2022: Trip 3 - Thunderbird 1.5 Day
Trip 3 Report: Thunderbird 1.5 day, July 8th, 2022
I was really looking forward to trip three since returning from trip two.
This is a 1 ½ day trip returning in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Getting off the peninsula at that time will be a breeze.
During trip two, Paul Morgan encouraged me to learn how to tie the FG knot after I had an RP knot fail on a black sea bass.
I was up until 1:30 AM Thursday morning working on new knots.
Upon arrival at Newport Landing in the 1 PM hour timeframe I found myself close to the front of the line on the rail. Low and behold, Hayden was cooling his heels in the shade.
It was great to see Chris Jr and Elijah all the way in from Texas.
Upon unloading my precious cargo, I discovered I had left my CPAP at home. DOH!
Ahh, a golden opportunity for a round trip home, to give Chloe another hug and kiss and to drive to a coveted fishing trip for the second time in one day. Nirvana.
As I was heading home, I saw Luke and someone I did not recognize unloading gear. It was Ryan with a lot more facial hair than I last saw him. Montana has done him good.
With my CPAP securely in tow, upon my return to the peninsula, I only made one pass to secure a parking space in what seemed like another county.
The crowd had grown with the usual early arrivals and more. Stuart made a guest appearance and was mingling.
Luke was making the rounds gathering bounty for our fuel needs.
Groups of friends were finding each other and the comedy show of throwing barbs and insults was just getting under way.
Justin introduced us to Ian’s dad Nigel who joined us as a guest.
What a delightful gentleman. Quick and witty and as it turned out, quite a capable angler.
I overheard conversation that the fish now seemed bigger than several years past, where the tackle was straight mono that was typically 15 pound, with 20 pound being the largest line used. I had a flashback of fishing with Charlie Uhl and 15 lb. pink Ande. Within a few moment, Chris Jr produced a spool of pink Ande. Wow man.
Not too many years ago I was using all mono with fluoro leader.
What turned the tide for me to upgrade to better gear and spectra was an unfortunate encounter with California’s finest DFG A-Hole. A 20 minute last minute outing at the end of the day and forgetting to mash the barb on a fly resulted in a $500 fine. My Bad. I don’t know why that set me off. I still love to fly fish. And I now have much better saltwater gear. Thank you, DFG A-Hole.
Stories were shared with beers and friendships that have been forged over the years continue to grow.
Many made way to find a meal before the journey this evening.
It was good to get reacquainted with those I had not fished with since last year.
Justin and Ian introduced me to Mint Leaf Thai Cuisine. Pretty good curry. Who knew?
As the day grew later, the Thunderbird materialized in the harbor, docked, disgorged its anglers and made way for fuel.
As the Thunderbird returned, all seemed to stay close and a bit anxious to be aboard and underway.
As the time grew closer to depart, Luke gathered intel from Jeff.
Some spots a bit too windy, too far for our trip, no fish and so on.
It was decided to pick the Goldilocks location of just right. At San Clemente Island.
SCI has an area with willing Yellow Tail. It was an area that a few days earlier was about 2 miles wide that has dwindled in size and is now about a mile wide.
There was talk of procuring squid on the journey, unfortunately, that did not pan out.
Boarding for bunks was quick and orderly.
As was the new and improved process for boarding with gear. Thank you Tom Hill for making this recommendation.
Chris Lund graciously offered help with my 9 foot Shimano Teramar rig. A gentle reminder that I made it to Hogans a few hours before he did when Luke told us it was for Sale.
After all were aboard, most were busy rigging readying for the early morning activities close at hand or getting ready for a short night sleep.
Off to get bait at 9:15
At the receiver some were getting an early start on the action.
I saw a few bass brought up and I am sure there were more.
The bait consisted of sardines with a mix in size, most in the larger model sizes with a few mackerel thrown in.
Seemed to be in very good condition. This is a plus for the bait burning bunch we are.
We all gathered in the Galley for Goofy’s safety briefing and gave him our full attention and respected what he was saying. After all this is for the safety and wellbeing of all of us. After that was over, back to the shit show.
Jeff gave us the low down on the next day target. What to rig for. Dropper loop, fly line, light slider.
No BFT action anticipated on this trip.
While we were getting bait, I thought I heard Mike C. said he got picked up by a BFT.
Under way at 10:50
After finishing rigging for 20 to 50 lb. set ups, it was off to bed for this scribe.
4:30 First stop Outside Lost Poin
Squid lamp overboard. Chris was overseeing activities.
It did not take long. Sea dogs present and accounted for.
No squid. One flying fish netted after collision with side of boat.
Trying to get the flyers without a bang on the noggin is an exercise in futility.
Those things are wired spooked. Any movement from above and they are out of there in less than a heartbeat.
Several anglers offered finned bait and frozen squid. Small nibblers, a few non yellow tail, sea lions and not much else. No mud marlins on the squid.
