Not kayaking: late 2.5 day tuna report

[Limits]

Cliffnotes version: 17 anglers+kick a$$ bait+ awesome crew + best captain in the <5 day fleet = 2 day limits of YFT to 25 lbs+ all the yellowtail you want up to 25 lbs+ 15 BFT up to 70 lbs :shock: + dodos up to 20 lbs





Full read:

SO another year, another charter with the Beandips. Ron (beandip) a former regular surf angler and wife Shari (Beandip's wife) officially turned in spinners and 2 piece surf rods for custom wrapped JAWs blanks and Accurate twin drags and Shimano Talicas. 8)

This was my 4th year (2010, 2011, 2012) fishing the dynamic duo and their crew of fish slayers. Years past have been epic and this year's trip was looking no different.

We had a great tailgate at the landing with BBQ ribs, spicy tuna tip, smoked salmon, 'adulterated' jello and plenty of libations to kick off the gathering. The best part - the 1/2 day boat had just returned with yellowfin tuna AND bluefin just 10 miles out!!! It was looking to be an epic trip.

While we chilled and drank, the PacVoy reported their count from their 1 day trip. Not looking very good on paper with 16 anglers reporting in with 80 California Yellowtail, 13 Yellowfin Tuna, 24 Bluefin Tuna, and 7 Dorado. Further investigation revealed that the reason for the low counts was that the 24 bluefin were in the 50-70 lb class and they lost 2 out of every 3 fish hooked! It was looking like bringing my 60# outfit was the right call!

We were the last to load up as the Marc was late getting back to the landing. While some would see it as annoying, I see it as a testament to what Marc will do for his customers to ensure they get the best bang for their buck. We weren't going ridiculously far so a late start was not an issue.

With slammers full of beautiful, cured sardines, we headed for an area about 80 miles southwest.


DAY 1
Conditions were slightly bumpy but laid down quite nicely as the day progressed. (click image below to see video)


I was up by 6 AM and by 6:30 we were on our first patty. Soon after we were hearing the "thump thump thump" of 15 lb class yelllowfin and 4-6 lb class yellowtail hitting the deck.

A lone BFT entered the counts and soon after, I'd nail the biggest yellowtail of the day.



Just when I thought the yellowtail was the king of the hill, the crew started getting into dorado...and nice ones at that.

Oceanfishing newbie Elizabeth with one of her dodos!


NorCal gal, Cindy with one her hens.


Shari with a beautiful dodo and me with a failed photobomb attempt


Jeff with another dodo



OH...and I did say some NICER ones right?
Deckhand Kyle, Shari, Cindy, Elizabeth and Deckhand Kazi with some mahi mahi!


I'd hook a couple of huge bull dodos, just to watch them chew thru my 30# test while doing a tail dance. That was frustrating! I'd get my fair share but they'd end up being the 15# female variety instead of 20+ # males. Still decent sized fish!

We'd hit a few patties and pick off a few YFT here and there. The yellowtail were like mackerel and everywhere.

A few skippies made it onboard. The crew was ready to release them till I claimed a couple. These make EXCELLENT hoop bait!



We'd troll, get a meter mark and put a few fish on board. Then troll, hit a patty and get a few more.

Then about midday, Ron would spot "the magic patty". This was the kind where you'd hit it 3-4 times to get all it had to offer. WFO YFT, yellowtail, and dodos. It was insane.

The sacks would quickly fill on each pass and then crew would quickly tag them and toss them in the hold. This image would repeat itself several times.



3 hours later, we'd have our fill of YFT and dodos. The yellowtail at this point were being C&Red.

Dusk approached and we were winding down for the night while Deckhand/stand in cook Steve got dinner ready. Before we could get going, Marc jumped on the intercom and announce that a school of bigger BFT were metering under the boat.

Deckhands Steve, Kazi, and Kyle along with a few of us passengers would jump back on deck and start tossing in baits. After a long soak, 3 would go bendo on the 50# outfits, while Gary would hook up shortly after. 4 going and these were ripping off line with drags buttoned down!

