Colonello Memorial 10/24 – 11/3/2021: “we might have been there yesterday”… or “here comes the son”…
But let's start with a few diversions…
When my son was 12 years old he used to love to watch the weekend fishing shows. At the time, he begged me to watch a show about long-range fishing in San Diego. Being logical & parental, I asked him, "why would we go coast-to-coast, when we have world-class fishing three hours away"? We watched it anyway and then got some Bill Roecker LR videos. Yeah… Hook, line and sinker!
As a birthday present the following year we went on a four-day, then a seven-day the next year with his best friend Robert and then the following year a nine-day. And so it goes… We all know how SDLR can be habit forming and so it was, until he went off to college… Now dad is sailing solo and decided to try another vessel. For eight solid years, through graduation, first job, second job, establishing a career and getting his own place, a return to SDLR would have to wait. Finally in 2021, after having resisted the siren song of SDLR, he's good to go from the man who signs the paychecks.
Second diversion: Table 5…
I'd always heard about other "big" boats but never had an opportunity to fish another boat while I was fishing with my son. I had heard from several other long-range anglers about the XL and it being a very “fishy” boat. With my son heading off to college I was free to chart a new course. I booked into the Colonello 10 day and arrived not knowing a soul. After stowing gear, I started to chat with some guys who had prior finished on the Qualifier 105. We traded some fish tails, spoke about equipment and expectations for the trip. I'd gone below deck to my cabin and had quickly fallen asleep. Startled, I woke to pandemonium, a pounding on the cabin door. It was Mr. Len Damerow, one of the Q-105 guys. He explained that I had missed the dinner announcement and I was going to “spend the night hungry” if I didn't come on up to the galley ASAP. All that is they say, was "the beginning of a wonderful friendship" with the anglers at table 5. Some folks say that Table 5 is filled with curmudgeons who always have something to grumble about, others find the repartee, quick retorts and feisty comments to be hilarious. Over the course of nine years, I have never looked back and continue to relish participating in the Colonello 10 day with Table 5.
Pregame 2021: The hunger for information increased as the weeks progressed showing great sign of good verifiable reports, rumors, verified fish counts, speculation and thousands scoops of conjecture. Fish of a good grade had been reported at Guadalupe for boats with active permits. Tuna of 40-155 were being caught and yet the dreaded taxman was ruthlessly impacting what actually got into the RSW. Reports cited the taxman's take as 50-85%… But wait, there were some experienced anglers who had paid the permit fees and been to Guadalupe recently, they confirmed the good grade as well as, the shocking odds. Some were adamantly opposed to paying for permits and on top of that, understanding they might be viciously taxed. Since the XL retained an active permit, calls to the office yielded a familiar confirmation that the captain would determine our destination, based on conditions at the time and reports from other members of the fleet, prior to our departure. Added to the chum line was a report of a big storm brewing up north heading towards us, rumored to have high winds and very large wave heights. The office confirmed that pending our target destination, weather conditions might or might not impact our logistics.
Day 1, 10/24: At 5:30 AM, I woke my son and went to grab a cart at the landing. Check out the off loads on the dock from two trips, which looks to be some nice grade fish. By 6:30 AM, lots of arrivals with the usual suspects. Table 5 contingent arrived, Len D., Paul W., Cheryl and Tom H., Dale M. the “technology master” and “Hoo’s your daddy” David L! Charter master Carlson, Wayne S. Shannon (legendary angler) and John N., Ron H., Eric T., Ed S., Renier, JVR. a semiannual participant, the always amazing Mike V., Larry L., Bill H., Richard O. & the very talented Rich K. on the spinner, as well as a whole batch of other individuals who are either not mentioned due to my aging brain or are unmentionable! We loaded up, paid our fees, documented our vaccination status, presented our passports and the redshirts got us aboard. This year our Capt would be Justin Fleck, with deckhands Vance, Tim, Nick, as well as our amazing photographer and deckhand René, with Richard the chef assisted by Chase. (Richard and Chase did not disappoint and created superb efforts throughout!)
A trip to the bait receivers finishes up about 12:45 PM and then a meeting with the captain revealed we were going to chart a course for Encinitas to check in for our Guadalupe permits. Reports confirmed a good grade tuna and minimal taxation. Strong advisement was for rigging with 60 and 80 pound outfits, utilizing fluorocarbon connections and 1.0 and 2.0 circle hooks of appropriate strength.
Let the rigging begin… And so we did. I'd be sharing my tackle bag with my son Evin and a quick review of the territory gave way to FG & San Diego knot tying, I’m always getting a lot of flack about my 13 outfits and Evin had a quiver of nine. Between us we should be ready for whatever was ahead. We make it into Encinitas for a quick check in with the Mexican authorities and a delicious dinner of spaghetti and meatballs as we motor South.
