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8-11-2001 aboard the OuterLimits |
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After a week of decreasing fish counts and nervous fisherman, it did not lift my spirits as I searched my SST maps and weather links prior to making our departure and saw forecast of heavier weather moving in to the area. There were no real currents or temperature breaks in the area. The only thing that was for sure was that the 1 1/2 & 2 day boats were getting the meat. I arrived at Seaforth Landing to meet some of the guests prior to departure. They were elated to hear the contents of my recent cell phone conversation with Joel Ralston. The Southern fish popped up just below the northern 1010 trench. A long ride for an overnight, but we were on the Outer Limits. The vessel can make the 90 mile turn around with plenty of time for the anglers to have a great day on the water. Assembled in the galley our group of 20 was informed of the next days events by young Skipper, Paul. I still remember him as the little boy decking the O/L, years ago anyway. The fish were long, the bait was fair and we would be there by 6:00AM. The motors fired and off we went into the darkness. As I awoke with a dream of me falling, I realized that it wasn't a dream. The seas were bumpy....... a few of the good ones were when the bottom dropped out. Ouch. Dawn was more of the same..... gray light, 4 to 5 foot swells, anxious anglers and the smell of bacon. HHHmmmmmm. What more could you ask for? I saw my old friend Al Stankewicz (TunaQ) on the stern, enjoying a nice hot cup of fresh coffee and trolling all alone with his feathers way back as we moved along at 12.5 knots. We were moving. Al was shortly joined by future jackpot winner for the day John Branum and a few other folks waiting for the action to begin. At 85 miles we had our first minor break in surface temp. a .4º and that is all it took to stop the boat. HOOK UP!!!!! Now I know why Al is up working before most other anglers, and the beating tails on the deck quickly drew running anglers up from the bunks. Two troll fish and 1 bait fish. Funny, 2 Albacore and a yellowtail. I knew that the waters were a bit stirred up, but this was really funny. We proceeded to move south, then east..... "Oh, there is the rest of the fleet" I said. Sport boats all boxing the area 3 miles ahead. We had come in from the northern outside as the reckon team. GRRRRRRRR, went the Shimano 2 speed. This one was mine. We got 4 on that stop. All Albacore. The day continued like this... a few stops with bait fish and a mix of species. Gosh, if we were lucky we might get 3 or 4 different varieties. The day was starting to pass us by. We had about 33 fish and an hour until we had to turn for home. The feathers had been out for sometime. I looked at Al and said "If anything is going to happen it better happen now" Guess what? Just then 3 of the 4
rods lit up. Disparate anglers tossed swim baits on the slide. Freshhhhh one!! The trip ended with some tired anglers, 23 or so Albacore, 12 yellowtail and 4 yellowfin tuna. It is amazing what rough seas does to your body. We all retired to our bunks for a well deserved nap. As Tim in the Galley prepared the Sirloins with fresh vegetables, potato's and Caesar salad the fisherman began to arise. Few a bit slow, but all hungry. The anglers like the dinner bell because they know that the raffles are not far behind. Kicker Jigs were awarded to Jim Brown, Mickey Burdett and Jeff Belardes. The Penn 500L was taken home by Don Pollock from Coto de Caza and for those Seeker Blanks.... The 270 E-Glass went to Stan Brzezinsky of Simi Valley and the Black Steel graphite composite CJB65 went to Allcoaster Al Stankewicz from San Diego. The usual thanks to the great people at Seeker Rods, Kicker Jigs, BC Distributing and CTX Mortgage for their product support. I thank you again and again. The year seemed to be progressing faster than the last year. .. With new counts of Albacore, Yellowfin, Dorado and Yellowtail all in the same waters. Jamie Spencer / JES Sport Fishing |
