Upon the return of the J.E.S. Sportfishing Trip 7, I was asked an interesting question. "Why do you anglers take these multi-day trips?" " Well", I replied, "several reasons". 

But the most important reason was the events that transpired on this very trip. While our prior one day trip was a classic, but rare open bluefin tuna bite with great results, one day trips don't always go that way.

Many a day can be spent searching for schools of the migrating species of tunas off of our southern coast. Hours of trolling, smelling diesel exhaust and throwing bait at meter marks hoping that the fish will come
to the boat! Our first day was very similar to one of these days ..... We had decided prior to departure to attempt to find the fast moving Bluefin that had captured the local news papers and radio for the last week or so. 

The bite had fallen off over the last few days, but Skipper Joel Ralston and I knew of an area @ 100+ miles South, South West that was renowned for holding big fish. As we geared up it was obvious that everyone on board had the same idea. Two speed reels, 40-60 lb line and stout rods dwarfed the usual light tackle setups. If we find 'em, we'll put the wood to them I thought aloud.

The morning brought the most incredible sunrise I had seen so far all season. Warm air, clear skies and a beautiful sun. Waters were a bit sloppy, but no challenge for our 65X22, vessel the Relentless.  We started the morning dragging dark feathers @ 92 miles from Pt Loma and within minute we were circling on a meter mark.

HOOK UP! Was it the right kind? What rod do you start with? The 30, the 40???? I took the chance and grabbed the 30 lb. string. Albacore!  Hmmmmmm, I thought! Maybe we should stick with the light line for now.

We had a few stops like this for a total of 4 troll and 3 bait fish as the clock struck 9:00 AM. When the  announcement came for the deck hand for a chum line, "Throw the big ones. . . . .  here's what we're looking for!" 

The bluefin wouldn't come to the boat and they were swimming at 180 feet. We sat there for 15 minutes soaking baits and not one of us got picked up. This was going to be our afternoon. Trolling, then stopping to toss bait and holding our breath as each angler attempted to get themselves a trophy fish. We found several small schools of albacore, but non wound stay with the boat.

As the afternoon passed us by and the bite never came, I had one angler pat me on the back and say, "Well, at least the food's good and beer is cold, you took care of what you could control" Ouch! That was a dig, but he was right! We at J.E.S. do everything we can to make it right! Hell, I even brought a few pounds of my famous smoked albacore on this trip which caused its own feeding frenzy in the galley. 

Captain Joel kept going.  We were in GOD'S country (more than 100 miles offshore) and we were staying to find the Bluefin. As the winds picked up I tied on two, 2 ounce egg sinkers and a 3/0 hook to my 30 lb set up to get the bait down to the elusive fish. My first bait sank out and after soaking it for several minutes I got picked up. Counting to set the hook, I put the Shimano TLD15 in gear and lifted my rod tip! NOT, I had forgotten I tied a circle and just pulled it out of the fish's mouth. Just my luck! That was the only bite on the big fish all day as we retired to the galley for the traditional steak dinner with bruised egos and hopeful thoughts of the next days fishing with only 33 albacore for the day.

Joel and I had a game plan. There was a spot 55 miles to the South East, but still 95 miles from the dock,  that had reports of some descent albacore fishing we would move to during the night. This is another primary reason we run multi-day trips. You get a chance to look or go hunting one day and if it doesn't pan out you get a partial second day to recover. 

As the group of 18 slept comfortably the Detroits rumbled to our new destination. The crew dropped the sea anchor @ 1:30 AM without disturbing a sole and upon our rise in the morning bait had collected under the boat and we were ready to get busy. The bait was mainly sardines, but if you found a chovie it was certain to get hooked up. "Yahooooo", cried one first time angler as he landed another long fin.

These were the first timers that actual fell for the ole eating of the heart trick and eat they did, chewing and loving it!

As the sun rose higher, the decks turned red and we were on are way to reaching one day limits on the albacore.  We moved several time after the initial spot petered out, but it never materialized.  Joel even called the landing and said we would be returning late in an attempt to give us a few more opportunities.

On our last trolling rotation the boat got stopped with 2 troll fish and the fish started boiling on the corners. We got a few bait fish, but the bite quickly died and we had to kick it for the barn.

There was a great group of anglers here and they all smiled as I shook there hands and thanked them for their support. Many commented that this was the best crew, service, team work, boat and outing they had ever been on, stating they would be out again soon. 

Raffles were awarded as we passed inside the Coronado Islands. Seeker blanks were awarded to Rich Hallack, Keith Orr, and Gene McNany. Kicker Jigs went home with Victor Camacho, Brian Weathers, Sandip Mali and Bill Osborne. The Pro-Gear reel was awarded to Collin McNany and the Mirror Lure Deep Diver lure was won by Joe Ramirez. 

Big fish for the 2-day outing presented the Jackpot award and trophy to Gene McNany of father son team from Palos Verde, congratulations!!

Thank you Seeker Rods, Kicker Jigs, CTX Mortgage, and BC Distributing. With out your support these great trips are not possible.

Next outing is trip 9 departing Thursday evening; September 12th from Fisherman's Landing on the Relentless. This is a sold out 2-day trip headed out on the right moon phase for bluefin. Cross your fingers and wish us luck!

Speak with you soon, your charter master,
Jamie Spencer