But let's start with a few diversions…
When my son was 12 years old he used to love to watch the weekend fishing shows. At the time, he begged me to watch a show about long-range fishing in San Diego. Being logical & parental, I asked him, "why would we go coast-to-coast, when we have world-class fishing three hours away"? We watched it anyway and then got some Bill Roecker LR videos. Yeah… Hook, line and sinker!
As a birthday present the following year we went on a four-day, then a seven-day the next year with his best friend Robert and then the following year a nine-day. And so it goes… We all know how SDLR can be habit forming and so it was, until he went off to college… Now dad is sailing solo and decided to try another vessel. For eight solid years, through graduation, first job, second job, establishing a career and getting his own place, a return to SDLR would have to wait. Finally in 2021, after having resisted the siren song of SDLR, he's good to go from the man who signs the paychecks.
Second diversion: Table 5…
I'd always heard about other "big" boats but never had an opportunity to fish another boat while I was fishing with my son. I had heard from several other long-range anglers about the XL and it being a very “fishy” boat. With my son heading off to college I was free to chart a new course. I booked into the Colonello 10 day and arrived not knowing a soul. After stowing gear, I started to chat with some guys who had prior finished on the Qualifier 105. We traded some fish tails, spoke about equipment and expectations for the trip. I'd gone below deck to my cabin and had quickly fallen asleep. Startled, I woke to pandemonium, a pounding on the cabin door. It was Mr. Len Damerow, one of the Q-105 guys. He explained that I had missed the dinner announcement and I was going to “spend the night hungry” if I didn't come on up to the galley ASAP. All that is they say, was "the beginning of a wonderful friendship" with the anglers at table 5. Some folks say that Table 5 is filled with curmudgeons who always have something to grumble about, others find the repartee, quick retorts and feisty comments to be hilarious. Over the course of nine years, I have never looked back and continue to relish participating in the Colonello 10 day with Table 5.
Pregame 2021: The hunger for information increased as the weeks progressed showing great sign of good verifiable reports, rumors, verified fish counts, speculation and thousands scoops of conjecture. Fish of a good grade had been reported at Guadalupe for boats with active permits. Tuna of 40-155 were being caught and yet the dreaded taxman was ruthlessly impacting what actually got into the RSW. Reports cited the taxman's take as 50-85%… But wait, there were some experienced anglers who had paid the permit fees and been to Guadalupe recently, they confirmed the good grade as well as, the shocking odds. Some were adamantly opposed to paying for permits and on top of that, understanding they might be viciously taxed. Since the XL retained an active permit, calls to the office yielded a familiar confirmation that the captain would determine our destination, based on conditions at the time and reports from other members of the fleet, prior to our departure. Added to the chum line was a report of a big storm brewing up north heading towards us, rumored to have high winds and very large wave heights. The office confirmed that pending our target destination, weather conditions might or might not impact our logistics.
Day 1, 10/24: At 5:30 AM, I woke my son and went to grab a cart at the landing. Check out the off loads on the dock from two trips, which looks to be some nice grade fish. By 6:30 AM, lots of arrivals with the usual suspects. Table 5 contingent arrived, Len D., Paul W., Cheryl and Tom H., Dale M. the “technology master” and “Hoo’s your daddy” David L! Charter master Carlson, Wayne S. Shannon (legendary angler) and John N., Ron H., Eric T., Ed S., Renier, JVR. a semiannual participant, the always amazing Mike V., Larry L., Bill H., Richard O. & the very talented Rich K. on the spinner, as well as a whole batch of other individuals who are either not mentioned due to my aging brain or are unmentionable! We loaded up, paid our fees, documented our vaccination status, presented our passports and the redshirts got us aboard. This year our Capt would be Justin Fleck, with deckhands Vance, Tim, Nick, as well as our amazing photographer and deckhand René, with Richard the chef assisted by Chase. (Richard and Chase did not disappoint and created superb efforts throughout!)
A trip to the bait receivers finishes up about 12:45 PM and then a meeting with the captain revealed we were going to chart a course for Encinitas to check in for our Guadalupe permits. Reports confirmed a good grade tuna and minimal taxation. Strong advisement was for rigging with 60 and 80 pound outfits, utilizing fluorocarbon connections and 1.0 and 2.0 circle hooks of appropriate strength.
Let the rigging begin… And so we did. I'd be sharing my tackle bag with my son Evin and a quick review of the territory gave way to FG & San Diego knot tying, I’m always getting a lot of flack about my 13 outfits and Evin had a quiver of nine. Between us we should be ready for whatever was ahead. We make it into Encinitas for a quick check in with the Mexican authorities and a delicious dinner of spaghetti and meatballs as we motor South.
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