With all the big tuna being landed at Hurricane Bank, 44 over 200 pounds, some of you might get the urge to go tuna fishing.  There are three travel options on trips this winter, drive down - drive back, drive down - fly back or fly down - fly back.  Each has their good and bad points.  I will list them and you can decide which one is best for you.
   
    Drive down - drive back is the least expensive route. With this option you take the boat to and from the fishing grounds.  Just show up in San Diego with your gear and hop on the vessel.  Three later you will be fishing for the big tuna.  When your have finished fishing the vessel takes you back to San Diego.  You load up your car and drive home.   If time is not an issue and money is tight this is the way to go.  No need to worry about airplanes, reservations and lost luggage.  The only draw back is the time spent traveling home on the vessel.  Usually the ride down is fine, the return ride uphill can be rough. Some vessels offer 14 or 15 day trips with this option.
   
    Drive down - fly back is the second option.  This is the way to avoid the bumpy ride home.  You load your gear in San Diego and you hop on the vessel and start your trip. This is the option I prefer.  I do not mind the ride downhill as it gives the angler time to fine tune their tackle and get rested for the upcoming tuna battles.  Once we have finished fishing, I know that I am headed to Cabo San Lucas for a couple days of much needed rest.  Since I live in the Bay Area I normally stay in Cabo for a night or two before taking the flight north. You can fly into San Diego, Los Angles or to San Francisco.  Something about riding 2 ½  or more days uphill does not appeal to my stomach.  It does cost a little more money than the first option because of the plane flight.  I feel it is money well spent if the weather is bad on the boat ride to San Diego. There are lots of trips 16,17, & 18 day trips with this option.
  
    Fly down - fly back is the final option.  This is ideal if time away from work is critical and money is not a problem.  You can save as much as two days each way in travel time.   This savings is based on the fishing being good at San Benedicto.  If you have to run further offshore the time savings is reduced.  One thing to look for in these fly down - fly back trips is the  vessel is carrying cured sardines.  This will allow to start fishing at your first destination.  You will not have to make bait first.  The main disadvantage  besides the increase in total cost of the trip is dealing with airports, making reservation as well as transporting your fishing tackle.   Some of the vessels let you bring your gear to vessel and then you can meet the boat later in Cabo San Lucas.  That saves the hassles with luggage.  If you are leaving from the Bay Area that does not help much. If you can spare the extra days, book a trip of 10 days or longer in length.
   
    As with any long range trip the more days you will be fishing the better chance you have of having a great trip.  If you are planning to take a trip, take the longest trip you can. A good example is if the fishing is good at Hurricane Bank. Hurricane Bank is about a 4 day run from San Diego and about 2 ½  day run from Cabo San Lucas.  Just look what the Red Rooster III (18 day) and the Excel (16 day) were able to do at Hurricane Bank. A shorter length trip just does not give you as many options or can limit your fishing time.
   
    There are openings on most long range trips this winter. If you want to catch a two hundred pound yellowfin tuna is could be the last time before the turn of the century.  I has been about 4 winters since the last great big fish year.  Pick the option that best fits your needs and get on board.  Just remember when you land that 200 pounder you do not have to lie about how big it is.

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