Dec. '01
Well after 5 days Guadalupe had not changed. Day one at the “Lupe”, Capt. Jeff searched the south side of the island the whole day. We had very limited success as would hook a couple of fish at a spot and then it would go dry. Maybe the current, water clarity, temperature or a combination of these factors was the problem. The fish were there just not in the feeding mood.
With the action slow on the south end we toured the east side as we headed back to Pilot Rock and later to Trophy Rock. There were “signs” of tuna but still no biters. We ended the day a Trophy Rock checking the bottom for yellowtail and calico bass. Both the yellowtail and Calico were home but few wanted to order take out orders. The lucky anglers that delivered the proper “dish” were rewarded with large yellowtails. Most of the ‘tails were 25 to 30 pounds. A couple of larger ones rocked the “delivery boys” that were slow on the draw. Shallow water, sharp rocks and smart yellowtail equals low success rate on hookups. As the first day at the “Lupe” ended most of the anglers had at least one fish to show for their hard work.
Day two at the “Lupe” was more of the same. The highlight of this day was a pair of 70 lb. yellowfin that dragged Aaron and Su Ming around the Red Rooster III late in the afternoon. Both landed their trophy YFT that aided in the jackpot weigh in later. You can find a photo of these to fish on the website. After two days at the “Lupe” that produced fair results on yellowfin tuna and yellowtail with a nice mix of calico bass and other bottom dwellers, we decided to end our trip back when the Bluefin had been last seen, 110 miles from San Diego. Would I take the chance and run to Guadalupe Island again in the same situation? Yes. This was planned as a Guadalupe Island trip. And who knows maybe the next time the “Lupe” will be on.
Our final day of fish was a mix of bluefin and albacore. With our bait supply getting low. The plan was to troll until we find a good school of bluefin and then start using the last of our live bait. When someone would hook up on the troll you could fish the “slide” with iron or swim baits or dead baits. If the bluefin came to the boat, then the live sardines could be used. If it was albacore we would land the troll and slide fish and we would be off looking again. Now some would wonder why pull off of albacore? Well this charter does not target albacore. Bluefin, yellowfin, yellowtail, bigeye or dorado are great but albacore are not worth wasting much time on. Of course if that is all that is biting of course we fish for albacore. Even with this plan the last day did produce quite a few albacore as well as a few more bluefin. Just about everyone that wanted to get an albacore or two got a few for their freezer. Hot lures for this day were Fishtraps in the Channel Island Anchovy color, Megabaits in Black/Silver and Salas 6x Jr. The author fished Fishtraps the whole day and fooled a pair of albacore and a pair of bluefin. No to shabby when you consider that no bait was used. Capt. Jeff spent the whole day looking for that one school that would finish off this trip with a bang but it just wasn’t to be.
In closing we had four full days of fishing. With good weather, wonderful anglers and bluefin tuna that were will to bite not a bad way to spend a 5-day vacation. Judging by how fast the 2002 trip has filled with returning anglers, they must have enjoyed themselves as well. We are keeping our keeping our fingers crossed and hoping the 2002 trip will be just as enjoyable too.