Going out on a new vessel for the first time is always a nerve racking experience. Add to the fact that the offshore tuna has more or less hidden from the entire San Diego fleet the last few weeks doesn't help matters. I felt much better after receiving a call from the
skipper of the Orion, Tom Ebner, The night before departure to check status on the next night's charter. Arriving at the dock on Friday night I found the boat completely re-done. Upholstery, bunks, paint, galley, live well, everything.
After a short, but intense few minutes regarding our destination for the next day the majority of us decided to go for the glory and ride out the seas to the 85-mile area. This was not to be. Immediately out of the harbor the seas were chop. Anglers were becoming
alarmed and with a quick nod of my head to the skipper I changed our heading to the Coronado's where the previous week brought good scores of big yellows and Cudas. Rather fish the whole day with a group than beat them up on a rough sea and take a long boat ride, we opted for a relaxing day of hopefully GREAT fishing!.
Morning came and I awoke to the sound of a flapping on the deck, not the normal flap or beat of a tuna, but much softer and slower. Topping the stairs from below I saw a beautiful halibut, just short of 30lb whacking the deck. I knew this was going to be a different
kind of trip.
As gray light came we moved to the Islands middle ground and anchored up. Immediately, I was on a nice 15-18lb Yellowtail that was screaming towards the rocks below. There is no need for coffee when you have THAT kind of adrenaline.
One, two, three fresh ones and 10 minutes later we had our first 4 Mossbacks. As the day progressed it was more of the same, but as the sun got higher the yellows went deeper and the Cudas came to the surface. No need to fear, Kicker was there!! I proudly pulled out
the Kicker surface Jigs, Cuda Kickers, and we started slamming logs on the deck. It was a blast to use 12-15 lb. line and an iron to catch the savages.
We moved twice and got a few more tails, but they were either bigger or we were tired because some of us farmed some, including one of mine over the rocks. OOPPSS! A few more calico's and a lot of cudas later we all relaxed to a healthy full course, ribeye steak
dinner. The crew of the Orion met all the service requirements of any sport boat and even more so satisfied my High standards. This is a vessel I will fish again. Let's call it the "Little boat that Could".
Raffle prizes of a Seeker CJB65 composite blank went to John Pulley of Lakeside. The Penn 500L was won by Jeff Brudett of San Diego and the Kicker Jigs went to Sammy Prum of Yorba Linda
and Mathew Whitebrook (Mach 5 - Hosting) San Diego, and Kirk Dykstar all the way from Arroyo Grande. Good job, Congratulations!
Oh, remember that Halibut? It wound up being the big fish for the day and the Jackpot of and trophy winner for John Pulley of Lakeside! I must say when you are hot you're HOTTT!!!
Thanks to all my sponsors, Seeker, Kicker Jigs and CTX Mortgage for all their product
support.
