This will be the first of two long range trips on the spirit of adventure. the guys on the trip last year had first crack at spots for this year. the trip will run with 24 again. the total cost for the boat alone is $77,000, not including tip, fuel surcharges, licenses or processing. divided 24 ways, the cost for the boat alone is $3208. adding a 17% tip comes out to $3750, so that is what i will be charging for this trip. the deposit for this trip is half, or $1875. my address is 12362 ted court, saratoga, ca 95070. thanks! alan
1. Alan Tani - Saratoga, CA (paid in full)
2. Warren Hamachi - West Covina, CA (paid in full)
3. Ed Tani - Hayward, CA (paid in full)
4. Wes Tsutsui - Morgan Hill, CA (paid in full)
5. Jack Bradley - San Francisco, CA (paid in full)
6. Mike Pate - Leesburg, GA (paid in full)
7. Gabriel Nuriel - Orlando, FL (paid in full)
8. Bill Barella - Crestline, CA (paid in full)
9. Jeremiah Nuriel - Orlando, FL (paid in full)
10. Mike McBurney - Ajo, AZ (paid in full)
11. Ariella Nuriel - Orlando, FL (paid in full)
12, Bud Turner - Ajo, AZ (paid in full)
13. Bobbie Haskell - San Jose, CA (paid in full)
14. Ed Hood - Mountain View, CA (paid in full)
15. Don Scheel - Santa Clara, CA (paid in full)
16. John Oliver - Jurupa Valley, CA (paid in full)
17. Stanley Dutro - Rancho Cucamonga, CA (paid in full)
18. David Scott Merrick - Phelan, CA (paid in full)
19. David Shane Merrick - Phelan, CA (paid in full)
20. Dennis Baxter - Half Moon Bay, CA (paid in full)
21. Peter Yang - Rancho Cordova, CA (paid in full)
22. James Park - Huntington Beach, CA (paid in full)
23.
24.
Wish I could make it. Next year.
Todd
Ok, I'll bite! How do I sign up? Checks in the mail. Hey Bill I'm goin'.
Woohooo! Warren glad you can make it. Bill
Gentlemen, good evening! our trip is a little less than 2 months away. i'll need to send in the balance of the payment for the boat in the next several weeks. several of you are paid in full. for those of you that have an outstanding balance, please send a check in the next week or so.
also, i'm going to need some help again. we are three guys short so far. if you can think of anyone that would be a good fit and would be interested, please let me know. i would really like to avoid the same situation as last year. we have two more months to find three more people. that should be doable. if not, i may ask for help from you this time. thanks for your understanding.
for those of you that paid the regular deposit, the balance would be $1875. call if there are any questions or potential candidates. thanks a million!!!! alan
If anyone wants to share a room at the Sea Harbor 1 October, let me know. I got the military rate $152.
Mike Pate
Mike
I'll take you up on that offer if it's OK
Jack
Quote from: natch! on September 04, 2024, 03:05:47 AMMike
I'll take you up on that offer if it's OK
Jack
Done deal! I arrive SAN at 3:24 so I should get to the hotel around 4. Might take a short booze detour at the Class VI store at the NEX. I'll text you the reservation info in case you get there earlier.
Pate the Grate
I should be arriving in SD in time to pick you up at the airport.
I'll get the info later.
Jack
I will be driving down very early on the 2nd with John (Brewcrafter), hoping to arrive around "OH God, it's freakin' early" (0300hrs) and camp out in the parking lot. Parking should be wide open at that time of the morning. Bill
Mike, I was at Bevmo and grabbed a handle of Turkey for you. Save you a trip to the store unless you want other stuff. I am so looking forward to getting away for a while. See you on the 1st.
Ed don't forget some new Nat Geo magazines .... :o
Have fun
Todd
Quote from: edtani on September 06, 2024, 04:23:16 PMMike, I was at Bevmo and grabbed a handle of Turkey for you. Save you a trip to the store unless you want other stuff. I am so looking forward to getting away for a while. See you on the 1st.
Yep, I'm looking forward to seeing all you guys as well. And taking a break from being retired. It's exhausting trying to come up with valid reasons to take a nap.
