I've been reading this list for a while and finally decided to post one.
I read the negative stuff about Capt Hooks a couple of weeks ago and thought I would pass along a positive experience I had with them to balance it out a bit.
A buddy and I went out on Sunday on the New Blufin. The boat left at 11 pm Saturday, fished all day Sunday and got back in at 7:30. We fished Santa Barbara island for yellowtail mostly, with a few calico, whitefish, sheephead and a bat ray (that was mine) thrown in. It was definitely a bizarre fishing trip. 15 anglers landed 12 yellowtail (as usual, we should have been there yesterday when they got 35) but 8 of the 12 yellows were landed by 'rent rodders'.
Anyway, Capt Hooks.
The captain fished hard to find us some fish (all the boats had low counts on Sunday) and came back later than expected. He moved a few times during the day but is definitely not one of those captains that moves every 15 minutes. Lots of good fishing time.
The deckhands, although maybe a bit inexperienced, were friendly, helpful and hard working. The captain and second ticket were on deck often to help the deckhands and keep things under control. The fish cleaning prices were reasonable.
The boat is a bit old and funky but it is well maintained, very clean and very fishable with lots of room at the rail all the way around. My only complaint is that they either do not have, or did not use, a refrigerated fish hold. Definitely not a tuna boat. But they did bleed and hang the yellows in the bags and kept them reasonably wet.
The cheeseburgers are excellent.
All in all, except for the catching, one of the more enjoyable fishing trips of recent memory. Give em a try while the yellows last.


Dave
"1/3 fewer fish than your regular fisherman"