8 day in July

[offshore6]

I am signed up for an 8-day on the Excel, leaving July 11. I've never been on a summer trip before and don't know quite what to expect. I assume that we will hit the bluefin for a day or two at the beginning and/or end of the trip. Are wahoo a possibility in mid-July? Most likely some ridge fishing. Yellowtail? Smallish yellowfin? Kelps?
I plan on taking everything from 20 lb to 100 lb outfits. Any suggestions for someone who has to travel from Florida?

 

[Intrepid Fan]

I would take everything you can feasibly hall on a plane. You could be fishing for a whole variety and sizes of fish

 

[hucklongfin]

I did a June 8 day on the Excel last year. It was BFT up here and YT down on the Ridge.

 

[abdiver7777]

You could run into anything... The local waters are just now starting to warm up so bring what you got.... Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it....

Have fun!

 

[surfgoose]

Coming from Florida means that hauling a lot of tackle around is a big deal. I have fished the EXCEL and you will have a great time, but don't overthink it. They have really nice tackle packages you can rent with confidence, and a lot of the other fishermen will also be using their gear. What will it cost you to bring your own tackle out and back?

I would concentrate on bringing personal gear, like fishing shirts and short boots and hat and light jacket and sunglasses and your belt tools and such. Also an alarm clock to wake you up in the night to check if there is a night bite going on. A handful of favorite lures. Everything else you can get as needed on the boat, and will cost you less than hauling it across country and back.

You will very likely get your biggest fish while on the kite rotation, and using the boat's gear. And don't forget to budget for processing and shipping your fish back home. It can get expensive fast.

 

[ChicoBob]

Last year on RRiii July 8 day that left on the 10th we had very good wahoo and yt at the rocks. Over 100 hoos! Incredible dropping looping for 30 to 40+ lb yellows! Finished up on the bluefin which was a let down after fishing Alijos. Boat did get 4 big BF and a couple dozen schoolers. Be ready for anything

 

[offshore6]

Last year on RRiii July 8 day that left on the 10th we had very good wahoo and yt at the rocks. Over 100 hoos! Incredible dropping looping for 30 to 40+ lb yellows! Finished up on the bluefin which was a let down after fishing Alijos. Boat did get 4 big BF and a couple dozen schoolers. Be ready for anything

That would be exactly the type trip that I am looking for! I have done a lot of 10-17 day Fall/Winter trips but I signed up for this one in hopes of getting a shot at Bluefin (never landed one) while still brining home some wahoo and yellowtail. I'll have the right mix of tackle, I hope.

 

[ChicoBob]

That would be exactly the type trip that I am looking for! I have done a lot of 10-17 day Fall/Winter trips but I signed up for this one in hopes of getting a shot at Bluefin (never landed one) while still brining home some wahoo and yellowtail. I'll have the right mix of tackle, I hope.

Wahoo definitely not a sure thing that early, but they've been there the last couple years. Fingers crossed!

 

[jmma]

I am signed up for an 8-day on the Excel, leaving July 11. I've never been on a summer trip before and don't know quite what to expect. I assume that we will hit the bluefin for a day or two at the beginning and/or end of the trip. Are wahoo a possibility in mid-July? Most likely some ridge fishing. Yellowtail? Smallish yellowfin? Kelps?
I plan on taking everything from 20 lb to 100 lb outfits. Any suggestions for someone who has to travel from Florida?

You picked a great boat. I am on an 8 day on the Excel myself at the end of July. You can plan on a little bit of everything. Kelp paddies for Yellowtail, Dorado, Alijos Rocks for bigger Yellowtail, the ridge, I'm sure a couple days for some local SD Bluefin perhaps a nice tropyh, maybe Guadalupe if they get permits. 25-100 lb gear will have you covered. I went out May 22 and the bait was nice size so 2/0 hooks instaed of 2. The closer you get Jason should be able to give better advice. Whatever is biting at the time they will put you on it so you should have a great time.

