here's what's up. mel had this wild idea that we should all go fishing. i looked into it and realized that it might actually work out. it's early in the season, but this last summer the san diego long range fleet was catching bluefin out in open water at this time of year. yup, bluefin tuna!!!!!!!! obviously, there is no guarantee that we will have a bluefin bite 3 summers in a row, but a wide open bluefin bite is an experience that you will never forget. and if there are bluefin out there, mike keating and the spirit of adventure will find them!
so i spoke to annemarie keating, owner of the http://www.spiritofadventurefishing.com/news/. she said that they had an 8 day spot open in october, but for me that would never work. then she said that we could actually be trip #0 and start before their regular season. she said that we would have to have a solid charter by april 1st. if not, we could cancel and they would go back to their normal start date of june 22nd and no one would be the worse for wear. so here is where we are......
dates - monday, june 16th, 2014 to saturday, june 21st, 2014. more specifically, most guys will be driving into san diego on sunday, the 15th, we'll have dinner at one of the local restaurants that evening, board the boat at 10am on monday the 16th, fish on tuesday, wednesday, thursday and friday, then return to the dock at 5am on saturday the 21st, and then home.
cost - it's $825 now and $825 on march 15th. everything is refundable until the april 1st, then the check goes in to annemarie. to get a refund after april 1st, you need to find a replacement. the bare bones cost of the trip is $1450, but i am collecting $200 ahead of time for a tip for the crew for a total of $1650. i normally tip 20%, but i've seen guys tip as low as $200 on an 8 day trip and that's just plain embarassing. don't forget the airfare or cost of gas to get back and forth to san diego, plus hotels if you stay overnight, and meals before and after the trip. and fish processing. i will never to back go cutting up these fish on my own again, but you can if you want. getting your fish professionally processed is so much better. i plan to go with sarah at 5 star. they charge is 75 cents per pound. if we go in as a group, it might be a little less. figure if you go in with a mix of 20 fish and a 25 pound average, you have 500 pounds of whole fish and a 30% yield for good quality filets. that means 150 pounds of filet and a processing bill of $375. try not to spend money on tackle. we have lots and we will talk more about that later.
deadlines - i just got back from the bank and set up a separate checking account. i am accepting deposits now. then i will call for the final payment on march 15th. i will send in the check to annemarie on april 1st. until that check is sent, we still have the option of canceling this trip. once the check is in the mail to annemarie, we are all committed. guys will have to by airplane tickets after april 1st. if you cancel before april 1st, you get a full refund. if something happens after april first, you cannot make it and we cannot find a replacement, i will not be able to refund your payment. remember, other guys are scheduling vacation time, working hard to make good husband points with their wives, and paying for plane tickets. once april 1st passes, we are committed.
there is a reason i am doing this. if we are short by a couple of guys and we have to take "walk on" passengers, we could wind up with a couple of idiots and they could ruin the entire trip for everyone. i would rather cancel the trip than have to put up with a couple of total jerks. >:(
tackle - i moved my "spirit of adventure" posts to this board so you could take a look. it is important that you not buy alot of stuff. we have plenty of rods and reels to go around, and lots of terminal tackle as well.
the catch - this can go up for discussion if the group wants, but i would like to change the way fish are distributed for our trip. normally, you tag all the fish you catch. if you are a novice, or just snake bit, you might come back with only a few fish. if you are a good fisherman, if you have sharp elbows, bad attitude and equally bad breath, then you can muscle people out of the way, hog a place at the bait tank, pick one place on the rail and refuse to move, be a total jerk and have the biggest pile of fish at the end of the week.
to get away from that, i want to eliminate the use of tags. on this trip, i would like us to fish as a team. if your are doing well, consider handing a rod off to someone that is having trouble. if you are having trouble, ask for help. i will also not have a jackpot. money has a way of poisoning a trip quickly. i would rather ask the deckhands to weigh the big ones and then have a daily prize for the guy that "hands off" the biggest fish. that's right. if you are on a hot streak and the fish you hand off turns out to be the big fish for the day, you will still get something for your efforts. oh, yeah, and a hand off does not count if you fight a fish for 45 minutes, get pooped and and then hand the fish off to the deckhand to reel in..... ;D
mistakes and other general screw ups - i've been on alot of these trips, but i've never had to run one myself. there WILL be mistakes, so be patient with me. you all know how hard i've worked to keep money issues out of this website. it's money that always ruins things so quickly. it's just not possible this time. but i am confident that this trip will go well, and that's because of all of you!
remember, you cannot book a flight until we confirm that the trip is good to go!