Dang, with you supplying me with booze, and Alan supplying my fishing equipment, you guys should start declaring me a dependent for tax purposes. Or start calling me a typical entitled CA democrat. Unless you expect me to reimburse you for the Turkey of course. ;D
GA Mike
Mike, pure hilarity. See you in couple weeks.
I was thinking about making another run of hay hooks to drag fish around at the landing. Any interest? Obviously no charge. And yes they are guaranteed to rust like the others. Bill
Quote from: Bill B on September 11, 2024, 10:11:44 PMI was thinking about making another run of hay hooks to drag fish around at the landing. Any interest? Obviously no charge. And yes they are guaranteed to rust like the others. Bill
Bill I love mine!!!!
I will order 40-60 lb 30m fluorocarbon spools. They are 20 bucks each if anyone needs them. If anyone wants lighters for a reason, let me know—weight and how many you want.
cheers,
Ed
Hi Bill, yes, I would like a hay hook and thanks!
Will do brother :d
6 days and a wake up....
Signed me up for a hook
Damn, I better start to get ready! Looking forward to fishing with everyone! - john
How many rods ppl bringing?
Usually too.....many.
Quote from: R46chevy on September 26, 2024, 02:31:17 AMHow many rods ppl bringing?
I have 10 in the line up. Bill
Quote from: R46chevy on September 26, 2024, 02:31:17 AMHow many rods ppl bringing?
4 would do it but no one brings only what they need..... that's no fun.
I'm sure many outfits never get wet.
Todd
Hopefully Hurricane Helene will not affect my travel plans from ATL to SAN in 5 short days. Even though I'm 100 miles inland from the FL Panhandle, I'm centered in the projected path. But I'm as prepared as I'm gonna get. Break out the popcorn and let her rip.
Only 6 years ago (2018) I was on the SoA 8 day when Hurricane Michael took almost the same path and wiped out our condo at Mexico Beach FL and did major damage to my house outside Albany. At least I don't have the condo to worry about anymore.
It would be nice to ship some of the 6-8" of projected rainfall out to CA to help with the fires.
I'm not bringing any rods. I do have a case of chartreuse hand grenades for when the bite is slow. Redneck fishing!!!
GA Mike
Peaches is representing me.
Quote from: thorhammer on September 26, 2024, 01:02:54 PMPeaches is representing me.
You need to invite me up to Kerr Lake for some striper action. Haven't fished that lake in about 50 or 60 years. We called it "Bugs Island" back when I was a kid.
The Tarheel Thrasher hasn't had much action since I sold the FL condo. Did take it to Nags Head/Ocracoke a few months ago for some YFT fishing at the canyon. Got skunked, as did most of the other 50+ boats out there. Then the wind picked up and we cancelled day 2. 30 hours of driving for 12 hours of fishing.
James Madison?????!!!!!
Mike
According to Windy it's going to be a little sporty....Bill
Notice I said repping "Me"; not the alma mater... we looked like an alma tomater. You're welcome anytime; popper bite has picked up!
Windy updated and it's looking MUCH better...Bill
Look at the Windy App for Florida Gulf coast. Now that's "sporty". Hope the Ohana are doing OK! - john
Getting ready.
Check those foot screws !!
Have fun.
Todd
Go get em team!
Thanks Todd, I have my Nat Geo magazines. Oh man, one month they featured Neanderthal Hotties. I became aroused.
Quote from: edtani on September 29, 2024, 01:32:19 PMThanks Todd, I have my Nat Geo magazines. Oh man, one month they featured Neanderthal Hotties. I became aroused.
The crack of dawn probably gets you thinking lewd thoughts.
Mike
Like Tony Orlando's back up singers?
All that's left is the duffle bag.
And Ed, I'm glad you're not my cellmate this trip :o
On the Excel, we're currently 70 miles North of Benitos heading south at 10 kts, probably to the Ridge!
Have a safe and productive trip Mark.
