Sorry for the delay in this report folks, but I my real job has been a bit busy... Mortgage interest rates are at an all time low and I have been working some rather long hours.... Its funny how one thing can be hot and the next day its not! Kind of like fishing. 

I departed for San Diego, Thursday 7/25 with the majority of the fleet having been whacking limits for most of the week. The moon was a bit full, but the weather was great.

This weekend (and trip!) in 2001 was the weekend that this same group of anglers joined me in search of the first Bluefin for the year. The next morning we found them out to the west of the dumper on a stop that never trolled once and lasted some 13 hours with fish to 60 lb. Yes, hopes were high, but wouldn't yours be? You were going with a great limited load outfit with one of the most aggressive skippers and crews in the fleet, Joel Ralston's Relentless! 

We all meet at Fisherman's before 8:00 the group from Cox Cable were all there and the rest were soon to follow. We had our brief seminar and off to the bait receiver we were... Joel had mentioned that the fish were moving and there were some reports of a larger grade of Albacore to the West, but did know the numbers. 

We decided to play it safe and go to the previous days spot and work the outside edge. Gray light was early as I arouse at 5:15 to see the sky already changing... Amazingly, trollers 1-4 were up by the time I had my first cup of coffee and we started our day. Hmmm, I thought, things were already a bit different from 2 weeks ago on the Conquest. 

It took about 25 minutes to get the first jig strike and then only one bait fish.  We worked the area scratching the entire time... It was 8:30AM before we really saw anything happen besides breakfast and it ran out of gas after four fish. These fish would not come up to the boat! 

As the skies got a bit brighter I thought to use the OLE stand by jig. You know, its the black Zuker with the Fuchsia skirt I mentioned in the last report. As soon as I got the chance to get it out, it got hit and nicely.... This fish pulled line on the 80lb rig... As it came to the boat we were amazed at the size. It was @ 30lb and the largest longfin the crew had seen all year. 

We continued to the Southwest and found ourselves in the gap between the "Race Track" and the 92 Mile mark that reports came in from days earlier. It would be about an hour and a half till we would find the temp break, but as soon as we did we changed the troll speed and WHAMO! A triple jig strike and 2 bait fish.  

Kevin Morse was on again.  Being selective at the bait tank sorting through the "All Chovy" menu, I thought that I too had missed on this stop. A fresh, healthy, tangle free bait hit the water and "fresh one" yelled Larry from the bait tank! That's what it's all about.... Pick the right bait and put it in the right place and you will get bit.

The Black Zuker continued to stop the boat as I let other borrow my outfit, but it only result in a few fish.... Someone must have turned of the bite switch in the heavens because we were in the zone, but the fish were out to lunch. The day was drawing to an end and all 17 and myself were hoping that we would find the stop to save our day.....It never materialized and we sat down to our T-bone steaks with tired minds and with 52 fish for the day as the crew dropped the sea anchor for a restful nights sleep. 

Rested and still full from the previous nights entree, I climbed the stairs to the galley to the smell of bacon and fresh coffee. The crew was getting us ready for the day and Joel and I spoke of his plans. We were going to work this area 92 miles from the landing and start to head up the line as we did to extend our day. We fired the motors up and took off.

The seas were much flatter and the temperature was warmer than the day before ... maybe we would recover! It only takes one stop. I stepped inside a moment and called for the expected bite while I was off deck doing my morning duties, it was about a minute since my announcement when the trollers went bendo. God I love when I do that! 

Running from the head I grabbed my 806 with the new Trinidad 14 packed with the Ande 15lb and saw three angler hooked up. 

Great, here we go ....................................NOPE! 

Three fish is all to be had. Joel figured our count was dropping to 2.5 fish an hour and he was UNhappy.  We worked the entire area and nothing - the only thing that worked was when Joel changed up the troll speed. It was nice because I saw some of the anglers that were a bit woozy the day before get some fish. 

Time was running out and it the situation looked bleak! Joel gave us an extra trolling rotation that produce two jig fish and then he announce we had to kick it for home. Disappointed, but still very please to have such great weather, good companionship, wonderfully prepared meals and a excellent crew most of us settled for a movie in the Relentless surround sound galley to recover! 

This trip meant a lot to me because I love to fish with this group, they appreciate the sport, the people and the water. I may not have had enough raffles for everyone, but I made sure everyone was going to go home with something even if it was a shirt. 

Raffles were awarded while passing the Coronado's and the prizes went something like this...The Seeker 670 E-glass was awarded to Nick Howerton, Sr., angler Tom Csabon took the Composite CTS60H and trip organizer John McFarland won a 270-7. The Pro Gear 251 was given to Bob Nemo of NoHo and the Penn 500L was awarded to our newest angler Dave "Burt Renyolds"  Wray. Kicker Jigs were taken home by Gayle McBride, DJ Wood, Nick Howerton, Jr. and Robert Cummings and the mirror lure deep diver gave new hope to Jim Russ rounding off the list of prizes. 

I want to close by stating that this trip meant a lot to me because I love to fish with this group, they have been there to watch J.E.S. grow and have supported me for years. They appreciate the sport, the people and the water. I may not have had enough raffles for everyone, but I made sure everyone was going to go home with something even if it was a J.E.S. shirt. Jack Pot trophy was won by "hot hand" Kevin Morse for his day one efforts of the biggest bait fish. 

Thanks again to the great people at Relentless Sportfishing, Seeker Rods, Kicker Jigs, BC Distributing and CTX for all their entire product support, you are the ones that make it all possible. 

Next outing is trip #6, which is sold out, as well as most of the J.E.S. season. The next available spots are on trip 10 departing Friday evening, Sept 20th aboard the Relentless. This is a one day trip returning Saturday evening the 21st @ 8PM. All interested individuals should call or write for more details. Also don't forget to check the schedule page at http://www.jessportfishing  for future trips and to book those last second cancellations 

See ya on the water,
Jamie Spencer