Great post Alan. I really like the way you are setting up this trip.
John
I'll get a check on the way tomorrow.
Alan,
Is the address the same as where we send the check for parts? Thank you for making this a reality. Again, if someone wants to save money on rooms I am staying on the Navy base right around the corner.
Ron
yes, my address is the same. a place to stay would be great! is it possible to set up for this many guys? i totally understand if not.
I've got a call in to Gateway to find out how many rooms I can get on 1 ID. The rooms sleep 3 easy if I remember correctly and they may have some with higher capacity. The cost is $50.00ish a night and the location is perfect.
Ron
thanks! i am concerned about the total cost. this would definitely help!
Good for you Alan on setting this up.
For people that don't know the boat or operation let me say a little. I charter mastered a trip on the SOA (Spirt of Adventure) for 25 years strait and I feel Mike, the owner and operator of the SOA is not only one of the best captians in the SD fleet but is one the nicest people I have met. He and his crew always worked very hard to put us on fish and treated newbies as well as vets with the utmost respect. Most of the long range boats out of SD advertise to get more riders and I have never seen Mike do this. The reason is that almost all of Mikes trips are charters comming back year after year, that should say something about his operation. Mikes wife Annemarie is a sweethart and was always there if I had any questions or needed any help on the business side.
Very interresting on the no tag issue Alan, I have never heard of this in my 30 plus years fishing LR. I'm not that old as I started my LR trips at age 16 but still a unique idea. It is early in the year as my charted left the 3rd week in August but as Alan stated the early BFT bite has been good for the last couple of years. The problem I had wasn't we didn't catch enough fish, it was what was I going to do with all the fish I did catch. You see on most trips my father, brother, nephew, son and myself would go and as you can see 5 people can bring in alot of fish. I would do alot of catch and release, not popular on most of the other LR boats as they want their numbers high to get more riders on furture trips but not a issue on the SOA as most of their trips are already booked. Also the fish processors will cut and give fish to food banks hepling the needy in SD if you find you have more fish than you can use, at no cost to you. I have donated hundreds if not thousands of pounds of fish this way and I feel a little good karma goes a long way.
Edit: here are a couple of pics from one of my charters on the SOA. This fisrt one is of my son and nephew when we got back to the dock.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img84/6277/marks085.jpg)
This second one is of my son on the same trip, 12 at the time, battling with his first BFT. The BTF were in the 40-60 lb class on this trip.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img717/636/marks084.jpg)
several people have told me that they've always wanted to go on one of these trips but had heard horror stories about conflicts on these boats, and not just among the passengers. i want it to be a trip where a husband would feel comfortable bring his wife, or a father his daughter. eliminate the competition and i think it can be that kind of trip.
great plan Alan! just a reminder to all of us, this is a "FAMILY FISHING ADVENTURE" hence the catch is shared equally. :D ;D personally i'm a catch and release angler 99% of the time.
I would love to go, buttttt. I am booked on the Indy during that time. Hope to see you there, have a good trip.
so, mel, you're going to fly up from brasil? ;D
Damn! I'm booked on the Independence for the week before or else I would have signed up!
Questions:
1. Do we need a passport?
2. What is the heaviest weight line recommended? I don't plan on buying any additional tackle, as I know there will be enough to go around, but I want to know which of my gear is suitable for the trip.
George
Quote from: George4741 on November 25, 2013, 06:27:28 PM
Questions:
1. Do we need a passport?
2. What is the heaviest weight line recommended? I don't plan on buying any additional tackle, as I know there will be enough to go around, but I want to know which of my gear is suitable for the trip.
George
#1. Yes, you will need a passport, get it ASAP if you don't have one now.
#2. It sounds like 40 will be the most used but they recommended an 80 for trolling. I can bring a extra Avet 4/0 and roller rod if you want to use one of mine.
yes, passports are required. the office will have to get visas for us as they are required for 2014. most of your fishing will be 30, 40 and 50# rigs. i fish mostly 40 on these trips.
I would love to go, but it just doesn't make sense to fly down from Alaska for a six day trip. Plus I'm on a 15 day trip aboard the Red Rooster in March and should have enough fish to tide me over until the salmon arrive. If this works I'd be very interested in a longer trip of at least 8 days next year.
will the passport card work? i'll bring a 50 lb outfit just in case... my girl friends use to call me "EVEREADY"... :D ;D
not sure what a passport card is.......
A passport card is a card that allows expedited acess through border check points to Mexico and Canada. I'm not sure if they will work because you are transporting foodstuffs. Again, I am not sure. I am happy to call Navy travel and chase it down however.