Go get'em Mark. We will probably pass you in a couple days. :fish
Good luck mark, maybe get a sniff of the lower banks
I would be surprised if Mark doesn't end up at Alijos at some point, the points are getting good catches out there! - john
We're going to the Ridge, 13 or 23 spot depending on who's there. Someone's at the Rocks already. We should be at the Ridge around 10 am Tuesday. We're currently off San Augustin pt at the SW corner of Cedros Island.
Quote from: Hardy Boy on September 28, 2024, 10:32:13 PMCheck those foot screws !!
Have fun.
Todd
i found one that was loose. did you actually remember that?
anyway, it was on an okuma andros 5II. the reel foot screws were loose. the screw is a 3mm. had some oval head 5-40 machine screws the diameter is actually 3.175mm and i just rammed it in. it's holding and i'm going to call it good. um, this would not be a standard recommendation, by the way. :-\
Quote from: Wally15 on September 29, 2024, 07:05:26 PMQuote from: edtani on September 29, 2024, 01:32:19 PMThanks Todd, I have my Nat Geo magazines. Oh man, one month they featured Neanderthal Hotties. I became aroused.
The crack of dawn probably gets you thinking lewd thoughts.
Mike
mike, you need a roommate? ;D
Quote from: MarkT on October 01, 2024, 12:05:37 AMWe're going to the Ridge, 13 or 23 spot depending on who's there. Someone's at the Rocks already. We should be at the Ridge around 10 am Tuesday. We're currently off San Augustin pt at the SW corner of Cedros Island.
this would be a good time to develop engine trouble.
Yes I remembered the screws. I borrowed that reel last year.
Todd
Rods are bundled, tackle bag is loaded, milk crate is ready, duffle bag is packed, truck is washed, liquid libations packed, is it time to go fishing yet 8)
I will be picking up John (Brewcrafter) tomorrow night and we will be at the landing around 0330 hrs. Probably wont make Denny's in the AM, my truck won't be able to securely store the rods to prevent theft. But we will have cold beer if anyone cares to join us.
Billy Boy, nice shop! Where'd you get that OBX Outfitter rod way the hell out there? There were only two of those stores, both near me. They sold in WWS catalogs for a minute tho, I bleeve. I have a dozen.
Hope you guys run into a huge bio-mass on the trip and limit out. I hope to join you guys next year :d
Quote from: thorhammer on October 01, 2024, 01:32:45 AMBilly Boy, nice shop! Where'd you get that OBX Outfitter rod way the hell out there? There were only two of those stores, both near me. They sold in WWS catalogs for a minute tho, I bleeve. I have a dozen.
Brother John, you are correct, its was purchased through a West Marine catalog back in the early 90's. Love that stick for digging reef donkeys. IIRC it came with a Senator 114H. With a Baja Special its perfect. Bill
Quote from: alantani on October 01, 2024, 12:19:25 AMQuote from: Wally15 on September 29, 2024, 07:05:26 PMQuote from: edtani on September 29, 2024, 01:32:19 PMThanks Todd, I have my Nat Geo magazines. Oh man, one month they featured Neanderthal Hotties. I became aroused.
The crack of dawn probably gets you thinking lewd thoughts.
Mike
mike, you need a roommate? ;D
YES I DO!! Someplace quiet, back by the engines. Being from NC, and living in GA, Deliverance is my all-time favorite movie. I'll be bringing a DVD copy on the trip. Ed bears a strong resemblance to Ned Beatty, dontcha thank?? Anybody got a couple of banjos??
GA Mike
Quote from: Wally15 on October 01, 2024, 09:58:36 AMQuote from: alantani on October 01, 2024, 12:19:25 AMQuote from: Wally15 on September 29, 2024, 07:05:26 PMQuote from: edtani on September 29, 2024, 01:32:19 PMThanks Todd, I have my Nat Geo magazines. Oh man, one month they featured Neanderthal Hotties. I became aroused.
The crack of dawn probably gets you thinking lewd thoughts.
Mike
mike, you need a roommate? ;D
YES I DO!! Someplace quiet, back by the engines. Being from NC, and living in GA, Deliverance is my all-time favorite movie. I'll be bringing a DVD copy on the trip. Ed bears a strong resemblance to Ned Beatty, dontcha thank?? Anybody got a couple of banjos??
