Real Disappointment on Condor - Fisherman's Landing

[bonzo]

Went out on the Condor from Fisherman's Landing in San Diego 9/3-9/4. Granted this was my first time out on an overnight, but it was a huge disappointment! They mixed together all the partially full boats into one boat jammed with 37 anglers. The huge disappointment is not so much that the entire boat pulled in only 1 yellow fin, 2 small dorado, and 22 so-called albacore (of which half were really skipjack), but rather the tiny amount of time that we actually had a hook in the water.

Okay, okay, I know that the fish feed on the surface and in packs, but we would sail around for one to two hours at a time, get a hit on a trolling line, and then frantically throw our bait in for literally 1 to 3 minutes before the captain would call out, "Okay guys, let's bring 'em up and find some more fish." That was the procedure of the day. We did stop at one kelp paddy that happened to show up, and did chase some porpoises that we chanced upon.

But with so little happening, it would have been nice to at least have the hook in the water for a while longer, maybe actually for 5 to 10 minutes, just to see if something else would come up. It's not just sour grapes that I didn't get a fish (okay, tell me for the thousandth time that "They call it fishing, not catching"): it would have been nice to actually do some fishing!

I realize that the captain is looking for everything on sonar, but obviously, if we're getting the occasional troller hit, then there are fish out there that he's not seeing, right?

I figure out of the entire 24 hour trip, I had a baited hook in the water no more than thirty minutes total. Is this normal?

[Liteliner]

Thats tuna fishing for ya. Hit or miss. Its not the boats fault. If they trolled all day then they tried their best. The trolling does suck and is boring but its worth it. Sooner or later it will payoff. Tuna never stay still so you have to find them. Id rather be on a boat that is trolling all day than a boat drifting all day. Your next tuna trip will be nothing but trolling aswell. Once that magical school comes up after a troll fish you will understand. Sorry bout the lack of fishing though.

[Greg Madrigal]

Hey Bonzo. Sorry about the sour trip. I totally get you that it woulda been nice to wet a line a bit more. However, this is how tuna fishing is done. It is by far the most productive method. The San Diego fleet has this dialed in! If the fish don't come up in the first minute, they usually won't come up. Though I seem to recall that we would stop for about 3-5 minutes at each jig stop. If nothing happened, you went looking again.

Now, had you guys located a school that DID wanna bite on bait, we wouldn't even be having this discussion! You'd be stoked that u got em, cuz the capn' had the wherewitall to look around till u found em. Unfortunately 4u, that didn't happen. Sucks bro, and I am sorry for you.

Just keep at it. It's time on the water that counts. You gave it your best, now, just do it again! :)

GM<<><

[ghetto dad]

Thats tuna fishing for ya. Hit or miss. Its not the boats fault. If they trolled all day then they tried their best. The trolling does suck and is boring but its worth it. Sooner or later it will payoff. Tuna never stay still so you have to find them. Id rather be on a boat that is trolling all day than a boat drifting all day. Your next tuna trip will be nothing but trolling aswell. Once that magical school comes up after a troll fish you will understand. Sorry bout the lack of fishing though.

Yeah man.....trust me, with the cost of fuel, the LAST thing they want to do is troll around all day.....i have been on MANY trips where its been like that.....thats one downside about tuna fishing, especially when its slow....unless youre trolling, you dont get much fishing time......

GD

[deanhall32]

Yep- That is the way it goes sometimes. My buddy was on the boat the day before you went and there were only 18 guys who caught over 100 yellowfin and albacore. He said they found one huge kelp paddy that kept them busy all day. Go figure!! You will hit it good next time for sure!!!

[Ricky-Ray]

Yep that's how tuna/albacore fishing is done. If the fish don't come up within a few minutes they aren't coming up at all and there's no use sitting on them just hoping that they will. I've been on tuna trips where we troll all day and got nada. It sucks and makes for a LONG day, but it's not the boat or captain's fault if the fish do not want to bite.

[JapanRon]

Hi Bonzo,

It might have seemed they were just monkeying around but I'm sure they were trying to get the fish before bedtime. I like my hook time so I pass on the tuna trips. 9 hours of bordom and 20 minutes of glory, and combat rail-running ain't my cup of tea and may not be yours after a couple of trips. Better luck on future trips.

JapanRon

[mybada]

That is pretty much normal when it's one of those "slow days"

I've been in Condor for more than 20+ times and I can tell you it is one of the hardest working fleet in San Diego. Great boat, great crews, I've always had good time with them except only a couple of times on slow days. But hey it's fishing, it could happen to anyone.

