BY GUNDY GUNDERSON
SAN DIEGO — With two long range boats just arriving on the cow grounds, the local bluefin tuna stole the limelight this week, providing limit fishing for shorter trips. The early returns were good as the fleet found the wintering fish. Most of the fish were schoolies ranging from 25 to 50 pounds but there were plenty of better fish well into the 100-pound class. The Royal Polaris and the Independence arrived on the cow grounds anticipating the good fishing that has been taking place most of this season.
RP departs, fishes short
The Royal Polaris departed for the cow grounds on a 16-day trip but the fish radar was on right out of the harbor and the boat made a catch on the first day of travel. The boat sent this report, “Sorry for the long wait, but we are back in action. We departed Fisherman’s landing at 08:00 hours, headed over to the bait barge and loaded up on some beautiful sardines. We are now headed for points south, but BINGO!”
The report continued, “Around 20:30 hours, we found a school of bluefin tuna and the bite was on. Not wide open, but we did catch 38 bluefin tuna from 20 to 50 pounds. If you were up and not sleeping, you caught a bluefin tuna. We are now headed south, and we will bypass Alijos rocks as we head for our next destination.”
The report paused, to remember a fallen friend of the boat, “As you look at our title, we will remember Grant Hieshima, as a friend, fisherman, father, grandfather. The crew loved it when his sons would bring him fishing on the Royal, he was fun to be around, and we will miss him every year on this trip, but I’m sure he’s in heaven pulling on fish and enjoying the heavenly life. Grant, if you can see us, we miss you. Roy, Dharyl, Doug, Tommie, Travon, Eddie, Dave and Frank.”
Moving south another day, the boat found more fishing while traveling, “As we move south, the great eyes of Travon Jester found us a kelp paddy with some biting yellowtail. Most of the fish were in the 12 to 20 pounds with a few standouts. We caught a few of them, then it was back to the tackle prep. We will arrive to our destination tomorrow morning around 11:00 hours. Weather continues to be gorgeous, with flat seas, clear skies and sunny.”
Indy arrives on cow grounds
The Independence under the guidance of Capt. Matt Kaullen was also on the cow grounds. Unfortunately there was no Wi-Fi reception. The boat sent this message, There’s been good weather so far. We are having good fishing for yellowfin tuna with a nice sample of wahoo. We will get a better update and photos when the boat gets into back into Wi-Fi range.”
Supreme fishes short
The Polaris Supreme exited the yard running, launching into the spring schedule catching bluefin tuna. The boat, with Capt. Aliyar at the wheel, sent this report, “Bluefin limits. There is nothing like starting your 1½-day trip off with limits of bluefin tuna in the dark. We departed last night and by early this morning we had checked in with limits of bluefin tuna up to 100 pounds. We had 8 fish from 80 to100 pounds and the rest were in the 25- to 50-pound range. We will spend the remainder of the day fishing yellowtail.”
Another trip, more limits. “The bluefin streak continues. Another trip with limits. We have been fortunate enough to find biting schools of fish on a daily basis to start the season. Most of the fish are in the 25- to 50-pound class with 8 weighing in at 80 to 100 pounds. The weather has been very nice this week and our anglers have been treated to great fishing and some excellent food from the galley.”
Another 2-day, more good fishing: “We just called in from the second day of our 2-day trip with limits of bluefin tuna. We have fish up to 100 pounds. We are going to spend the rest of the day looking for yellowtail. We have been very fortunate to start the season so well. We hope that conditions continue to remain favorable.”
The last trip saw a relief skipper take the helm, but the results were the same. The boat filed this report: “Capt. Tanner ran his first trip of the season and delivered in true Polaris Supreme fashion. He put our 1½-day charter group on limits-style bluefin fishing in the dark. Limits on every trip of the season thus far. It just doesn’t get any better than that.”
