Reel Repair by Alan Tani

the 10-day trip this year is scheduled for november 4-14 on the spirit of adventure.  the total cost for the boat is $100,620.  divided 24 ways, it comes out to $4192 per person.  adding a 17% tip brings the total to $4905.  i will need a deposit of $2452.50 sometime in the next month.  thanks!  alan

1. Alan Tani - Saratoga, CA (Deposit)

2. Warren Hamachi - West Covina, CA (Paid in Full)

3. Ed Tani - Hayward, CA (Deposit)

4. Bill Barella - Crestline, CA (Paid in Full)

5. Mike Pate - Leesburg, GA (Deposit)

6. Mark Thomann - Mission Viejo, CA (Deposit)

7. Jack Bradley - San Francisco, CA (Deposit)

8. Lee Putman - Klamath Falls, OR (Pending)

9. Tommy Dembski - Santa Cruz, CA (Paid in Full)

10. Dan Puma - Campbell, CA (Deposit)

11. Tom McKinney - San Diego, CA (Paid in Full)

12. John Oliver - Jurupa Valley, CA ($3K Deposit)

13. Roy Qi - Santa Barbara, CA (Deposit)

14. Bobbie Haskell - San Jose, CA (Deposit)

15. Paul Seghposs - Scottsdale, AZ (Pending)

16. David Alexander - Cloverdale, CA (Deposit)

17. David Cry - Star, ID (Deposit)

18. Jerome Morris - San Jose, CA (Deposit)

19. Vince Outcalt - Scottsdale, AZ (Deposit)

20. Martin Alexander - Burlingame, CA (Deposit)

21. Jim Cureton - San Jose, CA (Deposit)

22. Dave Fortuna - Gilroy, CA (Deposit)

23. Patrick Koda - San Jose, CA (Deposit)

24. Mike Teng - Aromas, CA (Deposit)

wait list

1.  Jim O'Connor

Charter Contract Agreement
Departure Date: 11/04/2026
Departure Time: 11:00 AM
Return Date:    11/14/2026
Return Time:        6:00 AM
Charterer: Alan Tani                  alantani@yahoo.com                (408) 219-1149
Charter Price:  $100,620                         
up to 22 passengers  (Mexican permits & CA licenses extra)

A 50% deposit is required to hold this charter. The deposit must be received by February 1, 2026.The price includes food, bait and Mexican Visas. The price does not include fishing tackle, Mexican fishing permits, gratuities or beverages. If the deposit is not received by the above date, the charter may be automatically cancelled by Spirit of Adventure Charters without notice. Please send your passenger list as soon as possible so we can send you any anglers on a waitlist or assist you with booking spots if needed.If the charter group does not appear on the above date and time, all monies will be forfeited. If the charter is not fully booked, or the charter price is not paid in full by time of departure, charter dates may not be granted the following year. Cancellation policy will be strictly enforced. If a passenger cancels 90 days or more prior to departure date, any payments shall be refunded less a $250.00 service charge. Cancellations within 90 days of departure will result in forfeiture of deposit unless the vacant spot is filled. Cancellations within 30 days of departure will result in forfeiture of ALL DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS unless vacant spot is booked. Travel Insurance is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Please be aware, due to possible fuel price increases, Spirit of Adventure Charters reserves the right to implement a fuel surcharge. Spirit of Adventure Charters reserves the right to make changes in the trip that circumstances dictate, including cancellations, changes in the trip due to weather or fishing conditions, or substitution of boats as deemed necessary. Notification of any changes will be made in a imely manner.Please make sure your anglers make reservations with a fish processor if needed.

I understand and agree to the above charter provisions.____________________________________                              __________________________Signature of responsible Charter Master                                       
Date
Please Mail Deposit To:Spirit of Adventure Charters  2803 Emerson St                          San Diego, CA 92106 Denise Muller                                               
Date: September 2025  admin@soasportfishing.com 
(619) 549-8002
This contract will not be confirmed until a signed copy is returned to Spirit of Adventure. Thank you!

Are blue fin the target species?

Quote from: Jim O on March 16, 2026, 07:47:31 PMAre blue fin the target species?

No. Head below Cedros to the Ridge and Alijos Rocks for YFT, Wahoo, Yellowtail, Dorado. They've been known to stop for BFT either at the beginning or end of a trip.

I'm the only guy on the waiting list.  Can someone here tell me what rod/reel combos I should have with me?  My only gear are 4 custom wraps(Calstar blanks) from the 1980s, and 4 Shimano TLDs, 5,10,15,20. 

Rod #1) 5'6".  No indication of line test.  What I can say is that the TLD 5 and this rod have landed #30 albacore, but that was with #15 mono fly lining anchovies.  Same thing with YT.
Rod #2) CalStar T660.  6'. 20-50 lb test.
Rod #3) Calstar T670. 6'6". 20-60 lb test.
Rod #4) 6'6".  This rod appears to be the same as the T670.

So, that's what I have, for better or worse.  Are these outfits worthless?  I understand without seeing them, it's just a guess.

Bottom line: Will 4 new outfits get me by?  What outfits?  Thanks.

I can not speak for Alan but if I can make it and you get on the trip  Alan should and I will have gear to fill your gaps.