GA Mike
Bahahahahahahahahahahahahahhah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We're north of the 13 on the upper ridge. All you want 40-76# YFT. I caught a couple of the 40#ers. One on bait, one on a Colt sniper. I gave them both away.
Bloody decks!
That's a blood bath for sure.
Quote from: Bill B on October 01, 2024, 06:00:55 PMThat's a blood bath for sure.
It got much worse. I caught a 60+ on 60# that fought like it was 100#.
That's great news Mark! And the water looks really good in the photos! - john
Miguel's!!!
Nice to see my favorite turd made it.
Quote from: MarkT on October 01, 2024, 05:21:24 PMWe're north of the 13 on the upper ridge. All you want 40-76# YFT. I caught a couple of the 40#ers. One on bait, one on a Colt sniper. I gave them both away.
Mark, I'll take your YFT!
Tear'em up guys!
Quote from: alantani on October 01, 2024, 11:50:28 PMMiguel's!!!
Looks like a great group. Have fun and get them.
Have fun!!
Quote from: Keta on October 02, 2024, 01:42:36 AMNice to see my favorite turd made it.
Yeah I like Jack ! ::)
Todd
Gud luk & Gud fishin!
Good morning!
Looks better than my morning!
Same for mine
Mine too nothing but stupid construction meetings all day for me. :d
Went to Denny's to shoot the sh*t with the guys who did breakfast before prepping to board. Got to chat with Ed ("McFly"), Wes, and Ed Tani, all whom I had not spoken to in-person for years. ^-^
Was hoping Georgia Mike would be there but he was otherwise occupied...maybe next time. :)
Then, I drove home to my first Zoom meeting of the day... :(
Day 1 is a wrap. It's 2 AM PT and we're about 1/2 way between SD and Cedros. Incredibly smooth seas, without the engine noise you wouldn't think you were on a boat. Only 19 fishermen made the trip, the 3 from FL canx. Not sure if it was Helene related. Rats, I was hoping to meet them since I live next door in GA.
Fishing is supposed to be incredible this year along the ridge and the Rocks. Supposedly the best in years. We'll see.
GA Mike
Thanks for the report Mike.
Quote from: Keta on October 03, 2024, 12:00:55 PMThanks for the report Mike.
Fast Eddie and I watched Deliverance twice last night. After several Wild Turkeys, lines weren't the only things that were tight. A lot of your relatives were extras in that movie, Lee.
GA Mike
I still have 1 tooth and do not play banjo.
Plenty of room on this trip. Who's captaining the voyage? I sure hope you guys have as good a trip as recent reports have foretold. I also hope it remains as good for the end of the month. Tommy
Me too Tom.
Quote from: tommyd on October 03, 2024, 02:33:30 PMPlenty of room on this trip. Who's captaining the voyage? I sure hope you guys have as good a trip as recent reports have foretold. I also hope it remains as good for the end of the month. Tommy
Luke is the captain this trip. Doing a good job. Scotty came out of semi-retirement to lend his deckhand expertise to this gaggle. I'm hoping to whip JP in a few games of chess on this trip.
100 miles N of Cedros now. Probably decide there whether to hit the Rocks or the ridge 1st.
Much cooler than normal so far. Total overcast, haven't seen the sun since we left SD. But incredibly calm seas.
GA Mike
The Pacific is truly pacific today.
We're headed to Alijos. Be there around noon tomorrow. Good quality Wahoo reports.
Tight lines!
GA Mike
Tell Scotty hi for me Mike.
I hope the shRjs ate not as bad as last year at the rocks. Say hi to everyone Mike.
Todd
Me too, I "played" with 5 large ones before giving up.
Day 3 - arrived Alijos about 11:30. Indy was already there. They left about 3. Troll was slow, picked up a couple of Hoos in the hours before dark. We ended up with 15 Wahoo and 2 keeper YFTs. I got a pb 40 lb Hoo on the troll. Sharks got a few but weren't as bad as other years. Biggest pain was trying to fly line thru the rudder fish. Anchored up overnight in a good position for 1st light fishing.
