Just got back from an 8 day fishing adventure on the beautiful independence fishing vessel. First off I want to thank the captain and his entire crew. Okay so let’s get started. I met a guy on BD that was going to be his first ever trip on any San Diego boat. We met up once I arrived in San Diego. I picked him up at his hotel and we made a bee line to squdico tackle a must see tackle shop for those of you that’s never been there. After we spend some $$$ in squdico we took a ride over to the docks and ate lunch at Mitches seafood over looking some of the boats. Okay next morning I picked up Pat and we loaded our gear and drove over to see alot of anglers already in line. We unloaded my truck and the anticipation began to build. After checking into the independence office we get back inline and soon the red shirts are pushing our dock carts down the ramp and we our boarding the Indy. After getting bait and clearing the point the captain comes down for the safety seminar. Soon a lot of anglers are catching up on some much needed sleep. The next day we have a tackle seminar and find out our first destination will be the rocks. A few of the anglers have never been to this magical place. Soon out comes the phone’s for the pictures of the rocks. Now get this. There taking pictures and we are still 5 miles away. Boy do I remember those days. I did the same dam thing. Lol. Soon the captain says troll team #1 your up. After trolling around for awhile we get out first wahoo. Now the wahoo being a bit to early we’re slow pickings. Boat scores 6 wahoo for the trip. Now it’s time to set up on the anchor a start fishing for yellowtail and yellowfin. Yes I said it right. YELLOWFIN ARE BACK AT THE ROCKS. Now they weren’t that big but a great showing of tuna in the 20-30 pound class. Soon it’s going off like crazy mayhem and the entire boat has a tuna or a big yellowtail on the hook. After the dust settles We start tallying up the first day total’s. We spent the night at the rocks and fish bait for more yellowtail the next day. After we get a tank full of bait some of us tried the dropper loop but the yellowtail didn’t want to play just right now. Next morning they were frisky and soon everyone is hooked up on some big yellowtail going 20-40 pounds. After a few they are boiling in the stern and I start tossing my green surface iron and BANG I have a nice mid 30 yellowtail on the hook and soon one of the deckhand’s sinks a gaff into my fish. The yellowtail we’re eating any offerings from fly line to a 2 ounce sinker or a 6X heavy jig or my favorite the surface iron. Before we end the day the crew is telling some of us save tags for dorado and bluefin as they count for 2.5 fish. I hook and hand a few fish. At dinner captain Matt comes down and asked if anyone had fun today. A huge applause erupts and he said we are going uphill to the bluefin grounds. Catch up on your sleep and lets seal the deal on the bluefin. After the 2 days back up hill and poker games in full swing everyone has their bluefin gear at the ready with knife jig and an assortment of jigs and fly line in the 30-60 pound and an 80 pound sinker rig. The first night was a bust with only 1 bluefin hooked and landed. Now the next morning the bluefin wanted to play and O boy it was game on. They were eating flying and 3-4 ounce setups. The first fish were on the smaller side going 20-30 pound’s but about an hour later the bigger bluefish made a showing going 40-80 and a couple standout fish braking the 100 pound mark. I myself was sticking to the 4 ounce sinker rig and being rewarded with 5 bluefin and 5 handoffs for the less fortunate. The next
Night a lot a guys hit the hay early. Big mistake. Every jig going down 60-100 feet got hit. I went down and woke up anyone that wanted a shot at a bluefin in the 40-80 pound range. Some came up like lightning hit them in the ass and a few came up 20-30 minutes later. The ones that came up right away were catching bluefin after bluefin but the slackers got zippo because the bite only lasted just under an hour. Big fish on the trip was a 172 bluefin caught by Pat on his very first long range trip. Congrats Pat. To end this post I want to thank our charter master Rick for the giveaways and the many rod’s and reels that guys had a shot at winning. Ted from Texas won a nice reel bag and everyone got a goody bag and t-shirts and a hat. Well done once again Rick. As for any American, this day has a special meaning. Many people think this is no longer the case for young people, but when I read the independence papers for students at the
[link], I understand that this is not the case. I believe that the education of patriotism in our youth is one of the priority tasks for all of us, but this discussion is for a separate topic. Also a big shoutout to everyone I fished with. An amazing group that I look forward to sharing the rail with next year. Enjoy the pictures
Fishing Tackle swap meet March 25th 8am at Long Beach Rod and Gun Club
