Just returned from the 2.5 day PENN Fishing University trip aboard the Pacifica, with Captain Andrew Viola at the helm.
Spent both fishing days on, and in the vicinity of, the Tanner Bank.
First day's weather was a bit sporty, and bluefin were being bluefin. Plenty of them around the boat, but we worked hard to get 4 four big ones on the kite, and then "sundowner" flurry on the jigs, where we hooked six and landed four. Sizes ranged from 120-195 pounds.
Successful jigs were a mixture of older flatfall designs to knife-type jigs. Best weights were 250-300 gr, including the Williamson Kensaki in 280gr. in pink/silver/zebra glow.
Jig colors were across the board, but all seemed to have at least some "glow".
Day two saw the weather flatten out substantially, and the smaller fish showed in decent numbers.
Anchored up in the morning, a moderate bite on good quality 20-28 pound yellowtail was mostly on flylined sardines, but there was one yo-yo fish, and a number of yellows were broken off due to the rocky structure.
Mid-day had the school-grade 20-35 pound bluefin wanting to bite for awhile, but it was strictly a "finesse" situation, 25 pound line [or less] and a #2 hook with flylined sardines. I did not see any of the schoolie bluefin caught on jigs. There was also one more 120-pounder on the kite on day two.
Our second evening's try at bigger bluefin on jigs at sundown was not successful.
As always, the crew of Pacifica were exemplary: Andrew, Sandro, Brandon, Jacob, and Evan, with Nick in the galley.
Will post some photos later, and hopefully others who were aboard will post their experiences and photos.
Spent both fishing days on, and in the vicinity of, the Tanner Bank.
First day's weather was a bit sporty, and bluefin were being bluefin. Plenty of them around the boat, but we worked hard to get 4 four big ones on the kite, and then "sundowner" flurry on the jigs, where we hooked six and landed four. Sizes ranged from 120-195 pounds.
Successful jigs were a mixture of older flatfall designs to knife-type jigs. Best weights were 250-300 gr, including the Williamson Kensaki in 280gr. in pink/silver/zebra glow.
Jig colors were across the board, but all seemed to have at least some "glow".
Day two saw the weather flatten out substantially, and the smaller fish showed in decent numbers.
Anchored up in the morning, a moderate bite on good quality 20-28 pound yellowtail was mostly on flylined sardines, but there was one yo-yo fish, and a number of yellows were broken off due to the rocky structure.
Mid-day had the school-grade 20-35 pound bluefin wanting to bite for awhile, but it was strictly a "finesse" situation, 25 pound line [or less] and a #2 hook with flylined sardines. I did not see any of the schoolie bluefin caught on jigs. There was also one more 120-pounder on the kite on day two.
Our second evening's try at bigger bluefin on jigs at sundown was not successful.
As always, the crew of Pacifica were exemplary: Andrew, Sandro, Brandon, Jacob, and Evan, with Nick in the galley.
Will post some photos later, and hopefully others who were aboard will post their experiences and photos.
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