Ron
Thanks to all for the info. There is a small chance that I can go on this trip, so we'll see....
Quote from: George4741 on November 26, 2013, 02:29:14 AM
Thanks to all for the info. There is a small chance that I can go on this trip, so we'll see....
I hope you can make it George.
x2... :)
OK,
I am penciled in for the rooms. I technically can't reserve them until May. I can reserve 3 rooms that sleep 4 as long as 2 guys don't mind sharing a Queen size bed. The price is $74.00 a night and they are pretty nice rooms. I am penciled in for 3 rooms for Sunday and Friday. If anyone wants to get in earlier or stay later let me know. I'll stay until I get a space A flight home and that may be a few days.
Ron
Sounds awesome Alan! Time to work on buttering up the wife...
This trip looks like a blast! Wish I could swing it. Good luck guys!
Quote from: rshu on December 02, 2013, 03:59:59 AM
Sounds awesome Alan! Time to work on buttering up the wife...
Rog,
I don't think you will have much problem. Your wife is a sweetheart...and if all fails, send her to Napa with her girlfriends so you can go to San Diego with the guys in return.
Quote from: Bryan Young on December 02, 2013, 09:07:19 PM
Quote from: rshu on December 02, 2013, 03:59:59 AM
Sounds awesome Alan! Time to work on buttering up the wife...
Rog,
I don't think you will have much problem. Your wife is a sweetheart...and if all fails, send her to Napa with her girlfriends so you can go to San Diego with the guys in return.
or give her enough to go on a shopping spree... :D ;D
Hopefully, this will be the trip that moves me from medium-range to long-range. Presented the idea to the wife yesterday...will see if it pans out soon.
Quote from: Porthos on December 09, 2013, 03:17:52 PM
Hopefully, this will be the trip that moves me from medium-range to long-range. Presented the idea to the wife yesterday...will see if it pans out soon.
I'm in. Will mail 1st payment check before this weekend.
Quote from: Porthos on December 11, 2013, 11:36:16 PM
Quote from: Porthos on December 09, 2013, 03:17:52 PM
Hopefully, this will be the trip that moves me from medium-range to long-range. Presented the idea to the wife yesterday...will see if it pans out soon.
I'm in. Will mail 1st payment check before this weekend.
Good!
Alan,
Make the check out to you or SOA? I just might be able to pull this one off. My wife says, "Go." :) :) :o :) :)
So I dare not cross her. 8) 8)
Quote from: Norcal Pescador on December 12, 2013, 02:46:54 AM
Alan,
Make the check out to you or SOA? I just might be able to pull this one off. My wife says, "Go." :) :) :o :) :)
So I dare not cross her. 8) 8)
Rob: That'll get you out of your funk. Dominick
Quote from: Porthos on December 11, 2013, 11:36:16 PM
Quote from: Porthos on December 09, 2013, 03:17:52 PM
Hopefully, this will be the trip that moves me from medium-range to long-range. Presented the idea to the wife yesterday...will see if it pans out soon.
I'm in. Will mail 1st payment check before this weekend.
nice! and remember, this is not a trip where you go crazy and buy a bunch of new tackle!
Quote from: Norcal Pescador on December 12, 2013, 02:46:54 AM
Alan,
Make the check out to you or SOA? I just might be able to pull this one off. My wife says, "Go." :) :) :o :) :)
So I dare not cross her. 8) 8)
most excellent!!!!!! yes, check gets made out to me.
crud. just found out from annemarie that calico's will count toward our 30 fish limit if we keep them.
Well,
I will be catching bay bass all Sunday long. I love eating calico, but if that doesn't work out they are still fantastically fun to catch.
Ron
Quote from: alantani on December 12, 2013, 06:39:09 AMnice! and remember, this is not a trip where you go crazy and buy a bunch of new tackle!
Too late!!!! I picked up the Avet HXJ Raptor I've been wanting since they came out for a killer price, now I'm selling my HX to help pay for it. The rest of the gear I have.
If anyone is needing rods or reels for this trip several of us here have more than a few "spares". It would be nice to know what I should bring for loaners so I can decide if I need to bring a trailer for gear ;D
Quote from: alantani on December 12, 2013, 06:56:13 AM
crud. just found out from annemarie that calico's will count toward our 30 fish limit if we keep them.
Are calicos line-shy? If so, use 80# mono in calico country. ;D
Quote from: Norcal Pescador on December 12, 2013, 04:20:06 PM
Quote from: alantani on December 12, 2013, 06:56:13 AM
crud. just found out from annemarie that calico's will count toward our 30 fish limit if we keep them.
