Hey Guys, I've organized a 2day rockfish charter for the above dates. These trips and PHENOMENAL in that they fish areas that other boats can't reach.
From Morro Bay, the boat will travel north and fish the coast line in between Morro and Monterey. Obviously there are no "virgin" waters in California, but this stretch of coastline RARELY encounters fishermen. Additionally, this skipper really likes to focus on shallow water thereby giving us the opportunity to use lighter gear. Since this is a 2 day trip, we are allowed to retain 2 limits of fish (20 rockfish, 6 ling cod) over the 2 days. Lingcod approaching 40 pounds are not unheard of, and 20+ pound fish in these areas are fairly common.
The boat that we will be boarding is the Black Pearl. It is 65', has bunks and 2 full heads. Food is not included but is offered (hot galley) for a nominal charge. Bring a sleeping bag/blanket and a pillow. This trip will be limited to 25 people. 25 people on a 65' boat fishing for rockfish will give each fisherman quite a bit of space.
The Itinerary of the trip:
Check in between 8:30 - 9:30pm Friday (the 5th) night at Virg's Landing. The boat will motor out and while out at night, the skipper will use his sodium lights to get us live squid. Obviously, nothing is guaranteed in fishing, but there is a solid chance that we will have a plentiful bounty of live squid to use as bait.
We fish all day Saturday and Sunday morning. The boat returns to Morro Bay between 4 and 5pm Sunday evening. There will be lots of give-aways (one of my custom rods, other swag, etc). I will be contacting my vendors to get some more stuff to hand out and I will update this post with any additional sponsors that hop on.
Cost for this trip is $295. I am running this as an "open charter", but we are treating it like a closed charter until May 20th. What I mean by that is up until May 20th, we get to decide whose on the boat (alantani.com members, other friends/family, etc). Once we reach May 20th, if we haven't loaded the boat, it will be turned into an open charter and anyone from the general public will be welcome. If you are interested in going and have a friend/family member that isn't associated with this site, they are MORE than welcome. This is straight up first-come-first-served.
To get on the trip: Call Virg's Landing at 805-772-1222 and ask to speak to Pamela (an absolute sweetheart by the way). When you speak to her, tell her you would like to get on the June 5th 2day rockfish trip aboard the Black Pearl and that Jonathan Vadney told you to call. She will take your credit card information and book you onto the trip.
The Boat:
(https://scontent-2.2914.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/21774_911769712218966_45327017523192392_n.jpg?oh=2d8eb35d0039849bebbb7bfd1e787bfe&oe=5598FCEC)
That sounds like a solid trip! I will have to see about going on this, work it out with the schedule. What kinda gear do you think would be good for this trip?
i don't have a june schedule yet, but i will try to get the time off!!!
Gear wise, I'd being a 20/25# setup and a 30# setup. That would cover everything.
I hope you guys can make it!
Let me see what I can do...sounds like fun.
Sounds great. We fish that area from the shore.
Most of it involves rappelling down. Some of it quite sketchy but I have a great climbing partner ;D
Lots of Lings, Grassys and Cabs,
I will have to see about my schedule.
With my son getting married next Sat. I kind of have a full plate right now..........
Recommended trip guys!
I've never gone long out of Morro Bay but have fished south of Point Sur (not for the faint of heart on a Private Boat).
This stretch of water sees very, very little fishing due to the lack of safe harbors between Morro and Monterey and the prevailing wind and current being right onto the rocky coast. If the weather comes up it is brutal to get home in a small boat and serious biz if any mechanical trouble = very rarely fished in the 20-50 mile zone from the harbor.
This trip will show you what California fishing was like 50 years ago.
65' feet of sportfisher will make it dreamy. ;)
I'm going to try to make this but won't know for sure until closer to the deadline date. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I can't wait! Jonnybravo, screw your schedule! You need to get on haha! John Tuttle, you should try to go as well. It would be great to share the rail with ya! Theswimmer, it would be awesome to meet you so I hope your schedule will allow ya to go.
Bryan, you have no excuses, you need to be on this trip :P
38 pound lingcod caught last year on one of these trips
(http://i.imgur.com/9KnhJqt.png)
I fished with that guy the week after he got the Monster Ling. Also on this trip is a chance at a few small reds, ect...
(http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx277/timliddle/fathersday011.jpg) (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/timliddle/media/fathersday011.jpg.html)
(http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx277/timliddle/fathersday014.jpg) (http://s763.photobucket.com/user/timliddle/media/fathersday014.jpg.html)
Daaaaaaaamn! I'm gettin more and more pumped up. Small reds....I see what you did there ;D
Nice fishies Big Tim!
