I haven't posted in awhile and am just currently shaking off the winter duldrums. . .

Anyway, it is a long ride to Augustine. About 3 hours on the Stardust. Plenty of time to enjoy a killer breakfast burrito in the galley and enjoy some anticipation with the other fishermen of all of the monster rockfish to be had.

Upon arriving at Augustine, I pulled out my combo that had slayed so many big rockfish in the past, the Ulua with a stinger jig. Overkill, yes, but it had never let me down in the past and I love dragging rockfish out of the rocks with this stick. Many others had their heavy jigs and large scampi's with the 6 oz. jig heads out.

Unfortunately, the big led and plastics weren't what the fish wanted. After trying unsuccessfully to bag a big red or ling for about an hour with this setup, standing just outside the wheelhouse, I let go of the stubborness and got out my bait stick and moved to the stern.

Once I did that, it was an easy limit. After catching a few fish, I asked my buddy how he was doing and he already had his limit after a couple short hours of fishing.

So not being able to fish for the rockfish anymore, my buddy pulls out the TLD30 2 speed with 50 lb. test and attached it to an 8oz. sinker, a wire leader with 7/0 hook. The crew provided him a fresh blue bass for bait. Within 5 minutes, my buddy hooked a 20 lb. lingcod which was jackpot.

http://www.treego.net/media/jackpot.jpg

So, nearing my limit, I switched over to fishing the 'dines exclusively, and within an hour had my limit of nice lingcods on top of my limit of rockfish - managed a few nice big Reds, some good sized assorted rockfish, and a huge salmon grouper.

http://www.treego.net/media/lings.jpg

At the end of the day, just about everyone had limits of rockfish, and a number of limits of lings. We headed home with fat sacks! I ended up stopping fishing about 45 minutes early as I had limits which gave me time to eat a bacon cheese burger and goof around with my bros.

I must say, this trip re-iterated a couple of things that are important in fishing. . . when you are using tried and true techniques that have never failed you before, don't be afraid to give up and try a different setup when it is not working. And in my buddies case who caught the 20 lb. ling, don't be afraid to give a new setup a try even though people gawk at the fact you are using wire leader and a tuna hook :)

As always, the crew and service on the Stardust was exceptional. A 100% awesome service business! This was a great trip with a very fun bunch of people to fish with. Thanks to Alan for setting this trip up.

Thanks for letting me share. Pictures soon to come. . .