kgselect
07-12-2010, 05:44 PM
I was looking forward to the 2-day charter on the Apollo fishing July 9/10. In recent years, by July 4th, the albacore have started to appear. And, again, this year, over the July 4th weekend, the 1-1/2 and 2-day boats were into a nice spot of fish around the 90-100 mile mark with some boats getting limits.
Unfortunately, after the July 4th weekend bite, the tuna scattered and the fleet was having a difficult time finding a consistent bite. No problem, at least we had 2 days to fish and could run beyond the 100 mile mark if necessary.
Day 1 started around 90 miles from SD. The weather was very good, cloudy and cold (low, low 60’s), with 2-3 foot swells and 5-10 mile wind. About as good as you could expect in the outer water. Troll rods were out at 5:30am.
We trolled and trolled and trolled westerly for about 3-1/2 hours without a single bite and nothing on sonar. Finally, captain JJ announced that we would move west about 40 miles. At least other boats in that area were getting stops.
So, we fast trolled for about 3 more hours into an area where the water looked a bit more blue. Finally, at about 11:30am we got our first jig strike. 1 jig fish & 2 bait fish. Alright, everyone was now primed for the start of a solid bite.
Set out the trollers and . . . . troll and troll and troll. Another 1-1/2 hours passed when finally, we get another jig strike. 1 jig fish and 3 bait fish. This seemed to go one for most of the afternoon. Scattered bites hours apart, 1-2 jig fish, 2-3 bait fish. By 2:30pm we had 13 fish. On my second troll rotation, we had a triple jig strike, unfortunately not on mine. I got my bait rod and threw in and got picked up immediately. Let the fish run for a 5 count, then set and nothing. Wind in and the line was cut clean. Grabbed another set-up with 25lb, cast out and let the sardine free swim and swim, then, pick up, run, engage, set and fish on. Fought him for about 10 min. then head gaff. Sweet. I’m finally on the board.
This was our best stop, 12 fish total. Everyone was now really geared for a strong late afternoon wide open bite. So, troll, troll, troll . . . . and, same thing. Scattered bites, 3-4 fish at a stop maybe 1 hours apart. It was a grind. We had one other stop of about 9 fish at around 6:00pm. But, the late afternoon bite never really developed. So, we were grinding all day long from 5:30AM to 8:00PM. The final total for the day was 48 albacore. I managed to catch 2 more in the late afternoon; 1 jig fish and another on bait. So, I was satisfied. I had 3 fish. Most of the fish were from 20 to 25 lbs. The largest fish was about 30 lbs.
Day 2 again started early around 5:30am. The Apollo had run back in to the 90 mile mark for the rest of the trip. We could only hope that some of the fish moved closer to the mainland. Well, day 2 was much slower than day 1. So, again, we trolled and trolled and trolled. Finally, at around 9:30pm the captain sees a kelp, circles the mark & throws bait. I work my sardine off the port side toward the stern. The angler beside me gets picked up. Then, I get picked up. Run, run, engage, load and set and fish on.
From there, we stopped on 3-4 kelp patties. Most were vacant, but, one kelp produced a beautiful 28lb bluefin. The last kelp resulted in 2 yellowtail. I was lucky to land 1 of those 2 yellows. Final count, 51 albacore, 1 bluefin and 2 yellowtail.
No doubt, this trip was a grind. Since the fish were scattered and bites scarce, you had to be ready and on the rail for every stop. In any case, unless you were in the water, you had no chance at fish. So, you had to make every opportunity count.
The good news. We did pick up fish closer in on the 2nd day. Also, the kelps in that area were nice sized. Most were vacant, but, two held fish. So, there is hope that this area will develop or maybe the fish will move in a bit closer in the coming weeks.
Can’t say enough about the Apollo and its crew. Top notch all the way, from captain JJ to all the deckhands and Nick the cook. One of the best boats I have ever been on.
Lots of this. Trolling.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0751Small.jpg
And, trolling.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0771Smll.jpg
And, trolling.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_07552Small.jpg
1 of my 4 albies.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_07642Small.jpg
Beautiful 28lb bluefin.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0769Small.jpg
Bonus yellowtail.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0774Smll.jpg
And, the filet.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0776Smll.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0780Smll.jpg
The payoff. Fresh maguro, sashimi. Yummm.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0783Smll.jpg
Sorry for the limited pix. Too busy fishing. Phew, it was a alot of work, but, well worth it. Thanks for reading.