I wanted to add a bit to this trip. I have fished Moro Bay/Virg's since the early 1980's and my favorite trips were the real 2 day trips. This is what we used to do. Leave Friday night, fish all day Saturday then anchor up in San Simeon and fish the shallows all the way back on Sunday. The boats and captains are different but what Jon says is true "Most boats can't reach this area". I believe Rick is the Captain and does like the shallows an I believe he will put you on fish & I do believe Halibut would be a targeted species as well, especially by Rick ?. I hope my money is right by then as I want to go too.
Big Tim
Thanks for all the info Tim! My only ventures to Morro have been for albacore and I did a bunch of trips back in the day on both the Admiral and Princess. I hope you can make it, I'd love to share the rail with ya!
Quote from: Jon Vadney on April 23, 2015, 01:30:12 AM
Thanks for all the info Tim! My only ventures to Morro have been for albacore and I did a bunch of trips back in the day on both the Admiral and Princess. I hope you can make it, I'd love to share the rail with ya!
I miss the Admiral..90 or 95' boat. They used have a large BBQ on deck and John Rowley was as good as they come. Many a late night parties on that boat ;D The new owners tried to purchase Virg's a few years back and wanted the Admiral (now in Alaska I believe) as well even knowing she needed repairs. Denise ?? wanted to keep the Virg's fleet intact. In the archived photo albums I am on the deck of the Mallard with Capt. Taylor, crew and fisherman with 180+ 20'+ Albacore at our feet...1990 +/- ...The deck hands were casting out and handing them off and we didn't even know who's gear we were fishing with. Great times, great beers and screamin' PENN drags ;D ;D
That's awesome man! The most ridiculous albacore trip I ever had was on the princess. We left at night as usual, motored out around 100mi in some disgusting weather. I remember my buddy's dad who was on his first albacore trip, running out on deck at night in nothing but his boxers and socks to throw up LOL. Well we started trolling and I was in the starboard corner on the first rotation. My buddy's dad, who has never caught a fish that fights harder than a salmon, stands next to me and goes "what now...?" I give him my slide rod (8' stick with a fishtrap) and tell him to stand next to me. I turn my clicker off and tell him "if I get bit, I'm gonna tell you to drop that lure in the water, let it go back like 30', put the reel in gear and hang on". He nods and not 2minutes later line starts pulling off my reel. I tell him to drop the lure, he does and he gets instantly freight trained. I yell hookup and start to fight my troll fish. I will never forget my buddy's dad screaming "I LOVE YOU JON!" Over and over as he fights his first tuna haha. We never trolled again that day. The fish came to the boat and we put 140 fish on the deck before 8am. Almost all of the fish came on iron with like 60# test LOL. I caught 14 fish with the smallest going 25 and I had one pushing 45
hahahahah...we hit with everything in the 0 dark 30 and I could have tossed a bare hook...Rough seas, puking (I was still drunk I think). Stumbling & bumbling..I think my jigmaster was first to be spooled!!! My freind Alan and I had 24 in the back of my 64' long bed chevy packed in ice coming back to Fresno dripping water and blood all the way. Great memories Jon ;D
finally got a june schedule, and i won't be able to make this one. good luck, guys!!!!
Quote from: alantani on May 08, 2015, 05:44:43 PM
finally got a june schedule, and i won't be able to make this one. good luck, guys!!!!
>:(
The boat is filling up so if you wanna go on this trip, give the office a call!
Here is the report from Sunday a 2 day trip.
05-10-2015, 2 Day, 66 Rockfish, 154 Vermilion Rockfish, 132 Lingcod, 156 Copper Rockfish, 43 Cabezon
I heard the jackpot ling was 15.5 lbs.
Oooh, this is the one you were talking about over at Dominick's, right?
Let me check a few things/ cross my fingers for how my house refi is going. Would love to make this happen if I can.
Ron
I will not be able to make it but will be down there to meet you guys at the docks.
Quote from: theswimmer on May 12, 2015, 08:36:42 PM
Here is the report from Sunday a 2 day trip.
05-10-2015, 2 Day, 66 Rockfish, 154 Vermilion Rockfish, 132 Lingcod, 156 Copper Rockfish, 43 Cabezon
I heard the jackpot ling was 15.5.
22 fishing.
Quote from: newfuturevintage on May 12, 2015, 08:54:14 PM
Oooh, this is the one you were talking about over at Dominick's, right?
Let me check a few things/ cross my fingers for how my house refi is going. Would love to make this happen if I can.
Ron
Yessir! I'd love to have ya on there!
