Our trip started as usual with most the passengers there early watching the unloading from the previous trip. They had a nice variety of classic fall grade Tuna along with Dorado and Yellowtail. I wasn’t scheduled for this trip and was down at the landing saying hello to some friends from the Davis Boats trip, which I am usually on but work wouldn’t allow it this year. Found out they had a spot open and with the money burning a hole in my pocket made some calls and was under way 2 hours later.
After the loading of the gear we were underway and headed for the receivers to load up some of the best Sardines I have seen in awhile. 2 hours later we clear the point. After the Safety seminar we are told the ridge is slow and the fish are small so we are headed to Alijos Rocks. We will be the first boat there and it has not been fished for a few days. Now it is time to turn off the phones and put the watches away and enjoy the flat calm weather.
We awake the next morning to greasy calm seas and sunshine. After our tackle seminar which covered Wahoo and Tuna fishing at the rocks our charter master Bill Nakaki gave away some great prizes from Owner Hooks, Blackwater and Salas Jigs. Most are starting to set up their tackle and just enjoying the great weather.
When we arrive at the rocks the weather is still flat calm and sunny. Our fishing starts with a look around for the Wahoo and it doesn’t take long for them to find us. Our first jig stop produces a few skins and spirits are high. Our next stop they charge the boat and we are picking them off on the iron at a good pace. Some of our group has never caught a Wahoo before and it is always fun to watch someone get their first. After a few hours of this we get on the anchor and get the kites out looking for some Yellowfin.
We had excellent fishing on the tuna for 3 days at the rocks. The fish were in the 25-50# class with a few bigger ones scattered in. 40-50# Blackerwater fluorocarbon was the ticket for these fish. I fished 50# on a Accurate 665B2 and had great success. The Yellows would move through every now and then and you could get them on the sliding sinker and a fat sardine. The yellow were 15-25#s with a few 30+ pounders. I was able to pick off quite a few on the surface iron with a long cast. Yellows on the surface are always fun.
We get word that they are starting to see some bigger fish on the lower banks but now bitters and for us we just couldn’t make the move, the timing was just a little off and we were having some great fishing. After the 3rd day at the rocks we are off to look for kelps and then up to Cedros.
In route we find lots of floating items to fish and get our usual fall Dorado Attack. It is always a site to behold when the Mahi charge the boat. We get fixed up on these in no time. When the Dorado slowed down I threw a jig in and get bit off right away so I grab another and get bit right next to the boat and just stopped to let it fall out thinking it was another Dorado, As I look into the water I see a Wahoo dropping my jig. Well one more cast and he was mine. That started the frenzy for Wahoo and we ended up landing a few more. Everyone on the boat now has at least one Wahoo.
We make a short stop for some grouper and end up bagging a dozen or so and off to Cedros we go. We have a full day and a half to fish Cedros for Yellows; this is always one of my favorite parts of the fall 10 days, getting to fish the Yellow on the surface plug. Fishing was slow this time however and we just scratched away. Finally towards the end of the day we start to get a better grade on the yoyo. Tomorrow we will stop for some Reds and then call it a trip and head for home.
In summary this was a great trip with classic fall 10 day action. Thanks to Owner Hooks, Blackwater International and Salas jigs for the great giveaways and to Bill for running a great trip along with the awesome crew of the Royal Polaris. Be sure to check the Royal Polaris web site for up coming trips.
Also the SDLongRange.com trip in April has a few openings, call Scotty or Andrea to save your spot.
Go get some!
