Just a 2.5 day

[Steve K]

Looks like I’m going to be able to get away for a birthday trip, 2.5 day on the Vagabond May 13-16. Because I’m coming down from Reno for this trip, I’ll only be bringing 3 reels and borrowing rods from my friend, Joe. I’m thinking 25-30 for flylining, 50-60 for YoYo iron and maybe sinker rig, and then a big gun for 100-130, fish the knife jig bridled to a 9/0 Super Mutu.

Probably
FTHXN15LD2, FTH40NLD2 and Mak 16SEa.

 

[Let em eat 74]

I think you’re just fine there Steve.

 

[HoxFish]

Hmmm...maybe I'm planning on bringing too much gear for my 2.5 next month.

 

[Tsmithson]

Steve,
I will be very interested in your trip, what you guys are catching and on what.
I will be on the Excel for a 3 day on the 19-22.
I hope the BF are in a playful mood.
I haven’t figured out what I’m bringing but with a lot less experience LR then you, I’ll probably bring 3 times the gear I need until I figure it out.

 

[2Rotten]

On my 3-Day on Intrepid May 6 - 9 I'm bringing damn near everything I own!

• GP 80 Mega/Torque 25 nld2 for 30#
• US Terminator/Torque 30/2 for 40#
• GP Terminator/Mak 15T for 60# daytime jigs/stealthy sinker rig
• 7'6" UC Centaur/Mak 16 for heavy sinker rig
• 7'6" UC Viper/Mak 20 for nighttime jigs
• UC Zeus-3/Fathom 40 nld2 for speed jigging
• 8'0" OTI Tuna Sniper/Saragosa 25000 for Poppers

What am I forgetting???

 

[Shon]

I’m a big fan of the Vagabond!! The crew, boat and just the way they run their operation is very impressive. Fantastic food and for a long range boat fishing short range it has its advantages. These guys fish hard! There’s a reason they are booked a year in advance.
Good luck Steve, I know you’ll crush it!

 

[surfgoose]

I think that you are on track! I do 2.5-day runs by choice the past few years, longer trips just pound my old body too hard. The only addition that I would make is to bring whichever reel you are really comfortable with casting very light baits or lures with. For me, it is a capable saltwater spinning setup. When the bait is very small, and that is common in the spring, or when the fish are only eating very small lures like light Snipers, or when the fish are really spooky about the boat, then you need to get out there farther than is usually possible with a lever drag.

Hopefully your friend has a spinning setup. If not, and if you are driving down from Reno, stop by Long Beach and you can borrow one of mine.

 

[Rubberhook2]

Only boat I fish where the fish hold is in the bow...

 

[BluefinCurly]

Only boat I fish where the fish hold is in the bow...

Yep. But the slammer in the stern comes in handy !

 

[Deadlift500]

Steve,
I will be very interested in your trip, what you guys are catching and on what.
I will be on the Excel for a 3 day on the 19-22.
I hope the BF are in a playful mood.
I haven’t figured out what I’m bringing but with a lot less experience LR then you, I’ll probably bring 3 times the gear I need until I figure it out.

I will be on the Excel May 19-22 as well, and am also hoping for BFT! I’m probably just bringing my Penn Fierce spinning set up for any small stuff on the surface, my Penn Defiance 30 conventional spoked with 20lb flouro for bait for any finicky daytime fish, and will be using the boats loaner gear for any heavy stuff.

 

[big_niko_]

Steve,
I will be very interested in your trip, what you guys are catching and on what.
I will be on the Excel for a 3 day on the 19-22.
I hope the BF are in a playful mood.
I haven’t figured out what I’m bringing but with a lot less experience LR then you, I’ll probably bring 3 times the gear I need until I figure it out.

Look Forward to meeting you on this trip, Flying in from the east coast, Still putting together the rest of my gear for this trip.

 

[Tsmithson]

Look Forward to meeting you on this trip, Flying in from the east coast, Still putting together the rest of my gear for this trip.

Your on the 5-19-22 Excel 3 day.
EXCELENT!

 

[Tsmithson]

I will be on the Excel May 19-22 as well, and am also hoping for BFT! I’m probably just bringing my Penn Fierce spinning set up for any small stuff on the surface, my Penn Defiance 30 conventional spoked with 20lb flouro for bait for any finicky daytime fish, and will be using the boats loaner gear for any heavy stuff.

 

[Tsmithson]

Steve,
Do you know if we still need to make reservations for fish processing this early in the season?

 

[Steve K]

Steve,
Do you know if we still need to make reservations for fish processing this early in the season?

Absolutely, leave nothing to chance. It’s just starting but it was chaos last year. The volume of fish, the size and the number of boats will be pretty crazy. Since kickoff on Saturday with the Polaris Supreme, watch out…

 

[kayakbeast33]

On my 3-Day on Intrepid May 6 - 9 I'm bringing damn near everything I own!

• GP 80 Mega/Torque 25 nld2 for 30#
• US Terminator/Torque 30/2 for 40#
• GP Terminator/Mak 15T for 60# daytime jigs/stealthy sinker rig
• 7'6" UC Centaur/Mak 16 for heavy sinker rig
• 7'6" UC Viper/Mak 20 for nighttime jigs
• UC Zeus-3/Fathom 40 nld2 for speed jigging
• 8'0" OTI Tuna Sniper/Saragosa 25000 for Poppers

What am I forgetting???