The reason captain takes off so quickly after jig strike is because there are no fishes under the boat anymore. There's very less chance to hook up when there's no fish shows up on the meter so he moves to found a better spot.

One day I had very slow start day until the very last stop we found a huge school of YFT and we stayed that spot for more than a hour and we caught 150+ YFTs.
It's fishing! You never know what will happen.

Sorry to hear you had a bad time bro. May be better luck next time.

[BIGRED KILLA]

I would bring lots of rope and chain and anchor.



Sorry about the low numbers of fish better luck next time.




Bigred Killa

[Funjunkie74]

If K3vin wasn't on the water right now, he'd tell you about our 2.5-day trip last year!

2.5-days
30 anglers
5 fish = 2 YTs, 2 Albies, 1 Dodo.

I landed the albie, k3v landed the YT.
Both of them were the size of Shaq's sneakers!!
They may seem big for feet, but tiny fish!!!

Sad part is, we saw the report for the same boat 2-days later....limits....
It's times like these I'm reminded of the purpose of alcohol!!

"Run and Gun" - that's tuna fishing!
If you wanna soak, go to an island...Catalina, Clemente, Coronado, Santa Barbara....etc.


Still, too bad on the bad fishing. It sux no matter what.



FJ74

[kgselect]

That's how it is when you chase pelagics. It could be feast or famine. With today’s sophisticated sonar, skippers have a pretty good idea of whether the fish are around or not, and, whether they are willing to come up and bite. Also, they are trying just as hard as the customers to put fish on the boat. That's their livelihood. Just keep at it and don't give up. You'll have your day.

[dixoncider]

I guess now you know why people are so stoked on a good trip. At least you got a stop.

[flopps1]

Guess, I'll add to it! A great trip and getting a wide open bite is never guarenteed! Sounds to me like the captain put in some work. Pretty much what you would want a boat to do.

Really, you experienced what we call "run and gun" fishing. Find some fish...see if they come up and bite. If not, move on and hope that you find some fish that are willing.

Unfortunitely, your 1st overnighter didn't live up to your expectations. Again, nothing's guranteed. You can only do your research and hope that everything works out. But your never gonna experience that great trip unless you are out on the water.

Honestly, don't blame the boat. From what you are saying, it sounds like to me they really gave it a good effort. Plus, it could of been an evening bite and doing just an overnighter wouldn't of given you enough time. Don't let this trip discourage you. A trip like that for me just makes me want to get out there asap. But then again, after a good trip, i wanna get out again.



Give it another shot....you next trip may just be the one.

[Ambassadorhawg]

Sorry to hear that you missed the fish on that trip. Please understand that the captain knew exactly what was under and around the boat at all times. Often, a few odd troll fish will stop the boat. No need to stay and fish empty water if nothing shows on the electronics. The fact that the boat moved so much and did not spend much time on the stops it did have actually says alot for the captain. It says that he did not want to waste time on little or nothing. He wanted to find a good concentration of fish to sink the boat with. The bite has been scratchy lately. It will get better again before it's over.

Modern electronics are amazing. It's almost cheating. Side scanners can see schools of fish from 100's of yards away and so the chances of getting hooked up are better than ever now.

Watch the counts closely...and when you see higher counts on most boats, GO! These better bites usually last around 3 days straight. Also consider that 1/2, 3/4 have gotten deep into the action this season. This is one of the best tuna seasons in recent memory, so try again...

[bonzo]

Guys,
Can't thank you all enough for all the respectful and helpful replies to this naive newbie! Guess I'll have to give it another shot and bring the hip flask this time!


Yep- That is the way it goes sometimes. My buddy was on the boat the day before you went and there were only 18 guys who caught over 100 yellowfin and albacore. He said they found one huge kelp paddy that kept them busy all day. Go figure!! You will hit it good next time for sure!!!

I guess that was what was really disappointing - I had gotten there early and stood on the dock watching sack after sack of monster YFT being carried off my boat. Next time I'll just expect nothing and maybe be pleasantly surprised!

