I'm back from a trip and realize I didn't take a single picture on my own phone. I may or may not supplement co-worker's photos later...
The Shimano reel service team grinds out Blackfish Charter's reels for free in exchange for a full day trip or two each summer. So this one took us to San Clemente Island in hopes of yellows, and then a little check on the cow tuna chewing just north of the island.
Boarded the boat at 0500. I immediately dipped into the bunks. 0700 I lost my breakfast...was a little bumpy out there, guess I lost my sea legs after not being out in 9 months.
Got to the island maybe before 0800. Calicos instantly fired up in the chum line along with some yellows showing. We only had anchovies for bait, which made things challenging for the most part. I was planning to use my new Talica 8 all day but quickly realized it wasn't worth a sh!t with a little anchovy to cast. Thankfully, I brought along my surf steelhead rod as a joke. The captain noticed it within minutes and said, "Damn, that's the play today!" and just grabbed it off the rack and started playing with it. I said aight, give it here.
Tied on a #4 mustad to 15# leader (6# braid), hooked an anchovy, and tossed it twice as far as anybody with their baitcasting and conventional gear. It was instantly wide open for me, bit every cast, probably coming tight 1/3 times. Borderline legal calicos. I probably ended up outfishing everyone 2:1 on the calicos due to the casting distance advantage alone.
But the yellows kept teasing us. Then Kevin got one on the iron.
(https://i.imgur.com/qBEbaC1h.jpeg)
Then Robert got a solid 10-12lber.
(https://i.imgur.com/Npzv7ymh.jpeg)
Then I got a sizzling drag run on my noodle, and got busted clean off in about 5 seconds. I need a yellow on the perch rod!!!! I got some redemption with a 5lb bonito a few minutes later. I think everybody got at least one.
We moved a couple times, but generally had a steady pick on schmedium calicos til noon, when we decided to head over to the party offshore for bluefin. They had landed a couple of cows earlier in the week on the kite, so hopefully it would be our turn to bring home the meat.
(https://i.imgur.com/LSgF2ybh.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wNZTF0lh.jpeg)
We arrived to the AO with about a dozen other boats of all statures and affiliations, not nearly as windy as forecasted and small spots of tuna foaming. Many kites were up, none coming down. We tried for almost 2 hours, with one short bite that I didn't see, then we headed back in.
I'm pretty beat. Thankfully few wanted their bonito so I brought home a nice big bag that should last a while. Very good day with the boys.
Bravo boss. I appreciate the noodle rod throwing chovie for yellows. I'll re-comment again tomorrow. Got back from a party and have early plans.
: jrodda July 26, 2025, 08:21:11 p(https://i.imgur.com/wNZTF0lh.jpeg)
BTW, those are some superbly rigged flying fish.
Casting out small anchovies is a lost skill. Reminds me of the albacore days on 25lb line and a Penn 501.
: Pinoyfisher July 28, 2025, 07:09:42 pCasting out small anchovies is a lost skill. Reminds me of the albacore days on 25lb line and a Penn 501.
I was talking with my boss today about water bubble floats for casting chovies. My dad mentioned beating the rest of the boat one day using them on some calico bite in the 90s, so they stay in my terminal box indefinitely.
: jrodda July 28, 2025, 09:47:51 p: Pinoyfisher July 28, 2025, 07:09:42 pCasting out small anchovies is a lost skill. Reminds me of the albacore days on 25lb line and a Penn 501.
I was talking with my boss today about water bubble floats for casting chovies. My dad mentioned beating the rest of the boat one day using them on some calico bite in the 90s, so they stay in my terminal box indefinitely.
My secret weapon was split shots. Late 90's early 2000's, chovies reigned supreme. If they were barely larger than a set of eyes and a wiggle, casting one far enough away from the boat on heavy spooled Penn reels a tall task. I'd "finger close" a small split shot to add some weight and most of the time it'd fall off while fighting the fish. That made for easier tangle fixes with other people who'd use rubber cores.
Losing your breakfast almost made me lose my Diet Coke while reading your report ;D
I haven't been to SCI since the late 80's :-\
You got to hang with boys and came home with fish, perfect ! 8)