6/3 Report Dana point

[AbsolutePig]

Chartered the Clemente to Catalina island this morning, or so I thought. Arrived around 4:15 ready to roll. Boarded the boat and the Captain said water temp had dropped 8 degrees at Catalina and it would be a bad place to go. We ended up going south to a few local places instead.

To make a long story short, it was the worse ocean trip I have ever been on. I think a total of 6 fish were caught on the boat with one keeper 12 inch Calico. We rock fished for 6 inch rockfish in 300 feet of water........I dunno, just horrible. The crew was ok.......I'm not sure if the bite was just not on anywhere that day or the crew had no clue where to find them. I wish we would have went to Catalina.....couldn't have been any worse.

I guess I'll wait a month and try it again. I'm not a big ocean guy, but that was a big disappointment. Thanks to those who answered all my questions prior to the trip and made me invest 200 bucks in tackle for that trip.........lol J/k!

[E.A.R.G.]

duuude. sorry to hear about that. Did you pay for a charter to catalina? Cause that would suck if they took your money and stayed local.
anyways, better luck next time thanks for the report

[FISHINGBEE]

duuude. sorry to hear about that. Did you pay for a charter to catalina? Cause that would suck if they took your money and stayed local.
anyways, better luck next time thanks for the report Thats funny because a good WSB is going on at Catalina. Pier point landing had limits.

[JapanRon]

Hi AbsolutePig,

No half-pp charter fare .... one legal= JP fish ? In a charter deal, fuel is calculated into the total and sometimes even there a fuel surcharge. For your trip 'a few local places' ......not sure of actual running time but that alone must have saved somebody some money !! Terrible catching is not really the issue ..... but you'd think there would be some customer TLC !!

Couple of questions .....

Paid for actual Charter or local or island full day, 3/4-day ?
Charter fare split per person ?
Did everyone whine to go whatever initially ? :)
Did you get bait ? What was in the livewells ?
Did you go with a minimum of folks to leave the dock ?

A few more details might be useful to us for further consideration.

JapanRon

[jaggerbub]

Good thing i saw your post. I was thinking about juming on a 3/4 boat on sunday.

[AbsolutePig]

We are a bunch of cops........our station decided to pay for the whole boat and take 25 guys. That'ss what we did. We divided the total it was to charter the boat to Catalina ....I think 1500 or so......and divide that by 25 guys. It was like 70 bucks per person.......5am-5pm. The Captain said the bite was terrible at Catalina due to a drastic change in water temp so we were going to stay local. The bait barge was like 100 yards from where we left out of Dana Wharf. Picked up tons of smaller sardines and they had frozen squid. So we had everything.

I don't like to argue with the Captain because I'm sure they know more of what's going on then I do. They do that stuff daily..........I only get out in the Salt about every 6 months or so. But yeah, that's what we did. Drove south for about an hour then fished in 300 feet for rock fish........people caught a few....Im talking like 6 inchers.......and 8-12 ounce weights??? I've never seen that before. Of course I had to buy a few of those.

Then we drove around a little fishing spots here and there for nada. Then we ended up on some kelp and fished that for a while.......nada. People were pulling up stuff......starfish, some kinda octopus, small shark.....BUT NO FISH!!! I mean put us on a Barracuda bite or something. Then a guys' daughter on the boat has a seizure and the Captain elects to start heading back to the harbor (Understandably if it's a medical issue). Half way in the girl says she's fine and doesn't want to go back. We fish some other spots for garbage.......it was a joke. Then a buddy of mine ends up winning the jackpot with a 12 inch Calico....lol.

Needless to say it was a huge disappointment for me and puts a bitter taste in my mouth for Salt fishing. I need to go back in about a month to see if all the places have come to this. Doesn't look like I'll be going back to Dana Point any time soon. I couldn't even get my father in law on some fish......now he doesn't want to hit the ocean anymore with me........what a rip! SOrry for the rant I'm just extremely disappointed!

To answer your Q's Ron.......we are all novice salt guys so we left the decision up to the Captain on where we should fish that day. We paid for the Clemente to go to Catalina from 5am to 5pm.......at least that was my understanding. I asked after the fact if that changed any of the pricing and was told it did not. We didn't have a short boat, everyone was there. Yes we had sardines and frozen squid. We had a ton of bait left over but I think they just flushed it all out on the way in when the dock guys are cleaning everything. And yes, We had 25 guys to make reservations and all 25 showed. We didn't want any other publick people on the boat.......just coworkers and family. I'm bummed!

