First, thanks to Fishslayer, Forktail, Fongster, and the others who threw down some great info about chasing tuna out of SD area. What I found is that Islandia will be offering the Phoenix for overnight trips with a limited load of 12-15! Not due to the size of boat, but the # of bunks, at the same $175! Beats the hell out 35 ltd load for 175, and I heard the skipper is a solid fisherman but real chill. If any of you guys are interested I'm flying down labor day weekend and already reserved one space to leave Sat nite 8/31 to fish Sunday, and they won't leave unless there's 8, so I'm hoping to make sure and get out there. So if any of you guys are down, the trip is on the calendar under my name, Paul Casarez, call the Islandia. As for me, I'm 33, CA native from Lompoc now livin in SF, a lifelong surfer and fisherman, so even though I'm no pro w/ the tuna, the guys on the phone at Islandia sound knowledgable and very cool, so it should be a solid day on the water!
Fish on!
Paul

I'll make sure to mark my calendar, but are you sure its the phoenix that is going out, it used to be the dolphin, hell it doesnt matter...:-)

Forktail, I called Islandia and the Dolphin II is chartered for that weekend, so I told them Islandia was strongly recommended and could they recommend another boat. He was so stoked that they got recos, he gave me the inside scoop that the Phoenix just got the Mexican permits to do the overnight trips, how its a max of 15, how the skipper is super solid, and I would be stupid not to go. All we need is 6 more and the reels will be screamin!
Late,
Paul

do you know if tim is going to skipper the boat that day?

If I remember correctly, the guy on the phone said it's Tim

bitchin' I guess I've got to put a big red mark on the calendar.

do you know also if that is 175 plus permits or they are included.

I think it's 175 all inclusive, but you might want to check with the Islandia landing.

Check it out. Shows limits for 1 of the 2 overniters they've run so far!
http://www.sportfishingreport.com/FMPro?-DB=boats.fp5&-Lay=Entry&-format=boat.html&ID=167&-find

They ran a trip with 10 anglers! Now THAT would be fun! :D

Wonder if I could get some time off!

Fishslayer

I fished the Phoenix when it was a 3/4 day. I didn't know they had bunks, but it's been quite awhile.

I wish you luck. It's been awhile since I've fished anything but Dolphin II out of Islandia simply cause they kept cancelling the 3/4 day on me. When the Phoenix would go I always caught fish, tho. Actually nailed about a 12# dodo on her one time! :D I've never been impressed with Islandia as an operation, but the Dolphin II has always been first rate and you can't beat the parking!

As I recall, the Phoenix is one LOUD mofo!

Fishslayer

edit: Hmmm... My interest is piqued. 8/31 is a Saturday? I'm gonna do some investigating! $175 is a good deal for a weekend IF the permits are included. 15 for tuna on the Phoenix would be not bad at all.

and called the landing. Here's what some other have to say.

http://www.sport-fish-info.com/dcforum/dcpages/Main/10250.html

I may go. I'm going on an overniter the 16th tho & the 31st might be a little too soon to hit the CFO up for more $$$! :D

Fishslayer

edit: I will be keeping an eye on this boat & see how she does.

just talked to the landing and it is 175.00 with permits included, if interested, hurry, spots are almost gone out of 15 openings the guy said 9 are in but he said something of 12, maybe the three are not confirmed yet, anyways it has the makink of an awesome trip.

Fishslayer, thanks again for the info...the link to the posts was some solid inside info. The noisy boat sounds a bit rough, but it's a fair trade for 10 guys vs 35, especially w/ a 5 fish/rod for the 1st 2 trip. I'm in, so I'm hoping you and 8 other guys can make it!
paul

Doesn't look like you'll have trouble getting enough to go. The tuna are biting & spots on open party boats are getting hard to come by, especially on weekends. Luckily a spot on a private charter the 16th opened up.

Get a set of those soft smushy earplugs & you'll sleep fine!

Fishslayer

WHOA! 8 BFT 420 albie & 20 YT for 10 anglers. Wonder how many got farmed!?

Just an FYI,


It sounds like you guys should have a lot of fun...I used to work at Islandia a couple of years ago, the Phoenix is a very loud boat, but the crew is and always has been top notch. When I was working there the owner/operator was named John. He's a super intense guy who really works hard to find fish, I actually caught my first yellowtail on that boat back in '92. As far as the bunk situation is concerned, there are a few bunks aboard, but don't expect a whole lotta room in the galley or otherwise. I do believe that a group of 15 guys on that boat is optimal. I have fished it with as many as 37 (boy was that an adventure). The main thing is to enjoy yourselves and I wish you guys the best of luck...


Tight Lines...........

The landing told me 15 is max load for overnighters. I've been watching her overnighters & she's been doing as well or better than everyone else. She has also been out with 10 anglers on a couple occasions. I'll probly try her before the season's out. The only reason I quit riding the Phoenix for 3/4 days was that I got tired of the cancelled trips (one with 7 people signed up!) & started going over to Seaforth. I always had an excellent time on the Phoenix. No, she's not the Excel, but I doubt you'd be riding the Excel with 14 other fishermen! :D

Fishslayer

couldnt agree with you more calico pro, john also put me on a bunch of firsts, although it was a pain to fish whenever they had more than 30 on board.
does anyone know what the status of the trip is? would hate to have it cancell.
I know of 2 confirmed (myself and brother in law) from what I understand six more and is on!
hope to see a few fellow calfishers on to trade tips and make things fun.

Forktail, I'm confirmed also, and I'm checking with a few more guys up here in SF to see if they're down, Maybe we should spread the word even more to get some more on board. I'll try to post on some other sites and let's hope it goes....damn it better...I already bought my plane ticket!
Late,
Paul

I just called and there's 7 including myself, so with one more it will go...who's it gonna be???

cmon one more fishnut to go,

eight is the sweet number. although they say the more the merrier on the tuna boat less is a bless.

have any of the fishnuts that decided to hop on this trip looked at the forecast for this weekend, it has the looks of an epic bluefin bonanza, cross your fingers so that it only gets better.

also any tips on how to recognize other calfishers on the boat?
that is of course if the whole boat is a calfish bus...
any way, see you there saturday night, and wish upon a star these VW bug sized bluefin hold.

tip, all the reports indicate the need for rope broomsticks and winches for gear, dont you just love it?

is there still room?
i am supposed to go to bishop, but if that falls through, which i will know tomorrow, i would be on it like a ... well you can guess.

Anywho - good luck and killem

Mike

chances are slim since the news spilled out any boat that floats its up to its neck with pasengers, call the landing, you never know?
in any case good luck.

Hey Forktail, I heard the BFT report also and have to bum a broomstick off a buddy, but don't have time to get it re-strung up here and was wondering if there is anywhere close to or at the landing that can string my reel? I can buy some string (50lb?)and take it as a last ditch effort but I'm don't trust my lack of experience in winding 50 string on a "winch". Also I heard of the BFT taking jigs, I'm bringing some swimbaits for the albies and YT's but do you have reco's on jigs for the BFT's.
Thanks and I can't to hop on that boat!!
Paul

if you get in early, head out to seaforth and get it done at the tackle shop, or just buy the string and I can help you load it on the boat. as far as jigs havent heard the 411 but assume the tried and true still stand, ble and white, blue and chrome salas 6x single hook (made or if lucky bought) ironman 5 also single hook, heard a bit about the jumbo megabaits but....

hope it helps.

You guys are spreading Tuna Fever!!!! So very tempting.....