An ultra light load is what some of my clients asked for as we started the season this year and me being one to listen to the client, I did just that. We had originally scheduled trip 8 for a 18 open party Saturday fishing trip. What was to it? A few less people and a
slightly higher rate!
The weather for the past week on the water was fantastic! Warm, calm and the counts were really starting to pick up. Why was I having a problem selling 12 total spots on the Conquest for a Friday outing? It must have been the long holiday weekend.
As the week progressed and Friday approached the San Diego bite was pretty much Wide open fishing with most boats close to limiting out. This was going to be great. 12 maximum on the boat, a great crew and predicted phenomenal weather.
I took the drive down with my Buddy Bill Holman. A nice change for me. Great conversation and what seemed a short ride we arrived early to Fisherman's Thursday evening had some fish tacos at Hudson's Bay there at Point Loma Sportfishing and then relaxed. Joel was not
going to be in till 8:30 for he has gone 88 miles and fished till the last hour.
Our group gathered slowly. First the Union Pacific guys came. great gents, always full of jokes and great stories. This time they even brought a son of age 14. As we all gathered it was obvious that everyone was aware of what to do. I skipped my seminar and let Joel do
his solely. We were off.....
The ride down was just like a Cadillac and we awoke to a beautiful day. I think Brian the 2nd ticket took a wrong turn because the water was like a lake, calmer than I have ever seen it. In gray light we took our first fish. One albacore and and one skipjack, ahhh . .
. . . skippies.
Moving, moving we picked and scratched looking for that school to fill the boat. We turned and tossed bait on one paddy and a swear there I saw a wall of Yellowtail to 8 lb. come to the boat. They were smaller so we only stayed a short time. Joel wanted to get the
bigger fish and we were on our way to the 90 mile mark just for that. Joel could return a bit later because he was on a day and a half the next trip. Great!
As we scratched at the skippies and took a couple of albacore then Joe Chait on the Pegasus was busy loading up on a Kelp paddy. Mixed fish he said.... Hey Joel, come on down... with that we fired 'em up to cruise and moved to the South east. As we came up on the area
there were a few kelp paddies, but no one was home. We went and drifted the spot that we were called into and there was
nothing. HMMMMM. We kept looking. Joel saw one small kelp that I would have never thought help fish, but that's why he's the skipper..... Bring in the jigs and lets throw bait the captain announced and bait we threw. One, two, three, the entire boat went bendo!
We had to work fast we were near out of time. Albacore, Yellowtail, breezing skippies and then the Dorado. They joined Bill and I at the bow and were not there long, but we got 2 during their spectacular visit. As the fishing slowed and the clock past 12 noon I knew we
were out of time and saw the fillet board working its way to me...We would be home by 10:00PM with 38 Albacore, 17 Yellowtail and 2 Dorado for 12 anglers. Not to Shabby. Hot hand for the day was Little Andy McGinnis on his first tuna trip.
Nap time was near and most of the anglers retired for the ride home. I awoke to an incredible sky and moon over Coronado Island and ran for the camera. Nice shot.
Big E, the Galley cook on the Conquest had dinner ready. Porterhouse, Potato, Rolls, Caesar salad and Merlot for those that desired. Excellent.
Raffles and Ice Cream what a better mix as the Kicker Jigs were awarded to Gene McNany, Randy Barnett and my friend Bill Holman. The much needed Diawa SLV50 went to Gary Reid who started this trip with a spinner and was converted by the time we left the dock. Seeker
Blanks were next. Al Stankewicz (Tuna Q) won the 270, that was his 2nd rod this year (!!) and little hot hand Andy McGinnis won the Black Steel CJBF65.
Great Job All!
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.
Take care and I hope to see you all on the water.
Jamie Spencer / JES Sport Fishing
