RP finds excellent fishing on traditional winter grounds
BY GUNDY GUNDERSON
SAN DIEGO-This past week, the long range fleet began a series of extended trips that target the traditional yellowfin cow grounds on Hurricane Bank and the Buffer Zone. With some spectacular fishing for bluefin in the northern waters, the fleet has not been down on these grounds for quite a while. Last year saw tough fishing and a lack of consistent conditions. The Royal Polaris was the first boat on the grounds this year and was pleasantly surprised to find good fishing on quality yellowfin tuna. The wahoo bite was also above average with the big sportfisher boating a catch most days.
RP on big yellowfin
The Royal Polaris was one of the first 16-day trips to travel down to the traditional winter tuna grounds. After a slow 2020 season, the boat was encouraged by a good showing of quality tuna with a nice sidebar of wahoo. The boat with Capt. Roy Rose at the wheel sent this report through crewmember Dharyl Shelbourne, “Well, we arrived at our destination around 18:30 hours. Roy looked around, and we made a quick tank of bait for the kites. We started with a handful of drifts and boy did they pay off. Most of the yellowfin were in the 50- to 70-pound range, with a few over the 100-pound mark, and one cow, that weighed in at 255 pounds. We dropped our anchor around 23:00 hours, and we are down for the night. Weather is perfect, with 8 to 12 knots of breeze, overcast skies.”
The following day, the bite improved, “Well, it was one of those days. We had excellent fishing on wahoo and yellowfin. It was one of those days you dream about. We had over 100 wahoo and close to 50 yellowfin, up to 210- pounds. Most of the yellowfin were in the 60- to 100- pound category, with a few going larger. The largest was 210 pounds.”
The report continued, “Our morning started early, with the yellowfin making the first move. After the morning yellowfin bite slowed down a bit, the wahoo didn’t take long to make there showing. We pick off 20 or so wahoo on the anchor, before pulling it to start trolling.”
The next day, more good fishing, “Well the beat continues out here, with yellowfin tuna, being the main target. We had another excellent day of yellowfin fishing, with most of the fish in the 70- to 100-pound range, with a few going over 200 pounds. The wahoo fishing was slow, only because the yellowfin fishing was so good. We will put in some time tomorrow on the wahoo.”
As the trip continued, some larger fish moved in and the boat landed a supercow, “Things are getting good out here. We had another great day of fishing, with the larger grade yellowfin putting on a show. Largest yellowfin today was a 318-pound beauty. Lucky angler was Wayne Tanimine, and he caught it on the kite. Wayne has had a great trip so far, he’s caught a bluefin over 200 pounds, a yellowfin over 200 pounds, and his personnel-best yellowfin, over 300 pounds. But Wayne is not the only lucky person on this trip. Lloyd Henry, has a bluefin over 200 pounds, and Lloyd has caught a yellowfin over 200 each day so far. We started on our second fish hold today, and it’s almost full. The wahoo did make a showing today, with most of them in the 30- to 40-pound range.”
The next day saw fewer wahoo and mostly smaller tuna but still a couple cows, “Well, everything is about the same as yesterday, except the wahoo have lock-jaw. The yellowfin tuna fishing continues to be excellent with the grade down a bit today. Most of the fish were in the 50- to 70- pound range, but we did have a couple of 200-pound fish. The majority of the fish were cut off today, since we are running out of room. We cut off any fish that was under 100 pounds.”
Rooster tribute
The Red Rooster began their long trip with a swing out on to the local bluefin grounds. The boat sent this report, “We searched for bluefin the first day of our Seeker Rods 10-day trip. Rough weather made it difficult to locate them. So we are headed south enjoying some warmer weather and calmer seas.”
The report continued, “We gave a toast to Jack Nilsen this afternoon on his favorite spot on the Red Rooster. Host Bob Peterson brought out Jackie’s drink of choice, Crown Royal. Could not have asked for a more beautiful day to celebrate Jack’s life.”
