Fri morning I took a look at the reservations on the Freedom trip fishing Sat. overnight and saw it had enough to go. As usual, I decided to go at the last minute. I had assumed they were planning to fish San Nic for cod, which I was really aiming for. Luckily I got some information later on before I left that they were fishing Tanner Bank... on an overnight! So, I switched gears and brought a little for BFT and codding. Yup, too much tackle!
Ten o'clock rolled around and the boat untied from 22nd St Landing and we headed to the receiver. We would find a mix of small sardines and anchovies. Oh boy, it's gonna be light line time. Next we all gathered in the galley for Capt Tino's update of what we were to expect. We were to look around for tuna first thing and if they bite, continue that plan. If not then go codding and then hit the high spot for maybe some yellowtail.
By daylight we arrived at the bank to join several other sport boats that were either on 1.5 or multi day trips. I believe we were the only overnighter. For the first few hours the capt. saw bluefin on the meter and we also saw visual jumpers constantly. But after only hooking a few deeper biters, we opted to hit some bottom spots. Tino informed us over the PA that he had accidentally found this rock that was loaded with giant reds on a previous trip. YES, that's what I was looking for!
So, first drift on this new spot with a 6 oz Jax jig and low and behold, there they were! This is probably the biggest red I've ever caught! A big gaffer! Was I stoked? Beyond!
My buddy Ed and I were talking about bouncing jigs for big cod before we hit this and I told him, now is the time.
Crazy quality! I would have been happy with the size of the one in my right hand! PB red for sure.
We loaded up on the bottom fish until they stopped biting. Next was hitting the high spot for whitefish, sheephead, or maybe even some yellows. As we pulled up to it, the crew was told to "salt it up" with some chum. I saw some boils and grabbed my jigstick and landed 3 yellows. I was a happy camper! After a little while of doing this, we were running out of time. I knew we were just about to head for the barn.
Capt remarked that if we bumped into anything, we would stop and fish it. I was honestly not optimistic at this point. He added that there was no trip tonight so if we had to, we could stay late. His prophecy would later be fulfilled.
As the boat pointed toward the dock we were now headed back but still in the area of the bank. Tino suddenly came over the PA and said "Braille bait! Braille bait! Massive school here!" I said HUH?
For the next 3 hours we got into a steady plunker bite. Fish ranged from 20 to 45 lbs but mostly in the 30-35. 20-25 lb leader was the key, but 30 and 40 worked also. I primarily fished 25 fluoro with a small #4 circle hook and spent the time at the well looking for the liveliest bait.
When all was said and done, we fished until dark and still 75 miles from the dock. But we had LIMITS from that stop.
Happy!
Happy!
Happy! $$$
The reality was that we would not get back to the dock until around midnight. Our overnighter had turned into almost a 1.5 day trip thanks to the persistent effort by the capt. and his crew. They went above and beyond what any one would expect from a trip like this. Can't recommend this operation enough!
It's the end of Nov and the fish are still biting. So get out there!
Tired...
-Sherm
Ten o'clock rolled around and the boat untied from 22nd St Landing and we headed to the receiver. We would find a mix of small sardines and anchovies. Oh boy, it's gonna be light line time. Next we all gathered in the galley for Capt Tino's update of what we were to expect. We were to look around for tuna first thing and if they bite, continue that plan. If not then go codding and then hit the high spot for maybe some yellowtail.
By daylight we arrived at the bank to join several other sport boats that were either on 1.5 or multi day trips. I believe we were the only overnighter. For the first few hours the capt. saw bluefin on the meter and we also saw visual jumpers constantly. But after only hooking a few deeper biters, we opted to hit some bottom spots. Tino informed us over the PA that he had accidentally found this rock that was loaded with giant reds on a previous trip. YES, that's what I was looking for!
So, first drift on this new spot with a 6 oz Jax jig and low and behold, there they were! This is probably the biggest red I've ever caught! A big gaffer! Was I stoked? Beyond!

My buddy Ed and I were talking about bouncing jigs for big cod before we hit this and I told him, now is the time.

Crazy quality! I would have been happy with the size of the one in my right hand! PB red for sure.

We loaded up on the bottom fish until they stopped biting. Next was hitting the high spot for whitefish, sheephead, or maybe even some yellows. As we pulled up to it, the crew was told to "salt it up" with some chum. I saw some boils and grabbed my jigstick and landed 3 yellows. I was a happy camper! After a little while of doing this, we were running out of time. I knew we were just about to head for the barn.
Capt remarked that if we bumped into anything, we would stop and fish it. I was honestly not optimistic at this point. He added that there was no trip tonight so if we had to, we could stay late. His prophecy would later be fulfilled.
As the boat pointed toward the dock we were now headed back but still in the area of the bank. Tino suddenly came over the PA and said "Braille bait! Braille bait! Massive school here!" I said HUH?
For the next 3 hours we got into a steady plunker bite. Fish ranged from 20 to 45 lbs but mostly in the 30-35. 20-25 lb leader was the key, but 30 and 40 worked also. I primarily fished 25 fluoro with a small #4 circle hook and spent the time at the well looking for the liveliest bait.

When all was said and done, we fished until dark and still 75 miles from the dock. But we had LIMITS from that stop.

Happy!

Happy!

Happy! $$$

The reality was that we would not get back to the dock until around midnight. Our overnighter had turned into almost a 1.5 day trip thanks to the persistent effort by the capt. and his crew. They went above and beyond what any one would expect from a trip like this. Can't recommend this operation enough!
It's the end of Nov and the fish are still biting. So get out there!
Tired...
-Sherm