Quote from: theswimmer on May 12, 2015, 08:36:42 PM
Here is the report from Sunday a 2 day trip.
05-10-2015, 2 Day, 66 Rockfish, 154 Vermilion Rockfish, 132 Lingcod, 156 Copper Rockfish, 43 Cabezon
I heard the jackpot ling was 15.5 lbs.
Wow....straight up limits of lingcod
IM DOWM FOR THAT! Hahaha
I keep checking my gear. Can't wait
Seekers on board and they are going to send out some Tshirts for everyone on the trip. The rod I am giving away is a Seeker as well. Get on and get some goodies!!!!! Only 7 spots left!
You can now book online:
http://virgslanding.com/sportfishing/
Time off request put in at work!
Fingers crossed that:
a) I can get out of work,
and
ii) there's space left on the trip by the time I do.
DONE.
I am in!
Looks like there's 5 slots left.
Ron
The Black Pearl is a beautiful vessel. Spoke with the captain and he was giving me the rundown of their overnight trips. I wish I could make it. Sounds like a blast.
Just a quick post to see if anybody's coming down from or through Oakland that might want to car pool. Shoot me a PM or post if you would be, and maybe we can figure something out!
i sure wish i could join you guys. take lots of pictures!!!!!
It looks like the trip is booked up! I'll definitely be taking lots of pics and I'll be sure to post them up here. I look forward to meeting everyone whose going!
Quote from: Jon Vadney on May 29, 2015, 11:05:36 PM
It looks like the trip is booked up! I'll definitely be taking lots of pics and I'll be sure to post them up here. I look forward to meeting everyone whose going!
You are going to have a blast. It was a great crew on the boat we went on. Take the flat fall jig. It was doing very well for me toward the end.
I'll give it a try! A few spots opened up as one of my friends who was going had a death in the family and his group (dad+brother) and to back out. If you wanna go, you can book online: www.virgslanding.com
Quote from: Jon Vadney on June 01, 2015, 09:31:17 AM
I'll give it a try! A few spots opened up as one of my friends who was going had a death in the family and his group (dad+brother) and to back out. If you wanna go, you can book online: www.virgslanding.com
Me too, unfortunately. Same circumstances, too. Really bummed about it, but hey, whatchagonnado?
I just booked myself on the trip.
Driving from San Jose Friday.
Quote from: newfuturevintage on June 01, 2015, 08:05:44 PM
Quote from: Jon Vadney on June 01, 2015, 09:31:17 AM
I'll give it a try! A few spots opened up as one of my friends who was going had a death in the family and his group (dad+brother) and to back out. If you wanna go, you can book online: www.virgslanding.com
Me too, unfortunately. Same circumstances, too. Really bummed about it, but hey, whatchagonnado?
I'm sorry to hear that man :( I hope we get to share the rail in the future.
Quote from: Jon Vadney on June 01, 2015, 09:31:17 AM
I'll give it a try! A few spots opened up as one of my friends who was going had a death in the family and his group (dad+brother) and to back out. If you wanna go, you can book online: www.virgslanding.com
Sorry to hear about your friend, I cant make it this time around. Im hopping we keep this Morro Bay charters open and Ill make it out for later times.
I hear Gary is going. I know he's not going to read this so I'm safe. Lol.
Get him on some monster lingsauruses so he will have something to compare with Salmon fishing.
Have fun. Will not be able to meet you at the docks. Need to be in LA. My mother-in-law is going in for surgery so we need to be down there...unfortunately, until Tuesday.
Quote from: Jon Vadney on June 03, 2015, 07:31:26 AM
Quote from: newfuturevintage on June 01, 2015, 08:05:44 PM
Quote from: Jon Vadney on June 01, 2015, 09:31:17 AM
I'll give it a try! A few spots opened up as one of my friends who was going had a death in the family and his group (dad+brother) and to back out. If you wanna go, you can book online: www.virgslanding.com
Me too, unfortunately. Same circumstances, too. Really bummed about it, but hey, whatchagonnado?
I'm sorry to hear that man :( I hope we get to share the rail in the future.
Thanks, Jon. We will, definitely want to get out there one one of these trips, it sounds like a blast!
A great trip to everybody! May you encounter better action than I did this morning at shadow cliffs in an inflatable kayak (my, uh, 'consolation prize'? for not being able to join y'all).
gentlemen, good hunting.....
Have fun and let the competition begin.
Go get 'em, fellas! FISH ON! :D
~A~
Hi John.
Let us know if you are planning on organizing any more of these 2 day trips again this year to the same spot. Would like to join in and fish that part of the coast.
Thank you
Greg Fox