[Steve M]

What you are saying is that you would much rather knowingly soak a bait with virtually no chance of getting bit, simply because it feels like you're doing something. I run my own boat, trust me when I say that regardless of whether a bait is in the water, I'm always doing something. It's called hunting. I've had days where I've run 40 miles one way zig zagging in and out looking for threshers, then found the right area. Set the boat to slow troll and was bit before I could get the second bait out. Less than 5 minutes with a bait in the water, one fish and that's success in thresher fishing. The rest of the time, it was hunting. Unfortunately, on a party boat you are reduced to only part of the experience: dropping a bait over.

[Greg Madrigal]

Guys,
Can't thank you all enough for all the respectful and helpful replies to this naive newbie! Guess I'll have to give it another shot and bring the hip flask this time!



I guess that was what was really disappointing - I had gotten there early and stood on the dock watching sack after sack of monster YFT being carried off my boat. Next time I'll just expect nothing and maybe be pleasantly surprised!


Great advice! (The hip flask, I meanLOL!) Seriously tho, just expect to be out on the water "putting in time" If ur lucky, youll hit em, if not, you r 1 step closer to hitten em!

GM<<><

[one_leg]

Ha Ha, at least you didn't have to listen to some blabber mouth talk throughout the whole trip!


Or did you?


I wish you better luck next time.



O_L

[snowboarder]

Ha Ha, at least you didn't have to listen to some blabber mouth talk throughout the whole trip!


Or did you?


I wish you better luck next time.



O_L


Isn't that the norm? There's always a blabber mouth on those cattleboat trips.

[Trout-Tuna-For.Me]

Bonzo,
Dude, like many others have said, it's time on the water that will eventually get you into fish.
The advise I give to newbie friends who want to get into tuna fishing is to first try an overnite trip for the experience of learning how to do it. Also plan the trip date during a very good fish count time where the average tuna take per person is 2 or more. This gives more assurance of catching something.
Then, if the person likes tuna fishing and wants more, go for a 1.5 or 2 day trip which will allow more time to have a line in the water and to fish from sun up to sundown. Last years big tuna bite was late in the afternoon so those trips did very well.
Best to Bookmark all the San Diego landings sites and see how the counts are before you book another trip. Most 2 day trips now are doing pretty good.
Another way I end up with tuna to take home is while waiting on the troll, I have my jig stick with a swimbait to toss right when the HOOKUP is yelled. The sooner you have a bait in the water after the troll hookup is crucial as the fish will either come up to eat or not. Many times there are more than just one troll lure hookup so there are maybe a few other fish wanting to eat, that's where having a bait in the water ASAP is crucial. Of course the captain says not to throw your line out with bait until the boat is almost stopped, but to push the limit some doesn't hurt and it's the total number of fish caught for the trip is what everyone is looking for, especially the capt.
I've been tuna fishing for over 30 years now and have learned a few secrets of how to get tuna on board ;)
Best of luck in your future tuna trips and some day you'll maybe run into a school of fish that will not quit biting and end up wanting to eat anything thrown overboard, even a bare shiny hook :D

[bonzo]

Bonzo,
Dude, like many others have said, it's time on the water that will eventually get you into fish.
The advise I give to newbie friends who want to get into tuna fishing is to first try an overnite trip for the experience of learning how to do it. Also plan the trip date during a very good fish count time where the average tuna take per person is 2 or more. This gives more assurance of catching something.
Then, if the person likes tuna fishing and wants more, go for a 1.5 or 2 day trip which will allow more time to have a line in the water and to fish from sun up to sundown. Last years big tuna bite was late in the afternoon so those trips did very well.
Best to Bookmark all the San Diego landings sites and see how the counts are before you book another trip. Most 2 day trips now are doing pretty good.
Another way I end up with tuna to take home is while waiting on the troll, I have my jig stick with a swimbait to toss right when the HOOKUP is yelled. The sooner you have a bait in the water after the troll hookup is crucial as the fish will either come up to eat or not. Many times there are more than just one troll lure hookup so there are maybe a few other fish wanting to eat, that's where having a bait in the water ASAP is crucial. Of course the captain says not to throw your line out with bait until the boat is almost stopped, but to push the limit some doesn't hurt and it's the total number of fish caught for the trip is what everyone is looking for, especially the capt.
I've been tuna fishing for over 30 years now and have learned a few secrets of how to get tuna on board ;)
Best of luck in your future tuna trips and some day you'll maybe run into a school of fish that will not quit biting and end up wanting to eat anything thrown overboard, even a bare shiny hook :D

Hey Trout-Tuna-For.Me,

Thanks for the advice!
What kind of jig do you recommend for a beginner?