After what seemed like hours (it wasn’t that long), we pulled anchor and headed in direction of China point.
Time to retie and be ready for dropper loop, fly line, slider and iron. Been there, done that.
We made a few more stops. Still hounded by the dogs, water color/clarity off, wind and current not quite ideal.
Jeff was looking to put us on a spot that would allow us to fish for more than a short while.
Somewhere in all of this action breakfast plates and burritos were served, snacks and coffee were going around.
Thank you Goofy, breakfast was muy bueno.
At one of our stops, sharp eye Mike C pointed out a bald eagle circling one of the outcroppings.
Somewhere along the way, willing yellow tail were encountered. Thing are looking up.
Many nice calicos made it to the deck. Many released with sore lips, a few stayed aboard.
Bonito, barracuda, calicos, sheep head, white fish.
The Yellow tail action was difficult. Many hooked, many lost to the sea dogs and structure.
Goofy announced melon in the galley. I am not sure who the contributor was. Yummy.
More yellow tail and our guest Nigel showed us how to hook and land a few. He went 2 for 4.
Bill Parks was able to get one past the sea lions. Steve Strum put two on board.
tJeff kept moving up and down the island where allowed. I heard names like Flower Point, Church Rock, China Point, Lost Point, BFE. We tried several spots. Back and forth as options were limited.
We saw crashing fish. Some were yellows, some bonitos. More hookups, more heartbreak.
We were catching fish, some nice calicos, mix of bonito, barracuda, sheep head, white fish.
.Goofy served lunch sometime in here. Special of the day. Pastrami burger. Belly buster and goooooooood.
This was a two stop burger. Thank you Goofy.
Throughout the day it seemed like we passed the Amigo at least twenty times.
We saw the Islander kayakers out and about. I am not sure I would want to be out there in a kayak with multitude of sea lions in the water. Especially if I caught a fish. A sea lion could easily ruin your day in a kayak.
Jeff put us in close to the island in a few spots. Real close. And a few shallower spots.
During one of his maneuvers for the right position to drop anchor, he told us to hold up.
He looked back and saw 22 baits in the water, over the bull horn, he asked with dismay in his voice, “What are you doing?”
2 PM the call went out for meat snacks in the galley.
Later in the day, Jeff put us on frigging awesome Calico spots.
The calico fishing was the best I have experienced in the past four or five years.
Beautiful fish with deep coloring. Several nice sized fish were caught.
I was looking around and saw BJ bringing a sizable brute in from the shallows.
Then Bill Parks masterfully landed the leading contender on frozen squid.
Measured 21 ¾ X 15½ . What a beaut. Nice fish, nice fish. Beautiful colors.
Congratulations Bill.
We continued to fish into the evening and through dinner time. And continued.
Frozen squid was the ticket with a well placed cast.
Earlier on this last stop, a few leopard sharks were hooked. Luke hooked into a larger one that had him running around the stern for a bit.
Steve Strum brought in a baby moray eel. I did not see it, however I am sure like all moray eel pulled out of the water, it was pissed.
I heard rumor a few lobsters showed on the bow.
Dinner was nutritious and delicious as always, served with a variety of red wines shared with friends
Kudos to Goofy and those that assist with the meals.
Klondike bars made an appearance and quickly disappeared.
All in all a very good fishing trip
Yes, we were dogged by the sea lions.
Gary said he went 0 for 3. Chris Jr. mentioned 0 for 2.
I am sure others were mugged by the dogs.
The calico fishing did make for a memorable trip.
As I have said in the past, I feel very blessed and fortunate to be a part of this unique club.
Being on the water with this group of anglers is what make these trips for me.
Catching fish is icing on the cake.
Catching a yellow tail, tuna or big Calico. Orgasmic.
Halibut would be good too.
Nigel Parker won the Jackpot with the largest fish
Bill Parks was the patch winner and now has the largest Calico for the year to date. Close to 8 pounds.
We headed home and were back in the harbor between 4 and 5.
We all managed to find our vehicles, pick up our gear and fish, say good byes, see ya next trip and head on out
Chris Jr and Elijah were making a local stop then driving back to Texas. I am beyond those days of driving like that. I need my less than beauty sleep.
I am so looking forward to the next adventure.
I want to thank the DWRRC officers, charter master, crew of the Thunderbird and all who make these trips possible. And the group of great people to enjoy this with
Your humble scribe,
Jeffy
The Anglers
Gary Thompson
John Lenker
Chris Lund
Bill Parks
Jeff Hinrichs
Ryan Burson
Luke Burson
Hayden Claisse
Steve Lenker
Chris Ramsey JR
Mike Castillo
Murphy Parks
Elijah Ulrich
Mike Higa
Andy Woodhill
Jeff Stephens
Steve Strum
Justin Becker
Nigel Parker
Ian Parker
BJ Dyer
Tom Waller
Thunderbird Crew
Jeff, Chris, Steve, Goofy and ????
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