BY BOB SEMERAU
LONG BEACH — Legendary boats have a way of building on their legacy.
A recent change of ownership for the 75-foot sportfisher is breathing new life into the operation.
The WON-Toronado offshore run had awesome weather despite storms down south in weeks prior. The storms worked to disperse schools being fished off the banks making it tough to get on top of action at the big bluefin tuna grounds.
Toronado, docked at Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach, was ready to roll for an early, 7:00 p.m. departure. Everyone boarded as they arrived, selecting bunks and rigging up, while the crew stowed the remaining provisions.
Captain Ray Lagmay, piloting Toronado for more than 30-years, announced that the boat now had Captain Mike Bullard, as second skipper. Bullard has been a fixture in the SoCal fishing fleet and returns as an integral part of the Toronado Sportfishing operation.
The change of ownership came about when Verne Sweeney purchased the vessel, built in the 1970’s, planning to continue operation out of Pierpoint Landing
Captain Bullard brought along his long-time cook, Brian “Brownie” Gutierez, whose meals are creative and delicious.
Owner Verne Sweeney says there are great plans in the works.
“This year we do haul out and will work on any issues we find then. But we are doing new sonar to make our fishing even better. We’ll be updating the wheelhouse and soon, redo the heads,” says the proud owner.
Valuable goodies provided by trip sponsors were passed out. Each angler picked up a Daiwa gear bag holding Gamakatsu hooks, Izorline, Costa gear, and a Cancun Vacation Gift Card.
Checked-in and rigged up for the coming day, anglers grabbed some hot wings and took to their bunks, surprised to find blankets and pillows had been supplied for each.
Nearing the Cortes bank around 7:00 a.m., three troll rods went off, getting the day underway. Three football-sized bluefin hit the deck and Captain Lagmay began a pattern search of the area for others in the area. Toronado then ran to the Cortes, anchoring-up there.
With all 20-anglers working the rail, the group picked at fish till noon. Several schoolie bluefin were landed including the jackpot winning fish of the trip, a 22-pound bluefin for Michael Serguiff. The tuna earned Serguiff a spool of 50-pound Berkley ProSpec Mono, the one day boat cash jackpot, and the top prize of a brand new Penn Carnage rod. Frequent WON charter member, Pat Carillo found his tuna as well at the Cortes Bank.
On the move for the rest of day one the anglers tangled with some huge bonito on one troll stop, finally ending the day with a run to San Clemente Island in search of yellowtail.
On arrival at midnight the crew made squid at Pyramid Cove along with a dozen other boats, filling the tanks.
Around 4:00 a.m. angler began soaking squid on dropper look rigs with marginal results. Over the next few hours squid and ‘dines were sent out with only one yellowtail landed. Moves along the eastern shore of SCI gave up several calico bass and a pair of yellowtail to 15-pounds.
Seasoned angler and flower shop owner, Joe Jones, won second day jackpot and a spool of Berkley ProSpec Mono for his 15.6-pound forkie.
Contact:
Toronado Sportfishing, Pierpoint Landing, www.PierPoint.net 562-983-9300
Toronado Sportfishing Inc www.toronadosportfishing.com 951-660-4130