Duuuude! Today's report shows the boat limiting out, with 26 guys hitting 109 YFT, 19 bluefin, etc. Congrats to Cap'n Scott and the crew. Looks like I was right between the big strikes. Gotta find a way to get back to SD soon!

[Liteliner]

Hey Trout-Tuna-For.Me,

Thanks for the advice!
What kind of jig do you recommend for a beginner?

Duuuude! Today's report shows the boat limiting out, with 26 guys hitting 109 YFT, 19 bluefin, etc. Congrats to Cap'n Scott and the crew. Looks like I was right between the big strikes. Gotta find a way to get back to SD soon!

I hope your not married cause you are officially an addict........ Get ready to spend thousands of dollars......

Channel Island Chovie Big Hammers are always a good choice for a jig on the slide....

[Trout-Tuna-For.Me]

Most of the time I use the plastic swimbaits, usually in the blue/white, green/white, purple/dark grey, or blue/green. I pick the colors by using the light conditions and bait imitation, just like the color of the trolling lures.
Albacore like the darker colors early in the morning or overcast conditions (black/purple and brown/white), and the other colors in the sunlight. Many will agree with me in the choice of colors, but in the 30+ years of tuna fishing I've just about always caught my share of albacore, yellowfin, bluefin, and bigeye. Yellowfin, bluefin, and bigeye seem to go for the lighter and brighter colored lures/jigs.
Hope this helps you.

[Trout-Tuna-For.Me]

I hope your not married cause you are officially an addict........ Get ready to spend thousands of dollars......

I may be addicted, but I may have $1500. worth of gear. I always take 4 or 5 rods/reels, a smallish tackle box, and a day pack on every tuna trip. From a troll rod/reel to a light bait stick and 2 or 3 inbetween. Most importantly, I always have my 8' jig stick to throw swimbaits, jigs, or even bait. Bait fishing over the top of others means less tangles. All my reels are Newell, and the rods are either Sabre or Fenwick. Not the most expensive but work just as well.

[flopps1]

Hey Trout-Tuna-For.Me,

Thanks for the advice!
What kind of jig do you recommend for a beginner?

Duuuude! Today's report shows the boat limiting out, with 26 guys hitting 109 YFT, 19 bluefin, etc. Congrats to Cap'n Scott and the crew. Looks like I was right between the big strikes. Gotta find a way to get back to SD soon!


That's fishing right now. One day it sucks and the other it's WFO. The fact that your checking counts is a good start. It'll happen for you!!!! Just getting out there is the real question.

Just make sure you post that good trip when it happens. Trout-tuna is right on about having the plastic ready to fish the slide. I prefer plastics myself but guys will also throw out a Krocodile lure as well. You just might want to check with the boat if they're okay with "fishing the slide". Most are cool about it but some would prefer you don't. Fluro leaders in 20# to 25# have been working this season. Also, try and get your bait in the water asap if you guys get a troll strike. FIrst baits in the water will usually get hit and gives you the edge from tangles.

[lizzay]

Guys,
Can't thank you all enough for all the respectful and helpful replies to this naive newbie! Guess I'll have to give it another shot and bring the hip flask this time!



I guess that was what was really disappointing - I had gotten there early and stood on the dock watching sack after sack of monster YFT being carried off my boat. Next time I'll just expect nothing and maybe be pleasantly surprised!



I'm going back on there tonight if you can join us.

[sansou]

Re fishing the slide: I know for a fact the crew & capt of the Condor readily encourage fishing the slide!! On the troll they fish two shorts on the outside, and two long on the inside, which means that upon troll-hookup you want to immediately pitch your plastic on either the extreme port or starboard, but not down the middle.

It's a pretty good boat. Be sure to reserve a stateroom (there are only 2) if you can (topside quick access).

Good luck out there!

[lizzay]

Re fishing the slide: I know for a fact the crew & capt of the Condor readily encourage fishing the slide!! On the troll they fish two shorts on the outside, and two long on the inside, which means that upon troll-hookup you want to immediately pitch your plastic on either the extreme port or starboard, but not down the middle.

It's a pretty good boat. Be sure to reserve a stateroom (there are only 2) if you can (topside quick access).

Good luck out there!


Sansou, you just made my trip a whole lot better by mentioning the stateroom. I thank you very much. Put it this way, I'm the guy who books his own hotel room because of the overcrowded rooms with friends. I love sleep especially when it's dark and away from people. There was one left and it has my name on it!