Long Range: New Year bluefin

January 4, 2022

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ANOTHER BIG ONE ps — ) ANOTHER COW HITS THE DECK on the Supreme. PHOTO COURTESY OF POLARIS SUPREME SPORTFISHING

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.

NEW YEAR’S COW on the Polaris Supreme. PHOTO COURTESY OF POLARIS SUPREME SPORTFISHING

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.”

WINTER YELLOW on the Intrepid. PHOTO COURTESY OF INTREPID SPORTFISHING

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.”

NICE COASTAL YELLOW on the Red Rooster. PHOTO COURTESY OF RED ROOSTER SPORTFISHING

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.”

FLATFALL BLUEFIN on the Rooster. PHOTO COURTESY OF RED ROOSTER SPORTFISHING

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WON Staff