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Sorry for the late report.
Trip info: 1.5 day Albacore trip 8-2-03 departure on the Pacific Queen out of Fishermans's Landing in San Diego
Private charter with 28 passengers...
Let me tell you this was my first trip down there, but I am going back. The crew was absolutely superb. The deckhands, Chris, Mason, and Mark were not only skillful and cool headed but they were personable as well. Nothing like having a crew you can hang out with on a multiple day trip as well as rely on for advice and service. We left the dock at 10:15 on a perfect evening... I was giddy with anticipation of the next morning and let me tell you, it didn't disappoint. We hung out for a couple of hours and drank beers and talked fishing before everyone disappeared below deck around midnight or so...
The next morning I awoke sometime around 5ish to voices on deck. The Cap'n, Bill Cavenaugh made the announcment, “passengers 1-4 on the troll”... This kinda jerked me into reality and I quickly put my shoes on my feet and tried to shake the sleep from my head. I hadn't been on deck for more then 30 seconds when the call went out "HOOK UP!!!" It was on. As the troll fish was being fought the rest of hurried to get a lively sardine on the water... The cap'n was adamant about waiting a full 30 seconds before tossing out as we were still sliding to a drift... Everyone paid heed and all at once we were on them. "Fish on! Fish on!" To my left and right people were hooking up... We all started shifting up and down the boat following our baits as we drifted... and bobbing and weaving to let the people with fish on follow their fish around the boat. The Tuna Dance, I called it. Once up to the bow, if you didn't get bit, wait a bit, let out line for a while and drift, then crank it in, rebait and start again.
Well I finally got bit on about my fourth bait… Man, can these fish run! I was using a 30lb rig with a Shimano TLD Star 15/30 on an Ugly Stick lite 8 footer. This is a stick I use locally in Santa Barbara for Calicos… but it has a stiff enough butt section to take these guys on, I just had to work a bit harder. Thank god I had a belt on, that helped a lot. These Albies would slam your bait and absolutely take off. I had more then one run for something around 150 yards straight out, without any slowing or apparently noticing your drag. I thought I was going to be spooled on several occasions, but wasn’t, thankfully. There was simply no stopping the runs they made right after hooking up. One guy made that mistake and ended up with a blister for a thumb… note to self, your thumb can’t stop an angry albacore on the charge! My adrenaline was just pumping through my body as hoots and hollers rang out from around the boat as other guys couldn’t hold back either. The bite slowly died down and I had 3 fish on the boat, but the boat had near limits. I missed probably three fish on that stop, partially because I need to let them chew a bit longer I think… The ‘Dines were pretty sizable and very lively. The bite lasted probably 2 solid hours, maybe more… and each fight was probably around 20 minutes or so, but tough to be aware of details in that moment.
The next troll stop produced a few fish, but nothing like the morning. This pattern continued throughout the morning and into the afternoon. At around 1 or 2 (I am guessing) we got a troll fish and the bite went WFO. Seriously, your bait would splash down and almost instantly an albie would be taking line. I missed a fish turned around grabbed a bait and hooked another all in a matter of like 15 seconds. It was unreal. There were free swimmers everywhere in the water around the boat and boiling fish on all sides. At at least one point every stick on the boat was doubled over with a fresh biter. The crew did a great job during this insane, chaotic two hour period… helping people avoid tangles and gaffing their fish without fouling others and maintaining their cool throughout. The decks were covered in blood and fish… it lent an almost surreal, but primal aura to the experience…blood swishing around on the deck and large dead fish and newly gaffed ones flopping around. Too much fun. This is definitely something I can’t wait to experience again. We started releasing fish sometime during this melee, but not until I got my 5th one on board. The ocean was pumping with swells and whitecaps and a really stiff wind in your face kept you cool, but it made it difficult to even stand up straight… but it only added to the fun of the trip. I ended up with something like 8 or 9 fish, but honestly I lost count as we started cutting them loose during this bite. After the fracas we were all whipped. Dinner that night was Bacon Wrapped Filet and potatoes and let me tell you it hit the spot and most people hit the sack before eight or nine pm that night. When I woke up we were in the harbor at 6am. A perfect trip. I HIGHLY recommend this boat after this experience. I know I lucked onto one helluva first trip, but I feel the one thing for sure is the crew will treat you right regardless of the bite.
To echo Marco’s words about giving away fish… I came back with soooo much fresh fish I had to move it while it was so good and so fresh. I ate it sushi style for both lunch and dinner that night and the next and it was phenomenal. I gave it away to probably 25 groups of people in the Santa Barbara and Ventura areas and was happy to share in the wealth… frozen fish just isn’t the same. I would rather give it all away then throw away freezer burned filets in 2 months… Sharing the bounty only adds to the thrills at sea.
Marc
Pictures to follow...
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