the line broke.
This sounds like an awesome idea! I don't really know any of you on here, but y'all seem like a good and fun bunch of folks that I'd love to share time on the rail with.
Mike
Quote from: Fishy247 on July 07, 2016, 12:06:20 AM
This sounds like an awesome idea! I don't really know any of you on here, but y'all seem like a good and fun bunch of folks that I'd love to share time on the rail with.
Mike
I didn't know a soul on this website until about a year ago. Found a couple of really great guys on here from SE USA that I've fished with in the Gulf, plus I went on the past 2 SOA trips. Met some wonderful new friends on both trips. It's great fishing with a bunch of professional AND courteous people. Much nicer than the normal fishing crowd you usually find on the head boats around here and on the NC coast.
Mike Pate
Quote from: Fishy247 on July 07, 2016, 12:06:20 AM
This sounds like an awesome idea! I don't really know any of you on here, but y'all seem like a good and fun bunch of folks that I'd love to share time on the rail with. Mike
Excellent, Fishy Mike! And just FYI, I see that one spot has opened up on next December's
EXCEL 10-day, the one Mike P. and I are on. C'mon along! ;)
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A~
Quote from: Wally15 on July 07, 2016, 09:38:00 AM
Much nicer than the normal fishing crowd you usually find on the head boats...
Exactly so... in general, comparing the experience on a squalid "head boat" to that aboard luxury vessels like
EXCEL or
ROYAL STAR is rather like comparing a wet sleeping bag to the Waldorf Astoria. ::) ;D
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A~
Aiala- I wish!!! My finances won't let me do that long of a trip in December....unless maybe I sold a kidney or something...lol!
Quote from: Fishy247 on July 07, 2016, 06:50:30 PM
Aiala- I wish!!! My finances won't let me do that long of a trip in December....unless maybe I sold a kidney or something...lol!
I have a Penn Senator 113 to trade for the kidney. PM me if interested. :D ;D Dominick
Tempting offer Dom, but I use that kidney more than the 4 113's I have now combined....I have some slightly used speedos though....
On a long trip like this, does it stop anywhere to refuel? I guess December is the time to fish? It sounds like a lot of fun. I won't be doing it though. Just curious.
The boats carry enough fuel so that they don't need to refuel, even on longer trips.
December is indeed a good time to fish... as is January, February, March, April... (you get the idea.) The only things that vary are the destinations; in general, during the summer months the fish are closer to home, so the time necessary to get to them is shorter.
And yes, it is indeed a lot of fun! :D
~A~
Even on a 16 day trip they don't have to stop... not even for more beer! Sometimes you do have to make bait.
Okay, so it appears that the 2017 SOA has already been fully subscribed, seemingly overnight. That's great, and I hope nobody got shut out, but if they did, and have any inclination to upgrade to a slightly longer 8-day, the ROYAL STAR has a Tiburon-sponsored trip leaving on Friday, June 2nd. (Returning Saturday, June 10th.) I'm already signed up, and there are currently 17 spots available. Cost is 2450.00, which comes out to 306.25 per day. (Just to compare, at 1700.00 the SOA works out to 340.00 per day, so you can see the STAR's trip is also quite reasonably priced.)
Here's the STAR's link: http://www.royalstarsportfishing.com/schedule.php I've been fishing this fine boat for going on two decades, and she offers a top-notch operation in every respect.
Needless to say, it'd be mighty slick to assemble a cadre of experienced AT long-rangers; and just imagine how much Tiburon gear we'd bring aboard! :D
Anyway, something to consider during the long winter hiatus. :)
~A~
ah, I really wish I could do these kinds of trips. It was my original goal when I started on sport boats only late last year.
On my last full day trip I got extremely sea sick, it was the first time actually out of the 8 total trips I had done previously. Had to be on my birthday of all times too, purchased a new rod and reel just for the occasion. One of the more embarrassing moments I've had. Now here I am, in a dilemma. REALLY itching to fish, and having a high sense of fear about getting back on anything more than a half day. :'(
Hoping someday I can build up to a multi day trip, it's something I've wanted to do even as a child. The paranoia in the back of my mind feel almost debilitating.
There are many remedys for seasickness. Check with your local pharmacy. Some of them have to be started to use the day before your trip. Don't look down, look at the horizon. Eat light & nothing greasy. Stay hydraided before going. Stay away from the back of the boat where the exaust fumes are. I hope that helps some.
Mudman, I can tell you that many, MANY anglers on the long-range boats use --and swear by-- the scopolamine patch: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682509.html
The principal side effect they mentioned was some dryness in the mouth... easily compensated for with beverage of choice. ;)
~A~
Lotsa people get over it after 'bout 1-2 days, a very few never do. To be honest it's an extreamly miserable condition to be in. I've been like that fora day ana-half, one time odda three trips and then it passed.
Gfish
Mud man, honestly that is one of my greatest fears. But I try not to think about it. I use a half patch (yeah, I know I'm not supposed to cut it but I sterilized the scissors before cutting. A whole patch is too strong. I renew a couple of days later. I have lost the patch sometime and didn't even realize it. I guess my body got used to the motion.
Just remember to always stay hydrated.
I know this is a serious condition, but I think most of it is mental.
I served in the Navy and took some serious waves.
The only thing I did was kept food on my stomach. Nothing else.
That first step on land was a shocker.
Once you get your sea legs, you are not used to solid ground.
Thanks everyone!
Aiala, I'll give the patch a try.
Part of me is wondering, if it could have just been that one time. However I'm paranoid to take the risk again- trying to confirm on another day trip. But if I do get sick once more, it would be misery all over again. I'd like to keep my odds of getting sea sick to a minimum. Something I find helpful on the way back, was having someone to talk to.
Shark Hunter, you may be right about the mental part. When I was chatting it up- it took my mind off the sickness. While I did still feel awful, having someone to talk to helped a ton.
Bryan, how can you tell if the patch is too strong?
I'm willing to try whatever it takes, fishing is too fun to miss out on due to fear.
The meds are too strong when you cannot even swallow from dry mouth.
I don't experience sea sickness but after multi days at sea I sure have trouble walking on dry land for the next week.
Quote from: Bryan Young on October 31, 2016, 10:22:38 PM
The meds are too strong when you cannot even swallow from dry mouth.
Wow! Had no idea it could be like that. I tend to drink a lot of water normally, but I'll watch out for this. Can't wait to hit the water again.
Quote from: David Hall on October 31, 2016, 10:36:12 PM
I don't experience sea sickness but after multi days at sea I sure have trouble walking on dry land for the next week.
I experience the drunken land walk even from half day boats. :)
My favorite part is trying to go to sleep on land while you stil feel the bed rocking. If it is gentle I "rock" myself to sleep without moving. If my brain is rocking a little more aggressively it is all I can do to lay down.
Ron