[AbsolutePig]

What makes me sick is I looked at Davey's Locker fish count for the same day and their Freelance 3/4 trip to Catalina with 17 anglers caught 21 calicos, 56 rockfish, 7 sheep head, 53 red snapper, 4 whitefish, 23 bocaccio, 13 clue perch.........yeah they sure weren't biting at Catalina due to the DRASTIC change in temperature. Two other of there boats got a good WSB bite and landed about 10 in the 20# categorie.....yeah we got ripped.......oh well, live and learn I guess. Thanks DANA POINT, never again!

[k3vin_kim]

We are a bunch of cops........

You should have arrested thier @$$e$

[smokehound]

Clemente, of course. I had a bad experience with that boat, too. Cap kept moving, even though we had a decent pick on fat sculpins and Rockfish.. Then the moron leaves for the boilers, despite informing us the bassing was terrible. Was your cap the Young Skinhead guy? I don't know his name, but I like to refer to him as "Stupid son of a *****".

[catfish 17]

Don't go to danas wharf! That place is a waste of time! I check their fishcounts often and never catch ****!! When i started deep sea fishing, i started going there, and i thought it was just me that wasn't catching fish, but it was everyone. That place is the worst, i don't even know how they still running their busisness lol. Go to any other landing, it's way better. trust.

[smokehound]

Don't go to danas wharf! That place is a waste of time! I check their fishcounts often and never catch ****!! When i started deep sea fishing, i started going there, and i thought it was just me that wasn't catching fish, but it was everyone. That place is the worst, i don't even know how they still running their busisness lol. Go to any other landing, it's way better. trust.If they would hit the boilers first thing in the morning, then work their way back, it would be alot better.. The ONLY time I would ever go is on a half-price day.. That way it's only like 25 bucks. It pisses me off that they always stay right by the shoreline, I'd like them to venture little further offshore, find some better rockpiles..

[JapanRon]

Hi AbsolutelyPig,

Wow ...... quite a moniker or a cop ...... or maybe I'm dating myself. A most excellent detailing (as expected from someone who writes notes for the police report writers). Thanks .... basically, everything is in perspective.

Landing might not appreciate my (meddeling) comments but I'm thinking that the charter .... with the number of folks you had was soooooooooooooo low-balled in the first place that It's little wonder that they switched gears !! I assume that you had a galley guarrantee along with the 1500 (island chater often 2000~2500 up here in LA, week days, crappy season)which should have bumped it up to around 80 bucks a head which is still about only 3/5ths of what they might normally get. They also must have known that with a lot of newbie sorta folks, the board (cutting) money would not be as if regulars were on the boat or..... deadheads present to catch fish to make some money for the crew.

The turnaround you described may have left the skipper out of the zone and his game plan went to heck so I would bet the rest of the trip would be a wash even after you stopped. Good or bad attitude .... skippers often have a general plan to initiate once plan A and B doesn't develop..... if anywhere near fish.

I'm investing the time to write this as I'm hoping you'll give the salt another chance and ...... bring some of those nice Sculpin to your FIL. You might ought even hook up with some guys here to increase odds on a good trip. Many guys will fish a Captain with whom they know well ..... over and above a landing or even a specific boat. Good luck.

JapanRon

[AbsolutePig]

Yeah I appreciate the info. Like I said I don't do the salt too often and I'm not familiar with any places that charter boats out of the ocean. I tried looking at all the different ones and who was catching what..........but everyone seems to agree to disagree on all the places. I hear good comments and bad comments from every place. I say I am done with the ocean but I'm sure I'll be back. (Won't be out of Dana Point though) I think I'll wait a month and try it again. Maybe a month of warm weather and the bite will pick up.

I live in Redlands..........what harbor does everyone recommend me trying next? I don't like being on a boat too long.......12 hours is plenty. I would do a 1 dayer, or twilight.....whatever, just something that will catch me fish and maybe have a chance to pick up some DD's. Thanks for the insight.