Update: 3 AM the YT bite was WFO on dropper loops. Woke everyone up and we got about 50 before sunrise. Up to 50 lbs. A bunch 35-40.
3 other boats headed this way. Starting Wahoo fishing.
GA Mike
Day 4 - left Alijos at 3 PM. Best combined catch I've had there. 39 Wahoo, 51 YT, 19 YFT. All good quality fish. Not bad for 19 fishermen.
Headed for the ridge for some 1st light tuna action. Tight Lines!
Georgia Mike,
Are you able to send photos?
Love the reports!
Steve
I tried to send a few pics, didn't work. Plus I'm not much for taking photos. I'll see if Alan can send some.
Mike
My pb Wahoo. 40lbs??
GA Mike
Nice Mike, that is a BLF, Bucket List Fish for me!
Looking at the horizon you guys caught the weather window!
This was the sea conditions the entire way to Alijos. Nice!
Wind and seas picked up today, but not bad at all.
Mike
Nice work. Wish I was there. Alas we are off to France and Italy. Have fun guys.
Todd
Nice!
Way to go Mike!
We were down on the Alijos bank today since there was a couple of boats at the rocks proper. We got 52 'hoo for the day topped off with a 65# and another close to 70. I got 2, one on the troll and one on a bomb. We'll still be here Sunday morning, maybe moving up to the rocks, before taking off to start our way home. Probably fishing along the coast on the way up.
Good going Mark!
Day 5- Epic YFT day at 13. Caught 133 in about 5 hours in the 30-60 lb range. Caught a lot more that were released when people got their processing poundage limit. Gonna stroll around for some YT before heading back to port. Best (quality, quantity, variety) LR fishing trip I've been on since Los Benitos on the SoA in'15.
This kind of fishing will spoil you.
GA Mike
Way to go guys !
Good news, too bad about the hook and back issues for Alan and Bill. I hope both can beat up the YT.
2015 was a good trip, not as good as my '05 trip but getting beat up by cow tuna does not thrill me as much as it did in the past.
Day 6 - 13 was a bust for YT. Only 9 smallish keepers and a bunch of rats. Headed N at noon based on quality YFT reports 30-40 miles away. Don't really need any more tuna, but we'll also target more YT tomorrow. I guess the last 2 days spoiled us.
Update- only caught 10 YFT before we called it a day at 6 PM. 30-50 lbs. A bunch caught and released just for fun.
Headed for port with maybe a couple of YT stops.
GA Mike
Thanks for the reports, Mike. Sounds like a great trip!
Day 7- started slow off Natividad. Then got into a school of smallish YT. 10-15 lbs. Boated 87 in about 2 hours. Fast and furious fishing. About the same number of barracudas ☹️
3:30 - headed for SD. Great trip.
GA Mike
Slime rockets suck Mike.
Quote from: Keta on October 08, 2024, 11:18:44 PMSlime rockets suck Mike.
They can be fun...till you see them!
Kind of like a Carp.
And they shread your topshot.
Fishing is done, they are on their way back, more from Alan and John O
#9 & #19, what's your Wahoo secrets! :d
I bet either 9 or 19 was Warren.
The boat is at harbor
Docking around 6 am
19 James park
9 Bobby Haskell
- John O
Quote from: Crab Pot on October 09, 2024, 11:01:56 PM#9 & #19, what's your Wahoo secrets! :d
Super secret color lure ?
Nice to see "Rock Star", Bobby, pounding the wahoo.
looks like a trip with plenty of fishing action, looking forward for the full reports
thanks guys for the updates :fish
Tried to keep my fish processing fee low, worked somewhat with it just shy of $800. If you are real aggressive on the slide you will get them! Fish is best when given away or consumed immediately.
I made it back home to S GA at 10:30 PM ET. I-75 southbound was clogged with Floridians headed home after Milton cleared out. So I took an alternate route through Columbus GA that added 30 minutes to my usual travel time.
