Offshore They're here!!!

[plj46]

The problem for me, besides the fish just not being on this side of the ocean in early March, is you have to ask, what’s a more likely scenario?

1) unbelievably early arrival of albacore that also coincides with one the longest albacore droughts in known history

Or

2) someone catches Bonito outside the islands, they think it’s a “false albacore” which people regularly call “albies” on the east coast, word travels and like the telephone game the bonito turn into albacore rumors.


I think scenario 2 is vastly more likely. No pics to support the rumor, not even a name like “yeah I know this guy he’s legit he caught them.” Oh and notice the starter of this thread hasn’t come back?

There are pictures but......

 

[jer dog]

There are pictures but......

I hope that you middle aged guys remember how to hook A Chovie, in the Gil
Plate.

 

[Hustler]

Not even a name like “yeah I know this guy he’s legit he caught them.”

Hey, I know Robert - if he said he got into them, then you know it's a fact ...

 

[Fish Fever007]

I think it was a non-binary bluefin that identifies itself now as an albacore....

 

[Steve Francis]

Years ago I was invited on an exploratory trip with Gary Black on his Conquest. He'd heard a report from an ocean going tug, of Albacore a little over 100 miles from San Diego. We made the long run, about 12 of us, they were there. We caught 100 fish and hauled ass for the dock. Gary wanted people to see our fish and realize it wasn't BS. That started a very good Albacore season. Late May, not March - early 70s.

 

[Steve Francis]

I noticed the frayed fins on the Albacore in the photo. Some used to say, That meant they'd been traveling. BS - Albacore always travel. If you ever catch another one, hold him up on the gaff, look at his fins and tail, before putting him on deck, where he jumps around and frays his tail and fins.

 

[dalurker]

Dad told me "Frayed Fins" meant the fish was traveling in a huge school. when bundled tight, the fins would rub causing the fray.

and there was NO internet back then, so it was just "Dad's Comment"...
true? who knows... i just wanted to hook just one more...

 

[CaptJgray]

Its been several years since we've seen them within range but that doesn't mean that a school can't have followed in some bait and water. When I was running a Lightering Standby vessel below Cortez bank we would drag boat lines while standing by, not much unlike the Navy's target tow vessels. The best fishing we had was December and January by far. how many people or boats do you know that are willing to go out and explore in this weather with these fuel prices?
Keep in mind that the majority of the guys running boats for the Target tows, crew boats, supply boats, etc. are Sport Boat guys that decided to do something with a schedule, Benefits, and a better home life. That doesn't mean they stopped fishing...

Ive fished yellows alongside the guys at SCI on the RHIB's, There's plenty of guys in the Navy that know how to fish a surface iron...

 

[jiggermyster]

I hope that you middle aged guys remember how to hook A Chovie, in the Gil
Plate.

 

[CaptJgray]

I prefer a little lower down on the collar by the pecky fins, seems to make them swim down and out.
man I miss fishing chovies

 

[FourBases]

Chicken of the Seaaa… don’t forget Soy sauce and wasabi…

 

[Bend Session]

so you are saying there is a chance...

 

[irob2]

The problem for me, besides the fish just not being on this side of the ocean in early March, is you have to ask, what’s a more likely scenario?

1) unbelievably early arrival of albacore that also coincides with one the longest albacore droughts in known history

Or

2) someone catches Bonito outside the islands, they think it’s a “false albacore” which people regularly call “albies” on the east coast, word travels and like the telephone game the bonito turn into albacore rumors.


I think scenario 2 is vastly more likely. No pics to support the rumor, not even a name like “yeah I know this guy he’s legit he caught them.” Oh and notice the starter of this thread hasn’t come back?

You must not have seen my pics

 

[sickcat]

The problem for me, besides the fish just not being on this side of the ocean in early March, is you have to ask, what’s a more likely scenario?

1) unbelievably early arrival of albacore that also coincides with one the longest albacore droughts in known history

Or

2) someone catches Bonito outside the islands, they think it’s a “false albacore” which people regularly call “albies” on the east coast, word travels and like the telephone game the bonito turn into albacore rumors.


I think scenario 2 is vastly more likely. No pics to support the rumor, not even a name like “yeah I know this guy he’s legit he caught them.” Oh and notice the starter of this thread hasn’t come back?

I'm a little undecided about which is more likely....

#1 - I've heard one boat say they ran through some 49 degree water not far off the beach and the so cal buoys have been 53/54/55 for weeks so it could be a freak season here. There have been plenty of fish on the west coast.




#2 - I don't think that particular false ID can happen here. We don't let people from the east coast in here - they have to go to FL.

 

[wkk]

It'll be nice to break out the old calcutta 400s to flyline those baby chovies.

 

[Rabid Fish]

You must not have seen my pics

I did see your pic (no s)

I was talking to lowprofile and his rumors when I said "no pics," not you, but regarding your pic/report:

First of all, I hope it's not only true, but an early sign of an albacore season for the ages. I absolutely love those things.

But you can't blame someone for being skeptical. You provide next to no info, the photo could be taken anywhere, anytime, there's a baitfish in the photo which would be odd for someone stationed at SCI since it looks like a chovie or small dine, not the type of baitfish you would expect someone to have made themselves.