 

[mmayo]

Our group, the Barking Spiders, has been on 8 day late June early July since 1999. We have had purely epic bites of bluefin (not locals), local bft, yellowfin, huge yellowtail, pre-limit carnage on albacore, huge 50# albacore and wahoo. You should be prepared for anything. The boat and generous anglers can supplement what you don’t have.

We leave 7/2 and I’m already wiggly.

 

[Riccochet]

I am signed up for an 8-day on the Excel, leaving July 11. I've never been on a summer trip before and don't know quite what to expect. I assume that we will hit the bluefin for a day or two at the beginning and/or end of the trip. Are wahoo a possibility in mid-July? Most likely some ridge fishing. Yellowtail? Smallish yellowfin? Kelps?
I plan on taking everything from 20 lb to 100 lb outfits. Any suggestions for someone who has to travel from Florida?

I've been fishing this trip for years. Great group of guys and awesome boat and crew.
I'm fortunate enough to be able to bring my own gear as I drive out from Arizona. Travelling from Florida you might consider carrying your own reels on the plane and borrowing boat rods. I always like having a second and third option in the rack during a bite. Here is what I'll bring this trip. I'll mostly fish the Mak 10 adjusting shorter flouro topshots from 20-40 lbs for flyline and the Mak 15II or the Avet for jig/yoyo.
The mak 20 is my trolling outfit down south or my sinker rig/knife jig set up for BFT
The mak 16 backs that up and also works well with grouper.

Makaira 10SEA with Phenix Hybrid 760XH (30#-80#) 65# Braid 25-40
Makaira 15SEA with Calstar GFGR800H (30#-80#) 80# Braid 40-80
Makaira 15 TII UC RGP80 Predator (30#-80#) 80# Braid 30-80
Makaira 16SEA with 7'2" Phenix axis 3x (60#-130#) 100# Braid 80-130
Makaira 20SEA with 7'2" Phenix axis 4x (80#-200#) 130# Braid 130-200
AVET HXJ raptor with Calstar GFGR875H (30#-80#) 80# Braid 40-80
Cedros 15s Star Drag with 7'2 ugly stick (30#-60#) 65# Braid 30-60 mono

Looking forward to sharing the rail.

Richard

 

[Intrepid Fan]

On seven to ten day trips you will most likely use the biggest variety of tackle then on other trips.

 

[zohanw]

You picked a great boat. I am on an 8 day on the Excel myself at the end of July. You can plan on a little bit of everything. Kelp paddies for Yellowtail, Dorado, Alijos Rocks for bigger Yellowtail, the ridge, I'm sure a couple days for some local SD Bluefin perhaps a nice tropyh, maybe Guadalupe if they get permits. 25-100 lb gear will have you covered. I went out May 22 and the bait was nice size so 2/0 hooks instaed of 2. The closer you get Jason should be able to give better advice. Whatever is biting at the time they will put you on it so you should have a great time.

Same boat! Tuna Slicer?

 

[JohnTFT]

That would be exactly the type trip that I am looking for! I have done a lot of 10-17 day Fall/Winter trips but I signed up for this one in hopes of getting a shot at Bluefin (never landed one) while still brining home some wahoo and yellowtail. I'll have the right mix of tackle, I hope.

Eric - we have been fishing together a long time.

I have never seen you undergunned, or under prepared.

You will have the right gear - you always do!

 

[Russ Scholl]

I am signed up for an 8-day on the Excel, leaving July 11. I've never been on a summer trip before and don't know quite what to expect. I assume that we will hit the bluefin for a day or two at the beginning and/or end of the trip. Are wahoo a possibility in mid-July? Most likely some ridge fishing. Yellowtail? Smallish yellowfin? Kelps?
I plan on taking everything from 20 lb to 100 lb outfits. Any suggestions for someone who has to travel from Florida?

Eric the only suggestion I can think of is-take me with you!