Awesome fishing trip, even if I didn't bring any fish home. Have a couple of freezers full as it is. My pb Wahoo weighed 49 lbs on the processors scale and my biggest YFT was 61.5 lbs with the gills removed. I didn't get a weight for my biggest YT, I'd estimate close to 40 lbs. At 75 years old, that's a good weight range and within my physical limits.
Great fishing with great people is a great combo!
GA Mike
Mike,
Good to hear! Sorry to have missed meeting you and guys when you returned to the dock...had to go to the office North of LAX.
Wai
Had I known you guys were returning yesterday morning I to would have walked over and greeted your return as I was at Fisherman's Landing waiting to hop on the Liberty for a full day trip to the islands. Sounds like you guys had a great trip. My humble apologies, I would have very much liked to meet the Ohana family members.
It was an epic trip! Apparently it harks back to the Golden Days of Long Range Fishing.
YFT were the larger models, anything under 30# were thrown back.
Seeing the size, I had to limit the quantity (10) of YFT to keep the processor bill reasonable. The crew kept saying, "Let that go, plenty of bigger fish on the Ridge". On the Rocks wahoo were plentiful, trolling, bombs, and fly line were all catching fish. I had 3 baits sniped when tossing on the slide. Still getting the hang of fishing the Slide.
We spent the night alone at the Rocks. Peaches came through at 0430 hrs banging on the doors saying YT were on fire. Sorry John, thought you were already up 😮�💨.
Out of the rack I jumped, dressed and headed updeck. Just in time to see Alan walk by with a 100# dropper loop. OK, I can take a hint, pulled the 20VISX out and dropped a sardine. 30 minutes later 5 jumbo yellowtail were tagged. Each 35# plus. Dawn was approaching and Captain Luke wanted to target wahoo.
Spent the rest of the day trolling for wahoo. Towards the end of our day at the Rocks, 7 of us needed a hoo. Capt Luke put out the call that anyone (7) who did not have one were to step up for trolling. In short order 1, then 2, then 3, then 4, then 5, then 6 guys had their wahoo, leaving me alone with 5 trolling rigs out.
Baaawahahahahaaa! All mine! Not to worry, if all 5 went off I was confident someone would pick up the slack. Anyway 1 rod went off and I literally skull dragged my wahoo to the boat in record time. Three guys got their first wahoo on this trip. Congratulations!
Headed for the Ridge, the 13 Spot to be specific. Got there and the jumbo YFT were on tap. Didn't take long to get your fill. Fly line worked well for me. 40#, 50#, and even 80# rigs all got bit.
When everyone had their fill of YFT, some more than others 😉, we headed north for the Natividad or Benitos, not sure which due to the amount of liquid libations involved. But yeah, islands were all around us.
Anyway, found a spot and it was wide open YT! Every cast was a medium size YT. Any color iron was bit. White, scrambled egg, dark green, red crab (yes I did go through that many) and it didnt take long to put the remaining 10 on my tag. Even had plenty of time to help fill McFly's tag. And if I had known I could have filled another 10 fish on Scott's tag.
Highlight of the trip was McFly hooking a jumbo YFT on a fly rod and breaking it as the fish neared the boat. I broke 1 rod and popped the insert of the tiptop on another.
Food was the best I've ever had on the SOA. Seas were amazingly calm, even going uphill. I did spend 1/2 a day with severe lower back pain, but with all the old geezers on board; Advil, Tylenol, Norcos, Lidocaine patches, and heating pad got me back in the game.
Captain Luke, Scotty, JP, Chad, Matt, Steven, and Chef Abe made it a great trip.
If the guys on the 10 coming up, have the luck we did, bring extra coolers, you're going to need them.
I will post pictures as soon as I can gather them up.
Thank you Alan for making this happen. Bill
I reduced my rod collection today as it does not look like we will target BFT. I still have one heavy rig and heavy iron just in case. I plan on fishing slow and long pitch but have 40, 50, 60, 80 and 100 pound rigs for if/when my slow pitch gear gets trashed. I have 2 FTHII15XNLD2 and 1 FTHII10NLD2 reels spooled with 40# JB that should work.