Are calicos line-shy? If so, use 80# mono in calico country. ;D
These are the Mexican waters Calicos...130lb main with wire leader.
bad news on the calicos. annemarie says that calicos will count against out 30 fish limit if we decide to keep them. we won't be able to sneak a bunch in. that's what i was hoping for.
let's just eat these calicos before the return... :) ;D
Filet and release?
This trip is going to be like a 12 step program for tackle junkies! That alone would be enough to make me go.
I think it's a reasonably price trip; I just can't justify it for my own situation. My profession is in a crisis. I'm working now, but...
Maybe next year?
I'd go also but the last week of June I have a tourney in Loreto, Mexico.
Can you park in the lot at the dock while you are out? Would they have a problem with a camper on the back of the truck the night prior and after?
Quote from: No Bail on December 21, 2013, 06:31:18 AM
Can you park in the lot at the dock while you are out? Would they have a problem with a camper on the back of the truck the night prior and after?
There is fee parking at the dock, I don't know what the per day rate is but it wasn't that bad when I was there the last time.
i think parking is $6 per day. not sure about campers.
Their are campers in the lot all the time, I'm not sure if anyone slept in them though. If you need cheap accommodations I can help with that.
Ron
There are two lots to park in. One right at the landings but this is packed due to three landings using one lot. The second is about 1/4 mile or less away, a easy walk without gear. I get there a couple of hours early and try to find a spot in lot one, sometimes this means double parking and waiting for a spot to open up. If this does not happen it is off to lot two. The first 1/2 hour is free in lot one which gives you time to hopfully find a spot. If I need to head to lot two all gear is loaded into the landings carts and dropped off with someone to watch over it. The first lot has a attendant and cash or credit card is fine for payment, the second has a machine only for credit card payment, I think it also takes cash also but don't remember. In lot two make sure you pay when you park and not when you come back or your car most likely will be towed.
Edit: The free parking right in front of H&M Landing has 4-5 spots for loading and unloading only. There is free parking on the streets around the landing area, but watch the signs for street sweeping or you will get a ticket.
l don't remember the second lot. where is it?
Ron
Don't remember the name of the street but it is the first street before the landings. Facing the landings the street is on your left. If you exit the landings parking take a right, then the first right onto this street and the parking is on the left right by the Hotel, Marriot I think?
https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=H%26M+Landing&fb=1&gl=us&hq=h%26m+landing+san+diego+ca&cid=13808137195365411563&ei=PUG7Uv7bL9PtoATmj4DwBg&ved=0CKQBEPwSMA0 (https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=H%26M+Landing&fb=1&gl=us&hq=h%26m+landing+san+diego+ca&cid=13808137195365411563&ei=PUG7Uv7bL9PtoATmj4DwBg&ved=0CKQBEPwSMA0)
got it, if you walk it it feels like one big lot. If anyone is interested, the rooms I'm starting in are on the North point of the harbor.
Ronald
Thanks for the map Keta, I didn't have time to post one as I was running out of the door. The second parking lot is on N. Harbor, maybe 50 yards or so down on your left
I'm in! Check is written and going in mail in the morning. Hopefully, the trip is a go.
mark, thanks!!!!!!
additional info at SOA's site.
FISHING SCHEDULE http://www.spiritofadventurefishing.com/news/fishing-schedule
take a look at the open trips, it's $1,290 for 4 days sans tip. that's $322.50/day. our cost $330.00/day tip included.
FISHING TACKLE http://www.spiritofadventurefishing.com/news/fishing-tackle
...
there's no doubt that is a really good deal. I wish I could be there.
usually the difference is the cost to cover the chartermaster. in the case of our trip, the chartermaster is paying his own way.
thanks much Allan T. are we good with paypal? anyways will see each other next June and will pay you if need be.
yes, you are paid in full
i have a couple of reels that i was going to service and offer up as raffle prizes. i'm thinking of two "knot" challenges. one would be a single knot contest, using the type of knot you would used to a hook, with a single main line. you can't start with a doubled line like you see with a bimini. the other would a "connections" challenge, testing the strength of your connection from the spectra to the topshot. it will be a little bit of hassle, but i will make it worth your time. ;D
i, a newbie, will definitely will win both ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Mel B on March 29, 2014, 04:20:22 PM
i, a newbie, will definitely will win both ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
Mel, from one newbie to another...I will win ;D ;D ;D
you think so? why don't we put a side bet. maybe one of Alan T.'s gear, winner will get it and the loser will get the rest. ;D ;D ;D
Mel: I'm practicing as we speak!!! Game on!!! ;D ;D ;D
Tim, you're too late. i practiced yesterday. ;D ;D ;D
the typical knots for a hook would be a single san diego, a double san diego, or a palomar. i have a spool of 40# big game that we will use for the challenge. for a topshot connection, it will be the same spool of 40# big game, plus some spectra that i will pull out. you can use a single strand of spectra or loop from a bimini or any other means of creating a loop. for the actual connnection to the mono, an albright, a worm or a tony pena or anything else will be fine. start doing some research and start practicing!
