Had a company trip with Bongos charters today. At the dock we settled on a game plan to give the yellowtail at Catalina a real quick check-in, and then go look for the small-mid sized bluefin that have been offshore.
Out of the marina at 0500.
A bit of wind churning up some chop through the night but a relatively flat ride out.
Got to the spot at Cat and the fish were around but not hungry. We gave it about 20 minutes, I got the skunk off with a schmedium calico, and then we booked it.
We was lookin', lookin', then the hunters became the hunted.
(https://i.imgur.com/XHq7Y0Eh.jpeg)
Thankfully the boat was boarded last week, so they did a quick check on the boat information over the radio and we only lost about 5 minutes.
We put out the mad macs and not 10 minutes goes by before we're bit! We were taking turns cranking with the rod in the holder, I took the first shift and it felt better than the 5-25lbers they were talking about.
Thankfully put the fish in the boat. Solid 50lb class fish.
(https://i.imgur.com/hoEUphqh.jpeg)
We get going again then the other rod goes off, ~30lb fish comes over the rail.
Then we got called in to a bite on sardines! We pull up and I was using a #4 Mutu light, as I was told the smaller circles have been getting bit good. Never used the hook before but I was excited to outfish everyone. 2 casts in and I'm the first bit! Engage the lever drag, a few seconds of a solid run and pop! Ay!!!!! I reel in and the hook is f@ckin straightened out. That was dumb. Switched to the boat's collection of thicker gauge circles. I did not get another bite. Kevin picked off a 25#er though. Lesson learned for me!
We ran out of bait pretty quick, and started on the mad mac troll again. We went over a real nice stack of tuna 100' down and at least 20 fish thick, and like clockwork the rod went off 20 seconds later. A 40#er.
We got one more bite that came unbuttoned mid-fight. I was telling everyone before how they shouldn't take for granted going 3/3 on mad macs. 3/4 is still a great day trolling for bluefin.
(https://i.imgur.com/LLmr50fh.jpeg)
Back at the dock around 1730. My arm is sore. I have plenty of bluefin waiting to be vacuum packed.
Light line circle for BFT.... what the heck! LOL
Congrats boss. I'm still mad about what happened to us down here but glad someone made it happen!
Oh, BTW... Koga's coming down for a week in October. I'll be in Washington for part of it but might have one day to fish with him if you're interested. I know, as much torture as one can deal with, but I'll let you know when anyway.
That's what I'm talking about. Bloody decks and big tuna. Nice job.
- Keith