Quote from: Keta on October 12, 2024, 03:14:36 AMI reduced my rod collection today as it does not look like we will target BFT. I still have one heavy rig and heavy iron just in case. I plan on fishing slow and long pitch but have 40, 50, 60, 80 and 100 pound rigs for if/when my slow pitch gear gets trashed. I have 2 FTHII15XNLD2 and 1 FTHII10NLD2 reels spooled with 40# JB that should work.
On my Excel 10 day we went to the lower banks (potato bank). One guy fishing a chunk on 80# was on a big fish for 3.75 hrs before the PCH 74xxh broke above the grips. Be prepared ain't just for Boy Scouts! The biggun's are here already!
Quote from: MarkT on October 12, 2024, 03:48:50 AMOn my Excel 10 day we went to the lower banks (potato bank). One guy fishing a chunk on 80# was on a big fish for 3.75 hrs before the PCH 74xxh broke above the grips. Be prepared ain't just for Boy Scouts! The biggun's are here already!
I have my Seeker 2x4 and a Penn VISX 16 packed, As of now I am leaving my VISX 20 home but you might have convinced me to bring it.
My 212# May 2024 cow BFT was caught on a Penn Carnage III West Coast CARWCIII60100C70 80# rod with a Penn VISX 16. The gear worked flawlessly.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/39/1583-280924005628.jpeg)
Quote from: Keta on October 12, 2024, 04:07:49 AMQuote from: MarkT on October 12, 2024, 03:48:50 AMQuote from: Keta on October 12, 2024, 03:14:36 AMI reduced my rod collection today as it does not look like we will target BFT. I still have one heavy rig and heavy iron just in case. I plan on fishing slow and long pitch but have 40, 50, 60, 80 and 100 pound rigs for if/when my slow pitch gear gets trashed. I have 2 FTHII15XNLD2 and 1 FTHII10NLD2 reels spooled with 40# JB that should work.
On my Excel 10 day we went to the lower banks (potato bank). One guy fishing a chunk on 80# was on a big fish for 3.75 hrs before the PCH 74xxh broke above the grips. Be prepared ain't just for Boy Scouts! The biggun's are here already!
I have my Seeker 2x4 and a 16 VISX packed.
My last cow BFT, only 212#, was caught on a Penn Carnage III West Coast CARWCIII60100C70 80# rod with a Penn VISX 16.
We won't be fishing for those wimpy BFT. If we go down to the lower banks you should be prepared for the big ones!
Are you on the boat? I hope so.
Quote from: Keta on October 12, 2024, 04:21:27 AMAre you on the boat? I hope so.
I'm on the 10 day again this year!
Quote from: MarkT on October 12, 2024, 04:25:12 AMQuote from: Keta on October 12, 2024, 04:21:27 AMAre you on the boat? I hope so.
I'm on the 10 day again this year!
See you next week
258# YFT.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/39/1583-121024042704.jpeg)
321# YFT on the lower banks.
NICE!!! I make fish look bigger because I am short, you made this one look big because it was.
I have seen 2 supper cow YFT and lost one that John Grabowski said was over 300# when the deckhand was slow with the pusher and my line hit the hull.
Thanks all, that was a fun trip. I haven't laughed that much since last year. Mighty insulting what the instigators about my lucky shirt.
You guys might need to include a 30# rig in your arsenal. When we got into the mid-size 12-15# YT's (inside Natividad, Bill. We could actually see the Cedros salt works 15 miles NW) I was fishing 40# fly line and catching mostly barracuda. I got cut off and switched to my trusty but rusty 30# Andros 5 rig and caught mostly YT thereafter. Only time I used 30# the entire trip. But a 15# YT on light tackle is a lot of fun for an old and decrepit fisherman. Like Lee.
