OK, OK, I know that trip #4 was this past weekend, but I have been extremely busy! As I was lying on my garage floor after falling from the rafters, I thought that this might not be the time to break my hip. Hmmm, the middle of the season and the Charter Master is out!
Hmmm, who would be my relief? Who would take care of all my clients? Oh, that hurts........
With a slight limp I arrived at Fisherman's to see that the Conquest was not scheduled to return till late! The fish were way out and Joel needed some extra time to get back! No problem. I gather the group of 18 at the top of the dock and ran through a brief seminar!
People really need to be prepared for each trip may it be a newbie or the experienced angler reminded to walk the TUNA Shuffle!
We had heard of some new fish out at the Butterfly, which would give us a lot more fishing time and we agreed. A quick stop for some lethargic anchovy and we were headed west! Bumpy going to the swell, but the group held in there.
The morning started like the majority of trips. Gray light volunteer trollers producing a quick stop for a small Albacore.... Small, but the right kind. I flip a Chovie on my CLB804 Seeker and Wamo! The 15lb. line was screaming off the reel. this was the kind. Everyone
looked on as Joel made light rumor of retiring my rod after this fish.... This wasn't the first time this year has seen this scenario with me.
After 15 minutes of smooooth operating the fish came to color and he was Big! Close to 40lb. Just as I got the arm burn, Joel stuck 'em with the gaff. WOW, what a way to wake up. Now the group was excited. A few stops and some light fish, but nothing was coming to the
boat. I saw breezers that just passed up good Chovie. There was a lot of bait out there. The whole area from San Clemente to Todo Santos is just loaded with bait. If you want them to eat they need the 15 string and a light 3/8 or 1/2 ounce sinker. Old School Albacore fishing, if there is such a thing.
The next few stops produced some of those healthy Longfin 25-30lb. They really worked a few of the unexpected anglers. Picking and scratching, the anglers are feeling the excitement. Just one great stop is all it would take. we continued the day with some great
fishing, food and fun......Joel heard that there were some good scores @ the 43 from the Privates, so off we went.
Lunch on the way and quick siesta and we were fresh. Had a few stop while fishing along the side of Mark Ornoz's new Pacific Voyager! Nice vessel. We saw breaking fish that would not eat, its all the damn bait in the water. We got a few 15 lb. and the jackpot fish at
the 43. David Udell did a nice job against the rail to stop his 30lb. longfin.... We was worked, but very excited to see that his fish was going to beat everyone's that was entered in the J.P. (I don't participate in the pool).
We ended our trip with a smooth ride back into Pt. Loma with a Porterhouse steak, Caesar salad and the fixings.....Merlot for those for the taste and the usual raffles. Kicker Jigs went to Victor Woo and Chris Seabretchs (spelling). The Penn 500L was awarded to Ian Hilton, great young man. The Seeker 270 e-glass went to John Belanich and the CJB65F black steel composite was won by John Amberg who proudly donated it to Keith Hilton who's was sick the entire trip. John you win the sportsman award. A 50% discount ticket for trip #7 was a
bonus prize won by C. W. Kim of La Jolla and last but not least, a special mention goes out to the trip organizer's Jim Lyon and Chris Seabretchs. Great job guy's good group... Lets do it again.
Thanks to the great people at Seeker Rods, Kicker Jigs, B.C. Distributing, Penn, CTX Mortgage and
the crew of the Conquest for their continued product and support. Without them I couldn't continue the fine work that I do on the water.
Hope to see you all on the water and good fishing to everyone.
Jamie Spencer / JES Sport Fishing
