I had a lot of plans, but out of the blue got a call to fish the Channel Islands with my two buds on a 28' Steigercraft. I've always wanted to fish WSB up there, so worked on adjusting my weekend plans so I wouldn't miss this opportunity. All I had to do was bring food, beverages, and drive up to VC... gas was taken care of so it would be an inexpensive trip to boot!
I actually carpooled up with Scott and we had basically all of the camping gear ready to go along with 300# of ice! LOL
Got up to the ramp and loaded the dock. It was a little weird loading the boat ramp dock waiting for him to pick us up, but it's actually not uncommon up there from what I hear.
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There are 4 docks, so we really weren't in anyone's way on the dock.
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Soon enough our ride pulled up and we were on our way.
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I finally found where the Ranger 85 is stationed and also got to see the other boats I've always heard about but never saw in person.
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And we're off!
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Apparently, the weather is better than anyone has seen it in a long time. I've never been there, so it was all new to me.
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It was fairly quick to get to Anacapa, but we still had another 30 miles to go. Those islands are no joke.
We had 4 other boats out there that were all going to work together. Scott has contacts everywhere and the other boats were the best local guys in the business. We had word of where the squid were so we headed there and started to jig a few up here and there. Lots of red tide in this spot.
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You could see the squid on the screen.
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We picked up a few dozen then made the long move to the hot spot. Apparently when we got there, we heard it was a great morning bite, and everyone was hooked up with big WSB. Unfortunately, the bite died well before when we got there so we metered around and found there was squid even here. Apparently, the squid weren't here in abundance the last week but today they started to show up.
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Daytime jigging for squid and we loaded up with a few hundred.
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We ran up and talked with our connections and got the information we needed. These guys were also staying the next 3 days on the water, so we had help if we needed it. The Katie along with a bunch of other boats were in the Halibut Derby so they had other quarry in mind.
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We actually worked hard and glassed the area with gyros the entire time to get a feel what the fleet was doing. We also ran to a few spots since what we were doing wasn't working.
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I started throwing the small jig to see if there were any mackerel around since the mid water column was filled with something. Well, it wasn't fin bait but clouds of squid!
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Loaded the bait tank along with our 1.5 scoops of sardine and then hit another area.
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No current but my reel started screaming! About 3 minutes in and we realized I somehow hooked a sea lion and the fight was on. 80# 2-speed and I actually had him almost to the boat when he finally busted it off.
We decided to head back to the fleet and get our anchor spot for the night. Next step was to get dinner ready!
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Apparently, they don't leave rods out overnight because of the spin of the boat according to the wind and currents overnight but agreed that I'll leave a rod out.
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I was amazed on how few critters were around. It seriously was a desert all night and I didn't even get a sniff! I couldn't sleep with all of the overnight boats showing up and cruising right next to you.
Our buds were close by so that was good.
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The boat population quadrupled by 2:00 am... it looked like it was going to be shoulder to shoulder fishing.
Day 1 in the books, and hopefully tomorrow will be more productive...
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Day 2 report coming soon. (This was a big trip)
Been about 4 years since I last looped Santa Cruz Island in a friend's tinny. Definitely a different experience for an SD guy! In some ways those islands feel more remote and rugged than the more southerly ones, maybe it's the cooler water and more consistent winds.
Can't wait for more!
Back in my younger days I fished those Islands as a Kid, then in my late Teens I did some Scuba Diving up there as well.
I have never been back but I can see your adventure is a good one ! 8) 8)
Thinking about how delicious all that fresh squid would be!!
There's another dollar.
Never fished up there. I'd like to.