Islander 2 day trip 5/30/0/-6/1/08

[Ricky-Ray]

Left the office about 2pm on Friday and headed down to Torrance and picked up Earl “The Pearl” McVicar. By the time we got the car loaded and on the road it was a little after 3:30pm and we both carpooled down the Fisherman’s Landing for a 2 day trip on board the Islander. We didn’t arrive at the landing till a little after 6:30pm and there were already a few people lined up waiting to go. We made our introductions, also along on our trip was Big Gabe and wife Betty (littlered). Just a little after 7pm we got the go ahead to start boarding. Being this is my first time on this boat let me tell you, for being an 88' x 24' boat it’s got a lot of room. Sleeps 30 comfortably, holds 250 scoops of bait, air conditioned staterooms, very comfortable galley, all day soda bar and coffee and ice maker. This is one boat that I will definitely love to come back and fish on.

Once we got everyone checked in and all the paperwork squared away we left the dock and headed for the bait receiver to take on some nicely cured sardines and anchovies. Crew consisted of Captain Jason, Deckhands Matt, Greg, John Joseph, Paul and Cooks Chris and Rick. During the time Captain Jason gave us the rundown of the game plan. The Albacore and BFT were about 180-240 miles out, well out of our range so that was out of the question. We would head down the line about 60-70miles and in the morning get the jigs in the water and start trolling and looking for kelp paddy yellowtails. If that didn’t pan out then day two we would head back up the line and fish closer inshore and see if we can get on some rockfish, ling cod’s and bass.

Day 1: Woke up and weather was not the best. Wind’s blowing; heavy swells now and then, lot’s of whitecaps. I got to give credit to the crew, they spent the entire day looking for kelp paddy’s all day in those conditions and they found them but unfortunately either nobody would be home or if they were there they did not want to eat or at least eat what we were throwing them. Pretty much the entire day was trolled around, came upon a paddy and nothing and continued looking. Ended the day about 120 miles south and had 1 yellowtail and a handful of bonito. Sat down to a nice dinner of marinated tri tip, for those that could eat had a great dinner, and for some just skipped it entirely. The ride back up the line was a real rollercoaster ride for sure. A few times I was sliding back and forth in the bunk and I’m pretty sure there were at least a few times I caught air and came back crashing on my bed. Luckily come morning no real injuries.

Day 2: Wow what a day a difference makes on the water. Still just a bit of wind but not that big of a deal, sun came out, swells were little and if there were some big ones it was infrequent. We started fishing close to shore for rockfish and lings. Most of the mornings we would pull up on a spot and Jason would meter fish but they were lock jawed and would not want to bite, and it would continue like that throughout the morning and early afternoon. Things started to pick up after we made a big move and after lunch. Jason put us on a couple of spots where we got to drift over them several times before we hand to move somewhere else that produced some nice reds, groupers, sculpins, and other misc bottom fish. One spot I’m calling Lingcod city, as soon as you hit bottom it was instant bendo and for some it was double hookup’s of lings. Lots of short lings but there were some beauties coming up too.

We finally called it a day a little before 6pm and we finally made it back by about 8”30pm. Conditions were rough and really tested everyone but everyone stuck it thru and all in all everyone had a good time.

Meals by far were great, they kept us fed all day long and was excellent eating. Lunches were cheeseburgers with pasta salad, and penne pasta with meat sauce with garlic bread. Dinner was teriyaki marinated tri tip with veggies and rice with fresh baked bread. I didn’t catch what breakfast was, I skipped breakfast both times. In between meals we had coconut walnut muffins (delicious), egg rolls, coffee crumb cake and potstickers.

I would like to thank the crew of the Islander. It was a rough trip but they worked their tails off on trying to get us on the fish.


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[chris]

nice pictures looked like a great trip

[pineapple express]

wtg..ray looks like alot of fun was had by all....
i heard the islander is a first class operation from
some of my buddies that have fished with them b4.
big mahaloz fo sharing bruddah... i still gonna hit you
up soon on some avet info.
peace
PE

[Fisherman57]

Excellent report and a great set of photos!

Sounds like the second day was alot better than the first...... "cathing air" while laying in your bunk bed is usually a sign of a tough day... LOL!

Kudo's to the crew on a job well done.... and that teriyaki marinated tri tip with veggies, rice and fresh baked bread sounds like it woulda hit the spot! :LOL:

Thanks for sharing!


57

[JapanRon]

Hi Ricky-Ray,

Finally have time to reply. Read twice .... as the report was nice !! Appreciate your style usually focusing on detail and play-action.

Await your next adventure,

JapanRon

[steve092]

Good job out there guys!

[sansou]

Congrats on your YT and assorted rockfish. At any moment things are going to bust loose and the quality fish will head north.....then it'll really feel like summertime!

[Funjunkie74]

Great report Ricky!! Too bad you didn't get into GIANT FISHYS as I know you like to go for!
I think maybe you need to partake in the NBU ritual as performed by Bob...you know which one I'm talking about...LOL!!




At any moment things are going to bust loose and the quality fish will head north.....then it'll really feel like summertime!

AND WE'LL BE WAITING FOR THEM!!!


FJ74

[migfrias]

Ricky,

Nice report! Its a crap shoot during this time of year. Its at least nice to get out. A two day trip to either clemente or catalina would of been nice though.

I fished that boat in the late 80's and early 90's. Its an old Rooster boat, if I remember correctly. When I fished it, it was owned and operated by Greg Thrompas (Dr. Bluefin, Blue-fin Miestro or something like that) The man knew Isla Guadalupe like the back of his hand. That boat has seen some epic big blue-fin bites at that island.

Miguel

[FISHINGBEE]

The Islander is a great boat to fish. Great job! State rooms and great service. What was the price for two day Islander?


FISHINGBEE

[Ricky-Ray]

FishingBee - It was a 976-tuna trip so the cost was $350, meals and permits were extra. It was an extra $90 bucks for fuel surcharge, permits, and all meals.

One of the nice thing's about this boat is that when you check in they have a portable credit card machine that you can use to pay for the fuel surcharge, meals and permits instead of using cash. Nice option so you can keep your cash handy.

[FISHINGBEE]

FishingBee - It was a 976-tuna trip so the cost was $350, meals and permits were extra. It was an extra $90 bucks for fuel surcharge, permits, and all meals.

One of the nice thing's about this boat is that when you check in they have a portable credit card machine that you can use to pay for the fuel surcharge, meals and permits instead of using cash. Nice option so you can keep your cash handy. That is a big fee for no tuna fishing. Thanks for the reply.


FISHINGBEE

[Ricky-Ray]

I go out to relax and enjoy myself, meet new people and to hang out with friends. If I catch fish, it's an added bonus to a great time.

[DavidE]

I go out to relax and enjoy myself, meet new people and to hang out with friends. If I catch fish, it's an added bonus to a great time.

That my friends is the right attitude.

But feeling the line rip ain't too bad either.

Tight lines and good luck to everyone heading out this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

[FISHINGBEE]

[QUOTE=Ricky-Ray;202223]I go out to relax and enjoy myself, meet new people and to hang out with friends. If I catch fish, it's an added bonus to a great time.[/QUOTE sorry if that came out wrong. If i had the money no doubt would i be out there doing the samething you are. Congrates on the trip and there is plenty of fish tacos cannot beat the rockfish and lingcod great eats.



Later Fishingbee