You fail to mention whether it was even you who caught the fish and/or took the pic.

I want to make it clear, I'm not calling you a liar, I am just a bit cynical after 13 years of neither hide nor hair of these fish and I don't know how many false alarm posts. Like I said before, albacore and "radio fish" are a tale as old as time..

Do you have any other pics maybe with a background, a modern reel, any other evidence of time and place? Can you provide more details about the catch?

 

[Cactus Chris]

I did see your pic (no s)

I was talking to lowprofile and his rumors when I said "no pics," not you, but regarding your pic/report:

First of all, I hope it's not only true, but an early sign of an albacore season for the ages. I absolutely love those things.

But you can't blame someone for being skeptical. You provide next to no info, the photo could be taken anywhere, anytime, there's a baitfish in the photo which would be odd for someone stationed at SCI since it looks like a chovie or small dine, not the type of baitfish you would expect someone to have made themselves.

You fail to mention whether it was even you who caught the fish and/or took the pic.

I want to make it clear, I'm not calling you a liar, I am just a bit cynical after 13 years of neither hide nor hair of these fish and I don't know how many false alarm posts. Like I said before, albacore and "radio fish" are a tale as old as time..

Do you have any other pics maybe with a background, a modern reel, any other evidence of time and place? Can you provide more details about the catch?

I'm hopeful and skeptical too for the same reasons. The baitfish though certainly could have been regurgitated when the fish were caught. I've seen it happen plenty

 

[Bill W]

Navy Hotels for TDY and Leisure Lodging -- Navy Gateway Inns & Suites

Chocolate mint on the pillow.

 

[Bill W]

Dad told me "Frayed Fins" meant the fish was traveling in a huge school. when bundled tight, the fins would rub causing the fray.

and there was NO internet back then, so it was just "Dad's Comment"...
true? who knows... i just wanted to hook just one more...

View attachment 1466487

Yep… traveling fish. When they settle in the tails are clean. So fun to hear hookup and the dash to the bait tank and cast where you think they will be, not where the boil is.

 

[HUTLOC]

Doc had to fish this half ball join from behind my scapula and tie it back in. Go longfin!

 

[Native Dancer]

Doc had to fish this half ball join from behind my scapula and tie it back in. Go longfin!

View attachment 1467556

View attachment 1467557

nobody wants to see that! what does it have to do with this post?!?

 

[plj46]

I did see your pic (no s)

I was talking to lowprofile and his rumors when I said "no pics," not you, but regarding your pic/report:

First of all, I hope it's not only true, but an early sign of an albacore season for the ages. I absolutely love those things.

But you can't blame someone for being skeptical. You provide next to no info, the photo could be taken anywhere, anytime, there's a baitfish in the photo which would be odd for someone stationed at SCI since it looks like a chovie or small dine, not the type of baitfish you would expect someone to have made themselves.

You fail to mention whether it was even you who caught the fish and/or took the pic.

I want to make it clear, I'm not calling you a liar, I am just a bit cynical after 13 years of neither hide nor hair of these fish and I don't know how many false alarm posts. Like I said before, albacore and "radio fish" are a tale as old as time..

Do you have any other pics maybe with a background, a modern reel, any other evidence of time and place? Can you provide more details about the catch?

Very well said !

 

[Frumpy760]

Ahhh salty crab pizza thanks for bringing back memories lowprofile lol. (Looks like I joined the party late)
Last time I fished from the pier was in 2021 in August and can attest to amazing whitefish and sheephead fishing. Some of the biggest whitefish I’ve caught with some calicos mixed in and those annoying little wrasse.
Make sure you bring frozen solid squid that hasn’t been thawing out before jumping on that little puddle skiper.
One can go…
With the condition of you being there as a contractor doing work, Dod employee, or training to defend the constitution.
If you’ve fished the pier at SCI you may know Martín one of the lead maintenance workers for gateway on the island. The man makes a great white fish cevicé .

 

[lowprofile]

Ahhh salty crab pizza thanks for bringing back memories lowprofile lol. (Looks like I joined the party late)
Last time I fished from the pier was in 2021 in August and can attest to amazing whitefish and sheephead fishing. Some of the biggest whitefish I’ve caught with some calicos mixed in and those annoying little wrasse.
Make sure you bring frozen solid squid that hasn’t been thawing out before jumping on that little puddle skiper.
One can go…
With the condition of you being there as a contractor doing work, Dod employee, or training to defend the constitution.
If you’ve fished the pier at SCI you may know Martín one of the lead maintenance workers for gateway on the island. The man makes a great white fish cevicé .

Last time I went over we threw kayaks on top of Humvees with tarps and drove them onto the LCACs, yetis full of bait and everything from jigging to surf rods. We had to stop half way over because a tarp and kayak almost blew off one of the roofs and the crew was pissed .

One morning there were bluefin boilers right up against the south Point but it was about 500 yards of sheer cliff and cholla to get down to them so nobody got to score a land based bluefin. I’m sure if you sat on the pier long enough it could be done

 

[mahi]

This post is 29 days early.