2008 Islander Trips

[aclozer]

I have been in on the June 15th trip for a while now. Just counting the days!

[sbsyncro]

So I am starting my planning for the Todos Santos trip in early June, and wondering what I need to bring for the trip. Can anyone with experience help me put together my "kit"?

Here's my stick choices:

Quantum M-H 7' spinning combo (usually use it for drop-shotting or throwing plastics). Spooled with 12# Stren mono

Torium on a 7' Sabre Stroker Pro (the $49 Big 5 special) wound with 20# braid and 12# flouro leader

Avet MXL on a Calstar 190 6' MH rod wound with 50# braid and 30# flouro leader

Teeny-tiny shimano Sedona spinner with Shimano 7' rod (my sabiki unit). wound with 10# Ande mono

Abu 6600CX with a7' Abu rod (medium-light) wound with 15# Ande mono line

My tackle consists mostly of live bait gear (1/0, 2/0, and 3/0 circle and octopus hooks, egg sinkers, etc). I have a pretty good collection of Big Hammers in browns and blue/silvers. Also have about a dozen "Trix Jetty Worms" with the big heads and weedless hooks.

I'm pretty light on irons and such - a couple of big krocs and a "buzzbomb" or two. Should I load up on more of this sort of thing?

What is the type of fishing most likely to be? Live bait, plastics, all of the above? What about typical depths and current?

Also, what about clothing - paddle pants and a nylon fishing shirt (with paddle jacket as backup) or full-on waders and paddle jacket? (neoprene or breathable?)

Thanks for any advice!

Brent

[Dan]

Brent. I think you need to define what you're after. I guess the choices are Calico Bass, bottom critters, or big fish such as WSB and YT.

Bring your Hammers and spin or bait casters with light 15-20 for the bass.

If you're going for the biguns, the torium/sabre and the avet will work for ya. Although I'd put braid or heavier line on the Tor.

Bring a sabiki for catching macs, the sardines the boat will provide are great, but not always the best for kayak trolling. 2/0 and 3/0 (by owner sizing) hooks will be good.

As for what you want to throw, iron, spoon, swimmies, whatever you're confident with. If you're not used to throwing iron, a Salas 7X or Tady 45 in blue and white is a good place to start.

[sbsyncro]

Thanks Dan - your comment is a good one ("it depends what you're after") and guess that strikes at the heart of the question I should have asked. - what will we be after in those waters?

I think I'm pretty well set for calicos (unless the average catch will be a lot bigger than up here in SB, which is about 12-16", but nothing lately...) I have never fished for YT, and never caught a legal hali (gotten shorties casting along shore with Krocs, that's it). The whole "trolling a mac" thing is a mystery to me, as we don't fish for YT or other big, fast pelagics up here.

So I guess the real question is "what species are we likely to be targeting, and in what kind of water?" That's probably the question I should have asked. :-)

Brent

[tylerdurden]

Originally Posted by sbsyncro

So I guess the real question is "what species are we likely to be targeting, and in what kind of water?" That's probably the question I should have asked. :-)

Brent

Who knows. Be prepared for anything from yt and wsb, to bass and bottom critters. We all hope to slam the wsb and yt, but if they just aren't there be prepared to fish bass or bottom critters. May as well bring 4-5 rods and reels and cover all bases. I think Todos is a mystery to most if not all of us on that trip. Shouldn't be too much different that fishing SCI or the coronados, but I don't know for sure.

[SurfFishDiveDog]

Rode the Islander this weekend. I am recently retired Navy and looking for second career back on the water. For many of us in the Navy, the longer you stay in, the more you drive desks and computers vice ships and boats.

Learned about Islander on this web site and thought they might be a natural fit touching on my water interests of kayaking, fishing, diving, surfing, etc. Rode them this weekend to see if the “fit” might be too good to be true. If this were poker I’d be all in! If it were before day passes, Islander would be an E-ticket ride for me.

24-26 April SCI trip report: Weather was beautiful, water temp was about 61 and the water was clear and glassy. 18 kayakers on the trip, first one deployed at 6 AM vicinity of China Point and last one picked up about 8 PM vicinity just West of Pyramid Head Light.

Fish take included 3 or 4 Halibut (largest was 40 inches and about 21 lbs), numerous Calico Bass with four or five in the 6 lbs range, numerous Sheepshead, a couple of White Fish and a Sculpin.

Saw some excellent opportunities for kayak free diving and spear fishing.

I think I heard there were about 8 spots open for the 2-4 May SCI Trip. This may be an excellent chance to go on a light loaded trip ….. and support a Veteran (me going back to work).

Take care, see you on the water, >Chris

[sbsyncro]

I'm driving down from Santa Barbara for the trip and might need to ask a favor from someone that is going on the Todos Santos trip this weekend (June 6th)

Apparently we need Mexican fishing permits, and I *might* not make it to San Diego before the tackle shops close for the night. If anyone lives near (or is planning to stop by) Squidco and can pick stuff up for me, I'd be grateful (good for a couple of beers on the boat, at least!). I'll pre-pay over the phone so you won't have to worry about that.

Thanks!

Brent
bpchristensen @ gmail . com