A 'SanDiego' by any other name would hold as strong?
anything is fine. the important thing is that scales do not lie. actually testing your knots against a scale can be a real eye opener.
Quote from: alantani on March 29, 2014, 05:27:11 PM
...testing your knots against a scale...
that's how i tested my knots/connections after learning of a new one, key word "tested".
40# big game...hum?
Even though I'm not fortunate enough to be on the Ohana trip (this year!) I'll be using Perfection Loops on my 4-day in July. I've done well with them in the past; helps the baitfish swim freely, and a whole LOT cheaper than ringed hooks! :)
-A-
check your perfection loops on a scale. i use those knots when i want a snagged hook to break off. i think a perfection loop is considered to be a 50% knot.
Quote from: Aiala on March 29, 2014, 05:47:21 PM
Even though I'm not fortunate enough to be on the Ohana trip (this year!) I'll be using Perfection Loops on my 4-day in July. I've done well with them in the past; helps the baitfish swim freely, and a whole LOT cheaper than ringed hooks! :)
-A-
The Perfection Loop is 70% or so at best (Alan's 50 % might be closer), I use them but I prefer ringed hooks, and I ring my own.
Quote from: alantani on March 29, 2014, 05:50:57 PM
check your perfection loops on a scale. i use those knots when i want a snagged hook to break off. i think a perfection loop is considered to be a 50% knot.
I believe it, although I haven't lost 50% of my hookups. I just like the way the bait swims. Haven't used it for bottom fishing... hmm... something to consider.
I love ringed hooks, but I don't know how to ring my own, and their retail cost is prohibitively expensive... :P
-A-
Quote from: Aiala on March 29, 2014, 06:06:45 PM
I love ringed hooks, but I don't know how to ring my own, and their retail cost is prohibitively expensive... :P
-A-
It's a easy job, the supplies and tooling is relatively low cost. You need a silver solder flux, silver solder, SS butt rings (I make my own) and a small butane torch. I will try to get a tutorial on doing it posted one of these days but my photographer (wife) is hard to convince she needs to help.
When I was doing my own knot tests a little while back, I found the perfection loop to be superior to the surgeon's loop. Another one to consider is the Duncan or uni knot tied as a loop. The hook swings freely until a hookup, then the loop closes and the fight is on. Rated 75-82%.
Aiala, that's gotta be a perfect loop... ;D ;D ;D
quote
I love ringed hooks, but I don't know how to ring my own, and their retail cost is prohibitively expensive...
end quote
just picture these hooks as penn reels and you'll jump to buy them... ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Mel B on March 29, 2014, 06:29:45 PM
Aiala, just picture these hooks as penn reels and you'll jump to buy them... ;D ;D ;D
If they are anodized in rainbow colors, you betcha!! ;D
-A-
I make my own jump rings and braze the open end with silver solder. Wire can be tiny or large as well as the ring size. I make jump rings for my rock cod lures using recycled stainless steel bicycle spokes.
Quote from: Keta on March 29, 2014, 06:14:52 PM
Quote from: Aiala on March 29, 2014, 06:06:45 PM
I love ringed hooks, but I don't know how to ring my own, and their retail cost is prohibitively expensive... :P
-A-
It's a easy job, the supplies and tooling is relatively low cost. You need a silver solder flux, silver solder, SS butt rings (I make my own) and a small butane torch. I will try to get a tutorial on doing it posted one of these days but my photographer (wife) is hard to convince she needs to help.
Lee,
Get setup to do a couple of tutorials and I'll come down and shoot them for you.
Len
Are California fishing licences required?.
Joel 8080
Quote from: joel8080 on May 27, 2014, 03:56:19 PM
Are California fishing licences required?.
Joel 8080
No, we aren't going to be fishing in US waters.
Quote from: joel8080 on May 27, 2014, 03:56:19 PM
Are California fishing licences required?.
Joel 8080
If one is from CA, and have it, why not bring it? I'm bringing mine just in case I want to throw a lure out while waiting to load up at the bait barge or at anytime while in U.S. waters.
If one is NOT from CA, then it's probably not worth trouble of getting one...just hang out until we get to Mex waters.