Zoner's, in the ZONE!
With the bite the way it has been over the last several weeks, I knew that the group of 10 anglers joining us from Arizona (Zoner's) was in for a real treat.
The main bodies of fish were on the retreat from Pt. Loma and biting at 100+ miles for the overnight fleet. Great news for the 2 day boats, but quite a long haul for an 11 knot sport fisher on an overnight trip.
Trip 5 with 18 was out of the bait receiver by 9:30 and on our 
way to the fishing grounds far, far away. The bite has been around 7:30AM so we with our head start we had plenty of time to make
the long run down the line.
As Joel proceeded to conduct the tackle and 
information seminar in the galley, I saw some eyebrows go up at what was being said. There were so individuals on board that were going to be
blown away with what they were about to experience in the next coming hours.
Gray light saw the water calm and the sky a bit overcast with the morning fog pressed up to the clouds… I saw the regulars in place and then said good morning to young Dirk Hamous and his father, Bruce, as I headed to the galley for Coffee.
It was now 6:30am and Joel was up to the wheel house and calling up the first group of trollers. There they were the new anglers on the stern…Aaron, Paul, Rey and Albert. The water was a bit off color so we stayed at cruise speed as Joel announced we were going to going a few miles over the 100 mile mark to find the good water.
It wasn't long after that that our first opportunity came with a double hookup on the feathers and 6 
bait fish. One of which came on my 5" sardine, Storm artificial. Hey guys these things really get bit.
Onward we pushed and as we neared the 110 mile marker the water was clear up, the late sleepers were on deck and we were 18 on deck. On the 3rd rotation we had our first "Zoner" Experience… He had thrown some bait on a mark, but were unsuccessful at raising the school…or so we thought!
A minute later I was looking at the corner and saw an trolling angler fussing with his rod and reel. I walked over and asked what was wrong and he replied, "My jig is heavy". I looked down at his reel only to see 80lb. line peeling off the 6/0 Penn and in disbelief I yelled out "hook up!"
That stop produced another 6-8 fish, but probably would have gone wide based on the size of the mark
on the sonar. . . had we not dragged the first fish a quarter mile!
As TunaQ and I stood at the bow pulling hard on our 40 lbs setups freshly 
hooked to quality Albacore we just laughed and knew we would have a few more of the same in the coming hours…make the most of and have fun
is our philosophy.
A little later, as I hooked my second bait fish ad casually handed
it off to our birthday boy, Donald Crance. The fish wanted to come to the boat and go wide, as noted by a boiling marlin on the corner at the 4th stop of the day but the bait, angler and timing synchronization was just a bit off.
As we continued our search the boat turned starboard on the next meter mark, "Chum Line"
pronounced Joel over the P/A. We slowed and deckhand Johnny threw the healthy sardine appetizers in our wash, the fish boiled, charged the boat and gave us our first triple hook up across the stern.
Gingerly tossing back a bait on the slide, I noticed young Dirk Hamous at the rail…I was immediately picked up and decided to hand off and assist the 9 year old angler.
With eyes the size of 
saucers the boy grabbed the rod out of my hands and started to the rail. I knew he was a bit tired so I stood by for support. As his fight continued using the rail as
his friend, Dirk really triumphed over the albie, as the rest of the boat continued to get bit. 
Several fish had already hit the deck when I looked up to see 5 anglers with bent rods on the port side and several multiple hook ups off the stern. Now the fish were eating the paint off the boat as breezer's could be seen and fish boiled off the corner.
"Wow", said angler Joe from Arizona… "This is incredible!" We ended this stop with a total of 32 fish making the count for the day 84 Longfins. It was now approaching 10:00AM and we had 6 fish to go for our "Zoner Limits in the Zone"!
Joel in his Relentless manner was not about to go now, so with that he made the big "lets get 6 more and kick it for the barn" announcement…Just as the trollers set their rods in the straps a
clicker screamed stopping the boat for the last six…
Congratulations to the Boys from Arizona, you all were great and adjusted to the style and fun of JES Sportfishing…Come back again soon!
As for the Raffles, they were presented as we split the Coronado Islands after a long nap, great steak dinner and Raspberry cheesecake.
Seeker Blanks are going to be wrapped for Aaron House and of course, the seemingly inevitable John "Wilson. . . Wilson" Branum, Young Dirk Hamous won a Shimano 15/30 star drag reel, which really put a smile on Dad's face.
Kicker Jigs were snatched up by Corey Mc Cort, Dennis Mueller and TunaQ. A Plano Tackle Box was given to Our "B" day angler Donald and the Manta style tuna belt was award to my first webmaster and dear friend Mathew Whitebrook. Good Going Guys!
Special mention go out to Paul Williams, Joe Antunez, Kreg Newsome, with the coffee grinder and Derral Crance…You guys really fished well and gave it all you got!
The judgment of the Jackpot fish was
close, but finally resolved after filleting the last of the fish… Yes, your charter master was beaten by Mike Burm from Mesa, AZ. The "Zoner" took home a great trophy to
commemorate his task and split the cash with the crew. Way to go, Mike!
Thank you Seeker Rods, Kicker Jigs, CTX Mortgage, and BC Distributing, without your support these great trips are not possible.
Take care all and I will see you on the water…
Jamie Spencer
Charter Master
J.E.S. Sportfishing