[Jackpot Jimmy]

Yeah I appreciate the info. Like I said I don't do the salt too often and I'm not familiar with any places that charter boats out of the ocean. I tried looking at all the different ones and who was catching what..........but everyone seems to agree to disagree on all the places. I hear good comments and bad comments from every place. I say I am done with the ocean but I'm sure I'll be back. (Won't be out of Dana Point though) I think I'll wait a month and try it again. Maybe a month of warm weather and the bite will pick up.

I live in Redlands..........what harbor does everyone recommend me trying next? I don't like being on a boat too long.......12 hours is plenty. I would do a 1 dayer, or twilight.....whatever, just something that will catch me fish and maybe have a chance to pick up some DD's. Thanks for the insight.

Sorry to hear about the trip, hopefully your next salt trip will be a successful one.

Try out Redondo Sportfishing, which is now under great new management. The Tradition, the landing's 3/4 day boat fishes the coast and Catalina Island and is available for charter. The captain has years of experience in the wheelhouse and tries his hardest to put his anglers on the fish. This crew was what drew me and my dad to fishing Redondo in the first place, and they are excellent and try to make your time out on the water a great one.

PM sent!

[JapanRon]

Hi smokehound,

With some of the boats from landings down south up on Izors or even the 'Shoe' fishing for Sculpin (as I photographed in my last report) you know the catching must be pretty slim down there !! That's a looooooong way for Sculpin and 2 Salmon Grouper ...... huh Jimmy !?! :)

You're being generous but !! :) Half-price Day / 2 for 1 day !! Wrong ...... often .... I say only OFTEN to address the exceptions .... that's most often when the boat gets packed .... worse yet ....that's packed or loaded with a bunch of meat hogs who will do anything (including stealing fish) to get a bag of fish ......ME and my buddies been there and watched that .... more than we should have to at a number of different landings/boats !! Not any more !! :)

JapanRon

[mrider]

Yeah I appreciate the info. Like I said I don't do the salt too often and I'm not familiar with any places that charter boats out of the ocean. I tried looking at all the different ones and who was catching what..........but everyone seems to agree to disagree on all the places. I hear good comments and bad comments from every place. I say I am done with the ocean but I'm sure I'll be back. (Won't be out of Dana Point though) I think I'll wait a month and try it again. Maybe a month of warm weather and the bite will pick up.

I live in Redlands..........what harbor does everyone recommend me trying next? I don't like being on a boat too long.......12 hours is plenty. I would do a 1 dayer, or twilight.....whatever, just something that will catch me fish and maybe have a chance to pick up some DD's. Thanks for the insight.


Sorry to here about your poor trip. Fishing around Dana Point can be bad around this time of the year but I've had excellent fishing at Dana Point before. The water has been cold so the Calico Bass fishing has been really down which is staple fish for that area. Also the best type of fishng around there in June is Kelp Bed fishing for Calicos which is not easy for newbies. Next time you want to charter a 3/4 trip I would suggest a trip up North like Sea Landing or Ciscos. The Stardust does 3/4 Rock Fish trips which are usually a slayfests and as about as close to a guaranteed fish catching trip as possible.

Ocean fishing on party boats is all about timing and location. Local fishing really has been bad last year and so far this year. Next time you plan on going, ask on this board or PM me and I'll share what I think is the best option at that time.

[vanillagurilla]

try pierpoint landing, 22nd st and redondo. ive done very well in the past on some of the 3/4 day trips but i wont cattle boat it anymore, no fault to the crew but the customers on the boat, bunch of rude bastards that need to be tought a lesson, tried to give one guy a swimming lesson but the captian stoped me b4 he was completly overboard :).

[murrieta angler]

Sorry to hear about the trip Occifer...:Smile:
Just 3 words.....San Diego Fishing!!!
Robert
<><

[E.A.R.G.]

Sorry to hear about the trip, hopefully your next salt trip will be a successful one.

Try out Redondo Sportfishing, which is now under great new management. The Tradition, the landing's 3/4 day boat fishes the coast and Catalina Island and is available for charter. The captain has years of experience in the wheelhouse and tries his hardest to put his anglers on the fish. This crew was what drew me and my dad to fishing Redondo in the first place, and they are excellent and try to make your time out on the water a great one.

PM sent!

the traddy always does well!! I second!