The crew would hook and hand off their fish to Drew and Elizabeth, while 30 minutes into the fight, Gary would hand his fish off to Ola.

First to gaff was Drew with this 45 lb class personal best BFT.


Next up was Elizabeth with her fish, estimated to be around 60 lbs.


While Drew and Elizabeth would land theirs in about 30-45 minutes, Ola was in for a tussle. Another hour after Gary passed the baton, Ola was still bendo.



I was so beat, I actually fell asleep before he got his 2-gaffer on deck. A solid 75 lber


While Ola played around with his fish, we decided to play with Elizabeth. A long standing angler's tradition is to eat the heart of the first tuna you catch. While denying should would ever do it, you could tell she'd give it a go!
:mrgreen: :mrgreen:



Then the moment of truth (click on image below to watch the video)


For a gal who got grossed out by fish blood, and scales and hooking bait and fish hearts - she was an absolute trooper!

With a lot of stories and memories locked away from day one, the dinner of stuffed chicken, steamed veggies and ice cream desert was awesome. At this point, everyone agreed, no matter what day 2 had in store for us, it was a GREAT trip.

As far as counts go, it was definitely a great day of fishing but for me, my game was a little off. The WFO YFT bite was great for others, but ok for me. Everybody would have a nice bull dodo under the belts while I had checked in with 2 hens. My saving grace was the nice yellowtail but even that wasn't going to cut it.

Less than 5 minutes in the sack and I dozed off with a revamped game plan on the brain.... (all the while Ola was still on deck fighting his fish. LOL)

Day 2

Nothing like waking up and hearing the faint message over the intercom "Ok guys, we got tuna marking under the boat".

I quickly scrambled on deck to see 5 others meandering around. I grab my 30# outfit and join Ron at the rail. Not 2 minutes in and I'm bit, but in my haste, I set the reel in gear too early the fish bait pulls.

I claim I'm bit, but the group and crew on deck don't look convinced. LOL.

Next Ron's bit and like me, misses the hook set. Now guys are starting to come on deck.

I get bit a 2nd time and this time it sticks! 20 minutes into the day and I've got a YFT on deck. BOOYA.

We'd pick off a few more before the school would move on and we'd head out.

The rest of the day, we'd 'casually' fish, getting a few fish here and there. My game plan was to be first in the water and it paid off in spades. I believe we had about 15-20 YFT on day 2 and I'd end up with 3 of them, including Jackpot. 8)

I lost count of what we tallied for Day 2 but it was a fraction of day 1's count.



All told, it was just "another Beandip" charter. Great food, fantastic fishing, awesome anglers and you got the makings of an epic trip!

Thanks again to Ron and Shari for inviting me to join their charter. They are the best and I love fishing with them. To their charter group - what can I say....they are a fun group and I look forward to sharing the rail with them again next year!


Here's a few more pics for your viewing pleasure

Cindy, Elizabeth, Shari and Ron


Gary going bendo while chatting with Roger and Ron waits for a bite.


The "kill the dill" crew waiting for a jig strike


More of the "Kill the dill" crew. You have to love a crew that partakes in this level of bonding with the passengers.



The lady anglers of our trip - Cindy, Elizabeth, Shari and Lonnie.


Jeff, Shari, myself, Gary and Elizabeth working the bow



Owner/Operator Marc Ordonez on deck helping to clear a line. He is the BEST in the business.


Here's 1/2 the fish we caught on day 1.




On the ride in, Ola offered to share some BFT with me. I graciously accepted but by the time we pulled into the docks, completely forgot about his offer. Back at the landing he reminded me of his offer. Instead of just giving me a piece, which I would have been thrilled with, he gave me an entire bag - about 10#s of loins! Dude rocks.:!:

here's some of the BFT porn for your sushi fans.

[troutking]

Great read! Sounds like you had an awesome trip.

[blitzburgh]

Nice report. That BFT looks delicious

[LPetro]

Congratulations, sounds like an action packed trip and a full freezer. Troutking, if you ever want to plan an a tuna trip keep me in the loop!

[todd one]

Wow! You guys had a hell of a trip.