Unfortunately, after the July 4th weekend bite, the tuna scattered and the fleet was having a difficult time finding a consistent bite. No problem, at least we had 2 days to fish and could run beyond the 100 mile mark if necessary.
Day 1 started around 90 miles from SD. The weather was very good, cloudy and cold (low, low 60’s), with 2-3 foot swells and 5-10 mile wind. About as good as you could expect in the outer water. Troll rods were out at 5:30am.
We trolled and trolled and trolled westerly for about 3-1/2 hours without a single bite and nothing on sonar. Finally, captain JJ announced that we would move west about 40 miles. At least other boats in that area were getting stops.
So, we fast trolled for about 3 more hours into an area where the water looked a bit more blue. Finally, at about 11:30am we got our first jig strike. 1 jig fish & 2 bait fish. Alright, everyone was now primed for the start of a solid bite.
Set out the trollers and . . . . troll and troll and troll. Another 1-1/2 hours passed when finally, we get another jig strike. 1 jig fish and 3 bait fish. This seemed to go one for most of the afternoon. Scattered bites hours apart, 1-2 jig fish, 2-3 bait fish. By 2:30pm we had 13 fish. On my second troll rotation, we had a triple jig strike, unfortunately not on mine. I got my bait rod and threw in and got picked up immediately. Let the fish run for a 5 count, then set and nothing. Wind in and the line was cut clean. Grabbed another set-up with 25lb, cast out and let the sardine free swim and swim, then, pick up, run, engage, set and fish on. Fought him for about 10 min. then head gaff. Sweet. I’m finally on the board.
This was our best stop, 12 fish total. Everyone was now really geared for a strong late afternoon wide open bite. So, troll, troll, troll . . . . and, same thing. Scattered bites, 3-4 fish at a stop maybe 1 hours apart. It was a grind. We had one other stop of about 9 fish at around 6:00pm. But, the late afternoon bite never really developed. So, we were grinding all day long from 5:30AM to 8:00PM. The final total for the day was 48 albacore. I managed to catch 2 more in the late afternoon; 1 jig fish and another on bait. So, I was satisfied. I had 3 fish. Most of the fish were from 20 to 25 lbs. The largest fish was about 30 lbs.
Day 2 again started early around 5:30am. The Apollo had run back in to the 90 mile mark for the rest of the trip. We could only hope that some of the fish moved closer to the mainland. Well, day 2 was much slower than day 1. So, again, we trolled and trolled and trolled. Finally, at around 9:30pm the captain sees a kelp, circles the mark & throws bait. I work my sardine off the port side toward the stern. The angler beside me gets picked up. Then, I get picked up. Run, run, engage, load and set and fish on.
From there, we stopped on 3-4 kelp patties. Most were vacant, but, one kelp produced a beautiful 28lb bluefin. The last kelp resulted in 2 yellowtail. I was lucky to land 1 of those 2 yellows. Final count, 51 albacore, 1 bluefin and 2 yellowtail.
No doubt, this trip was a grind. Since the fish were scattered and bites scarce, you had to be ready and on the rail for every stop. In any case, unless you were in the water, you had no chance at fish. So, you had to make every opportunity count.
The good news. We did pick up fish closer in on the 2nd day. Also, the kelps in that area were nice sized. Most were vacant, but, two held fish. So, there is hope that this area will develop or maybe the fish will move in a bit closer in the coming weeks.
Can’t say enough about the Apollo and its crew. Top notch all the way, from captain JJ to all the deckhands and Nick the cook. One of the best boats I have ever been on.
Lots of this. Trolling.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0751Small.jpg
And, trolling.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0771Smll.jpg
And, trolling.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_07552Small.jpg
1 of my 4 albies.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_07642Small.jpg
Beautiful 28lb bluefin.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0769Small.jpg
Bonus yellowtail.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0774Smll.jpg
And, the filet.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0776Smll.jpg
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0780Smll.jpg
The payoff. Fresh maguro, sashimi. Yummm.
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac86/nsugimoto/Apollo%20July%202010/IMG_0783Smll.jpg
Sorry for the limited pix. Too busy fishing. Phew, it was a alot of work, but, well worth it. Thanks for reading.