BY GUNDY GUNDERSON
SAN DIEGO — The long range fleet started the new year strong boating excellent catches of local bluefin tuna. The fish are wintering once again in the eastern pacific, and it is a boon to the local and long-range fleet. Despite some rough offshore waters, the fishing was good for a mix of school-size fish and a nice whack at some bigger models including a few cows. When the weather got too much offshore, the boats moved into the northern Baja coast and found good fishing for yellowtail. The first trips to the traditional cow grounds also left the dock. The Excel is steaming southward on the first 16-day trip of the year. No one has been down below for a while so it will be interesting to see what is down on the grounds.
Polaris Supreme on biggies
The Polaris Supreme was back on the bluefin grounds on a New Year 5-day trip. The boat had a run-in with some big, trophy bluefin. The boat sent this message, “Back on the big bluefin. Captain Aliyar called in with 16 bluefin from 100- to 200-pounds. Great start to the New Year’s 5-Day Trip. We will be fishing yellowtail today and when the weather lays down we will resume tuna fishing.”
The next day, more good fortune and a final tally, “We finished off the year with a bang. Ended up with 21 bluefin, 2 over 200- pounds, 18 from 100 to 200 pounds and one at 90-pounds.”
Indy on local bluefin
The Independence was on a New Year’s Special trip targeting local, offshore bluefin. The boat ran into a school of larger models and made a catch. The boat sent this report, “Hey guys we have been pounding it out with a bit of weather and some big bluefin. We started out seeing good sign of 150- to 180- pound fish that were a bit reluctant to bite. We managed to hook a few handfuls of fish, but these tough fish had other plans. We spent our next day on the beach to get out of the wind and we scraped up a catch of yellowtail , rockfish and bass for our effort. The weather was beautiful today and we had high hopes of getting back on the meat. “
The report continued, “The next day, the fish didn’t show up ’til late and didn’t hang around long. We were able to hook a few more bruisers but suffered with a few more losses. Nevertheless, they put on a good showing. We are headed up the beach for tomorrow and will look for yellowtail and make a few cod drifts before heading in.”
Intrepid 4-day
The Intrepid was on an after Christmas 4 day with Capt. Bill
Cavanaugh at the wheel. The boat had to begin along the baja coastn with the weather up offshore. The boat sent this report, “We departed on our after Christmas 4 day yesterday morning. Today is our first day of fishing and we had a nice morning of yellowtail fishing with most of our fish in the 15- to 20- pound range. We are currently making a move to get in postion to fish bluefin this afternoon. Our weather is nice with just a few light rain squalls. We have high hopes.”
After few signs offshore, the boat returned to the beach for more yellowtail fishing. The veteran skipper sent this report, “Good yellowtail fishing. We spent yesterday targeting yellowtail with good success. Most of our fish came on the yo-yo jig and some bites were had on the fly-line sardine. Our weather was nice all day. The afternoon and evening before we made an attempt at bluefin and came up empty handed. We are trying for yellowtail again this morning before we have to start working towards home. Everyone is having a blast. “
The reports continued, “Our jackpot winners for the trip are as follows: third place went to Cole Chavira with a 25-pound yellowtail, second place went to Cirdon Cole with a 28.1-pound yellowtail, and first place goes to Stephen Echardt with a 31.2- pound yellowtail. We are in for a week before our UC Composites 15-day departure. Happy New Year, everyone.”
Rooster heads to beach
The Red Rooster III was also on the bluefin grounds but got chased off by bad weather. The boat sent this report, “Had some Flat-Fall action for a few fish in pretty tough conditions. Windy today and looks like more tomorrow. We may head down the beach for a day to get out of the wind.”
The move paid off, “Fun day on the beach with yellowtail fishing. Worked at it all day in pretty nice weather.”
