Here we go again... Just when I thought that my boat could range no farther, it can! At one point we were 87.5 miles from the SI boat ramp, but that's where the FISH are... I really wish that the fish would move up North about 40 miles or so. Since that's not happening until Spring, you must then go South of the '31.30 and West of the '117.30. We started our early morning at SI around 1:45am headed for the area of 28/36... Smooth seas made for fast running until daybreak and then it was only slightly choppy, but beautiful Albacore weather. Five miles before our spot, we dropped in on some 61.0 degree water and began to troll South, as it quickly dropped to 60.6 degrees. Nothing for the first hour and half, and then right at 28/36, ZZZZZZZZ, now that's what I live for! From a zero to a hero, in a matter of seconds. It was a single jigstrike off of the port outrigger. The jig was a Sevenstrand Loco Joe Tuna clone and no bait stop to follow. We continued to troll the area for another single jigstrike on the same jig about 45 minutes later. When called out the numbers two boats showed up. The first boat to show up was the Indian out of H&M Landing. As far as I know, they were still being skunked at 11am with a full load of anglers. The second was a boat named "Guano" that came in and he was having the same problems as the Indian. After they showed and we all did big circles around each other for another hour, we headed East to find the warmer water temperature on the SST map. Water warmed a little from the 60.6 to 61.0 as we headed East. Then right at 28/33 a big Albacore launches itself out of the water and gives away its hiding spot. Find the fish, and my buddy George and I will absolutely smash them like there is no tomorrow!!!!!!! It even sounds a little cocky, but ask any of my multiple crew members and they will concure. Back to the story, so we turn on the fish and begin to box the area. Knowing that the fish are down deep, I start chumming live chovies (2scoops) and a mix of fresh dead bait(1scoop deans/chovies), while making big circles down swell to keep dragging our jigs back across our sinking and swimming baits.
Not even 10 minutes after we started doing that we land our first monster of the day. This time off of the starboard outrigger with a Sevenstrand Abortion Tuna Clone and boils 10 yards off of the back of the boat. Finally we get our first bait fish before they disappear again, cool... I called the numbers out again and Guano showed just in time to push the fish back down on about a 20kts arrival within 50 yards of us??? He eventually got one later on the troll in the same area off of a Fishtrap. We continued to fish the area for a total of three single jigstrikes, the other two coming off of a Burns Bros. Zucchini jethead on the starboard corner, nice and short. The last two hookups in the area included two bait fish each time, even farming one right at gaff. These fish were the biggest Albacore we've caught all this year, no doubt, largest was well over 40lbs. At this point its about 2:30pm with 85 miles to go to the SI ramp so we decided that we had to leave. If we could have stayed longer we would have gotten our limits. So then deciding not to be too greedy, we blasted North. Slowing only once to troll through another zone at 35/35 for one short bite. Glassy conditions made for a speedy ride home and on the trailer at 8:30pm. Epic day is all I can say, I even suprised myself yesterday! Thanks again to the Tailchaser and George the Fishmagnet... Happy New Year!

10 Large Albacore up to 40+lbs
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Patrick / Fish'n Dawg<}>>