Jigstick... never leave home with out one! 9e or 10e should do the trick!

 

[Steve K]

Looks like I’m going to be able to get away for a birthday trip, 2.5 day on the Vagabond May 13-16. Because I’m coming down from Reno for this trip, I’ll only be bringing 3 reels and borrowing rods from my friend, Joe. I’m thinking 25-30 for flylining, 50-60 for YoYo iron and maybe sinker rig, and then a big gun for 100-130, fish the knife jig bridled to a 9/0 Super Mutu.

Probably
FTHXN15LD2, FTH40NLD2 and Mak 16SEa.

Already decided to add a FTH30LD2 to this batch. Maybe borrow 4 rods, maybe just the three. Now, to tackle the rest of the preparations, small duffel for tackle and reels. See how that shapes up.

Question asked is: “What are the rod pairings?”

Pretty sure Joe has it covered, plenty of Calstars and a few Seekers. I’m thinking his Seeker 2X4 or a Calstar 770XXH, 7470XH. I’ll have to see.

 

[Steve K]

Looks like I’m going to be able to get away for a birthday trip, 2.5 day on the Vagabond May 13-16. Because I’m coming down from Reno for this trip, I’ll only be bringing 3 reels and borrowing rods from my friend, Joe. I’m thinking 25-30 for flylining, 50-60 for YoYo iron and maybe sinker rig, and then a big gun for 100-130, fish the knife jig bridled to a 9/0 Super Mutu.

Probably
FTHXN15LD2, FTH40NLD2 and Mak 16SEa.

Well, plans from six weeks ago sure changed. Now seeing more big Bluefin in the mix, I’ve kinda revised the list of reels. In fact those three are not on the list!

FTH30LD2 is backed with 60 lb hollow and topshots will be 40-50
BX2-600N is also backed with 60 lb and topshots will be 60-80
ATD12T is a Super and filled with 80 lb hollow, topshot 100#
ATD30T with the top 200’ marked every 50’ connected to another 300‘ also marked every 50’ and topped with a lengthy chunk of 150# Seaguar Premier.

I’m keeping my friend Joe down in San Diego busy, trying to match a loaner quiver for me to use. He’s also loaning me his buffed out HX Raptor with a generous topshot of 50# mono. I’ll use that for the 100-150 gram Sniper and Zakana jigs.

 

[woodfish330]

Steve.... I have no doubt that YOU could go on that trip with a few handlines....ie like the Hawaiians do... (throwing stone) and still kick butt...without rods and reels...lol. But...since your going...good luck brother.... may the fish GODS smile on your 2.5 day Brother.

 

[RichG]

Looks like I’m going to be able to get away for a birthday trip, 2.5 day on the Vagabond May 13-16. Because I’m coming down from Reno for this trip, I’ll only be bringing 3 reels and borrowing rods from my friend, Joe. I’m thinking 25-30 for flylining, 50-60 for YoYo iron and maybe sinker rig, and then a big gun for 100-130, fish the knife jig bridled to a 9/0 Super Mutu.

Probably
FTHXN15LD2, FTH40NLD2 and Mak 16SEa.

Happy BD. Have fun and I agree with what you are bringing.

 

[Kos]

Your revised setups look solid Steve. Hopefully you guys have a great trip. Please report when you get back. I'll be riding the Vag for my 1st time for a 3 day from the 19-22nd right after you get in, and scored another 3 day with them in August. Im looking forward to fishing on this boat. Sounds like Mike lackey runs a 1st class operation, ive heard nothing but good things.

 

[Scott McPherson]

Well, plans from six weeks ago sure changed. Now seeing more big Bluefin in the mix, I’ve kinda revised the list of reels. In fact those three are not on the list!

FTH30LD2 is backed with 60 lb hollow and topshots will be 40-50
BX2-600N is also backed with 60 lb and topshots will be 60-80
ATD12T is a Super and filled with 80 lb hollow, topshot 100#
ATD30T with the top 200’ marked every 50’ connected to another 300‘ also marked every 50’ and topped with a lengthy chunk of 150# Seaguar Premier.

I’m keeping my friend Joe down in San Diego busy, trying to match a loaner quiver for me to use. He’s also loaning me his buffed out HX Raptor with a generous topshot of 50# mono. I’ll use that for the 100-150 gram Sniper and Zakana jigs.

That sounds like a solid quiver Steve. I recommend having the jigs on at least a 200 lb bite leader. Let us know how you do.
Good luck
Scott

 

[hot tuna]

All my stuff was in a cart as I was waiting to board the Rooster for a 15 day. Andy came by and applauded, told all the guys to take a lesson on how much/little to bring. An old friend used to say, when we headed up to the lake:

Hey Steve,
Do you recall the quiver for June Heat?

I’m on it in a few weeks and trying not to bring the kitchen sink.
TY

 

[Yellowtail Dan]

I'm not sure how I would approach a trip right now. With the size of the fish showing up and the way they seem to change day to night it's tough to not listen to the whispers in your head "what if................" now I need to bring this to

Have fun, that's the most important part

 

[Sailing La Reina]

Happy birthday Steve. I hope you have an awesome trip. For your bridled jig set up, you may want to go with a shorter, fatter jig rather than a long knife. Many times while using a bridled medium length or longer jig I have been bit, but below the hook. Now if things are wide open and you only want to hook a monster that will inhale the whole thing, it may be a good strategy. Either way, I’m sure you will have a great time. Good luck!