Report from yesterday's overnighter on the Endeavor - Fished 60 nm south of SD on a 208 heading for 31 albacore and 2 bonito for 23 people. Out of the albies only about 6 or 8 of those were bait fish. Another 4 were on fish traps (3 on the troll by the deckhand who drug it along next to the jigs) and the rest were jig strikes. Double and triple jig strikes were common, but they just wouldn't eat the bait. The bait pretty much sucked. The anchovies were weak and rolled quickly, but the few sardines in the tank were decent. I got bit on both. I had the first bait hookup of the day on thes second stop on an anchovy fished on the slide. The hook pulled after about 10 seconds on that fish. A few stops later I landed a 17# albie on a chovy. Later in the day I was bit again on a sardine, but the fish bit, ran for a second or so, and dropped the bait. I waited but nothing bit again. Reeled it in to find the back half of the bait void of scales. I prefer not to troll so I didn't get any jig fish.

Definitely bring your heavy gear, as well as stuff to troll if you're into that. Small to medium sized, dark jigs worked in the morning, lighter in the afternoon - the standard. You might even try trolling a fish trap if they'll let you. It was bit before the jigs each time it was out there. The fish were definitely no line shy, biting 30# just as well as 15# (though they really weren't biting well in general). The sardines will fish much nicer than the anchovies if you do choose to work the heavier line.

The boat, Endeavor, was great and crew excellent. Great charter boat at a reasonable price.

TL,
Adam