Different people read my title and some expect limits and a few folks did limit. I did not, but that was my choice not poor fishing. I judge a trip by many factors including how many fish were caught. The group of 15 anglers were fun every day. Generosity was the common theme. There were a variety of folks from “this is my last trip” to those interested in getting the most fish on every stop. Captain Mike Lackey was nothing short of amazing. He was VERY generous with his time spending many meals with us. You are VERY WELCOME in his wheelhouse. While on deck, he got a number of us bit taking our rod, hooking a bait and handing you the screaming setup after getting bit. Mine was a wahoo on fluoro (no wire) which was hooked perfectly in the corner of the mouth. I got the fish. His advice on fishing wahoo was the best I’ve received and it was evident on deck. Most people were able to calmly wind in their wahoo without drama and get that wahoo. We managed a great catch of those speedsters. There was a big bait making evening followed by some excellent big yellowtail fishing on the dropper with heavy string at night. If you used 60 or less you got tooled. Another bite was during the day with automatic hookups on sardines when your bait reached the bottom. I fished 80# on a Fathom 40 on a 700XH and was happy with that combo. The tails were 20-35 and everyone got enough. The treat was a bite of large pargo mixed with the tails. We caught enough to make a dinner and ceviche. After a move to the ridge we hooked up with a biting school of yellowfin. Every bait was either picked or you were on with a fish easily big enough to keep. Every cast was successful - long or short. The deck was crazy, bloody, but with cooperating anglers. Deckhands were highly skilled at avoiding issues or getting us out of trouble. A couple of people drew the coveted big models, one to the most skilled and one to an angler with considerably less skill - go figure. Several times during the trip we were attacked by voracious schools of dorado. We released many and moved on. On the way up we stopped for calicos. The predawn bite was EPIC. Every fish was big. How big? - I fished with jigs with 50 and 40 and both sticks were bent considerably. I saw 4-9 pounders everywhere. They felt more like yellowtail.
The crew was excellent, helpful and fun. If I walked up to the bait tank it was filled instantly with great sardines. If you needed help, needed rigging or advice they came through every time. The galley was manned by Abe and Dillon who managed to add five pounds to my girth. The food was excellent especially the freshly caught wahoo.
The charter master, Dwayne Patenaude and his wife Debbie made every effort to keep us happy. Debbie takes pictures, prints them and gives them to you the next day!
So great in many ways…
The crew was excellent, helpful and fun. If I walked up to the bait tank it was filled instantly with great sardines. If you needed help, needed rigging or advice they came through every time. The galley was manned by Abe and Dillon who managed to add five pounds to my girth. The food was excellent especially the freshly caught wahoo.
The charter master, Dwayne Patenaude and his wife Debbie made every effort to keep us happy. Debbie takes pictures, prints them and gives them to you the next day!
So great in many ways…
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