GA Mike
I live in GA and have a hard time adjusting to the west coast time change. I'm usually up at 2-3 AM and sit in the galley and read while drinking stale but strong coffee. About 3 AM on Day 4 we were anchored at Alijos and I asked Chad the deckhand who was on night watch if I could try a dropper loop. He said OK, so I dropped down and immediately caught about a 25 lb YT. Dropped back down and immediately caught another one slightly bigger. Went downstairs and started waking people up. Dropped back down and hooked a nice one. Alan was the 1st one upstairs and I handed the rod off to him. It was his rod and reel anyway ;D. Others showed up and it was fast and furious for a few hours. By sunrise we had 50 nice YT's up to 40-45# and started back trolling for Wahoo. The YT bite was still good. We might have only gotten sharked twice the whole time we YT fished. I did not realize Alijos had such quality YT fishing. I'm not as crazy about Wahoo fishing as most other guys. I could have stayed there until we limited out on YT. But I did end up with a pb 49 lb Wahoo on the troll (I weighed it at the landing).
The primary reason we went back to Wahoo fishing at daybreak was that there were 3 other LR boats inbound to Alijos and we needed to get our Hoos and get the Hell out of there.
So I hope you guys try some night bottom fishing when you hit the rocks.
GA Mike
I always bring my 30# rig Mike, and use it as often as it is practical.
https://youtu.be/77JcOiry4tk
https://youtu.be/iFgOwz0D8eE
https://youtu.be/v1yqV2y2lgs
https://youtu.be/FoFN_GM6JVY
https://youtu.be/-mxTlBfN91k
https://youtu.be/mY1Vt65sJ0c
https://youtu.be/uCop7O0lPK0
https://youtu.be/hFl5OlPdFoE
I brought a 30# on this trip, but never used it. 40# was the lightest I used. For yt at the Rocks, 100# was my go to. At Natividad both 40# and 50# we're used, based on which one still had an iron on it.
Yeah lost 4 yoyo's there to various reasons, but surprisingly didn't lose ant lead and even got back one that was lent out. I'm still using Bryan's Mustad Demon Circle hooks. Great hooks, but did see one John straightened on a yft.
For the yft, that were running big, 50# and 80# got the nod. Bill
Quote from: Wally15 on October 15, 2024, 11:43:30 AMI live in GA and have a hard time adjusting to the west coast time change. I'm usually up at 2-3 AM and sit in the galley and read while drinking stale but strong coffee. About 3 AM on Day 4 we were anchored at Alijos and I asked Chad the deckhand who was on night watch if I could try a dropper loop. He said OK, so I dropped down and immediately caught about a 25 lb YT. Dropped back down and immediately caught another one slightly bigger. Went downstairs and started waking people up. Dropped back down and hooked a nice one. Alan was the 1st one upstairs and I handed the rod off to him. It was his rod and reel anyway ;D. Others showed up and it was fast and furious for a few hours. By sunrise we had 50 nice YT's up to 40-45# and started back trolling for Wahoo. The YT bite was still good. We might have only gotten sharked twice the whole time we YT fished. I did not realize Alijos had such quality YT fishing. I'm not as crazy about Wahoo fishing as most other guys. I could have stayed there until we limited out on YT. But I did end up with a pb 49 lb Wahoo on the troll (I weighed it at the landing).
The primary reason we went back to Wahoo fishing at daybreak was that there were 3 other LR boats inbound to Alijos and we needed to get our Hoos and get the Hell out of there.
So I hope you guys try some night bottom fishing when you hit the rocks.
GA Mike
I've been looking at the schedules since hoo fishing depends on boat pressure and moon phase. Interestingly 7 boats will be leaving between the 18th and 20th for trips from 8-10 days. Two of the 10 dayers will be 2 days ahead of us but we are the only 10 day leaving the 20th. Since the captains have all this info at their fingertips I'm sure the decision where to start and finish will be made on the way down but there is a chance we could fish the rocks at the end of our trip by ourselves. Tommyd
The current 8 day gave up on wahoo at the rocks, they only got a few, and went to the ridge for YT. No YFT at the rocks either but at least the sharks weren't there either!
Ok dont hate me but I finally uploaded the videos from the trip.
Bobby with another yellowfin
https://youtube.com/shorts/E7DO4zqnwik
John putting in some work with a Fathom 60NLD2
https://youtu.be/eLRUitbQEKY
I shoulda bounced it! - john
Quote from: Brewcrafter on November 14, 2024, 04:20:41 AMI shoulda bounced it! - john
It would've been a nice YFT in past years! This year, not so much!