If you only had a 40# and 60# outfits that would take care of 50%-70% of your needs in a "normal"  year.  On the 2024 trip Even said no less than 80# for the YFT we were catching but 3 of us went to 30# and 2 of us did well, it was a workout but I did not want/need a bunch of YFT.  The third "crazy person" had a smaller reel for his 30# and I think he did not land one of the 70# plus fish.  Larger drag disks and line capacity helped.

Jim - I am going to speak in generalities here:
1.  Whatever the Boss says - is gospel.
2.  Another great forum member/supporter, Steve Carson from Penn (Tunanorth) has a really good breakdown on outfits to bring.    Now, yes it is Penn centric (nothing wrong with that) but the advice he is giving can be translated across the top brands with a little bit of research, it is NOT just Bluefin tuna based, and his experience in the field is rock solid - he's not just shilling gear he wants anglers to have success.
3.  Most of the top Long Range boats have gear lists (both fishing and personal gear) that are tailored toward length of trip.  Well worth it to peruse them, but I will say this: They all tend to have same variations of the same list, the information can be a little dated, and as I have gained experience in my world they are a little overkill (no I am not bringing 20# of lead in various weights, and I don't need 20 packs of Mustad hooks from 2/0 to 6/0).  But still, there is good information to be learned there.
4.  Your on the AT Forum - I learn from these guys everyday.  You're gonna get a LOT of good advice, and you asked the right question in the right place.
5.  If you have never Long Ranged before, and especially on an Alan trip, we all bring an abundance of gear (probably too much!) so don't be intimidated by those of us bringing 12 outfits.  It's NOT necessary, it's just what I do.  It also means that there is usually plenty of extra gear for odd situations (don't have any Sabiki rigs?  Go grab one out of my bag!) and on an Alan trip there will be LOTS of support, don't be surprised if somebody hands you off one of their outfits if you are in need.
Hope you can make it on the trip (or any Long Range trip) and do not hesitate to ask questions!  That is what this forum is about. - john

Thanks you guys.  I'll do my homework on this.  I hate like hell going into something like this without any gear at all.  I intend to buy 4 outfits for starters.  Maybe one or two of my rod/reel combos can fill a gap.

My first trip I brought 5 outfits.  2 never left the rack. The 3 used were: Penn Fathom 25NLD2 on an Okuma PCH a 40# rig, Penn Fathom 40NLD2 on an Okuma PCH a 80# rig, and a Penn Baja Special on a no name rod for 50#.  You would do well with the 25N 40# and 40N 60#, a handful of irons, and assorted Mustad hooks (no need to bring the expensive designer hooks as unwanted fish are cut off or broke off and the fish don't care), and a half dozen torpedo sinkers.  I'm that guy who brings 20# of sinkers, so will have plenty to share. 

Beyond that, trollers will be in abundance to use, and we all will have extra gear for loan. 

If you are in SoCal there are plenty of tackle shops willing to help.  Charkbait recommended  my first 2 Fathoms and they are the backbone of my quiver. 

As we get closer and they fishing reports start coming in, we will be able to dial in the list. 

Bill

Quote from: Keta on Today at 01:23:06 AMI can not speak for Alan but if I can make it and you get on the trip  Alan should and I will have gear to fill your gaps.

If you only had a 40# and 60# outfits that would take care of 50%-70% of your needs in a "normal"  year.  On the 2024 trip Even said no less than 80# for the YFT we were catching but 3 of us went to 30# and 2 of us did well, it was a workout but I did not want/need a bunch of YFT.  The third "crazy person" had a smaller reel for his 30# and I think he did not land one of the 70# plus fish.  Larger drag disks and line capacity helped.

Okay, if I had 4 new rigs, would a #30, #40, #60, and #80 make sense, for starters?

Which would be for jig casting? 

You seem to like Penn reels.  When it comes to the top reel manufacturers, are the drag systems all pretty similar, performance wise?   

If those rig sizes I listed would be a good start, I just need to know appropriate rod lengths/power for each.  Thanks.

(I just realized I have two separate accounts here.  Weird.  I need Alan to delete one...Jim O and roguejim.

Quote from: Bill B on Today at 04:15:16 PMMy first trip I brought 5 outfits.  2 never left the rack. The 3 used were: Penn Fathom 25NLD2 on an Okuma PCH a 40# rig, Penn Fathom 40NLD2 on an Okuma PCH a 80# rig, and a Penn Baja Special on a no name rod for 50#.  You would do well with the 25N 40# and 40N 60#, a handful of irons, and assorted Mustad hooks (no need to bring the expensive designer hooks as unwanted fish are cut off or broke off and the fish don't care), and a half dozen torpedo sinkers.  I'm that guy who brings 20# of sinkers, so will have plenty to share. 

Beyond that, trollers will be in abundance to use, and we all will have extra gear for loan. 

If you are in SoCal there are plenty of tackle shops willing to help.  Charkbait recommended  my first 2 Fathoms and they are the backbone of my quiver. 

As we get closer and they fishing reports start coming in, we will be able to dial in the list. 

Bill

I just noticed I have two separate accounts, roguejim, and Jim O.  I see you're a moderator.  Maybe you can delete the roguejim account? If I go into that roguejim account, it does not recognize me.  It's like I'm looking at someone else's account.  Or should I contact Alan?