2019 Islander Mothership Trip to San Clemente Island - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Uncle_Tomas · 07-02-2019, 08:39 PM

Thanks Ed. I think we had like 6 guys that got bit that afternoon. Nobody could land one though. One guy fought his fish for 4+ hours before he broke off. (The crew landed one from boat though on flat fall and heavy set up).
The whole time fighting that fish I was thinking that there is no way I can land this. I honestly felt like it’s just Mother Nature messing with us.
I think I was the only one doing this trip for the first time and guys who have been doing these trips for years told me that this has never happened before and will most likely never happen again. But you never know! We actually saw them boiling on Saturday too not too far out but bunch of us were already done fishing for the day with kayaks loaded on racks. (Sucks as I took my two speed set up with me that day and kept looking for boilers all day but never saw one).
I am glad I finally had chance to feel what is like to fight big fish and I was not mad at all after we lost it. I was actually pissed at myself more when I lost YT close to my kayak as I was pulling too hard and pulled the hook. That was the fish I could have landed but did not. I have been only fishing in salt water for little over a year so there is still a ton for me to learn. Still loose more fish then I catch but I am getting better and better at it.

Anyways, the second day I was focusing on catching YT and rockfish. As I did not want to come home without fish. I got 10 rockfish pretty fast using red Shimano butterfly jig. Was able to pick up a lot of them in about 280 ft.
I was also flylining for YT but did not see any as I was waiting for them in deeper water. Little did I know that they are actually circling the island and generally are super close to shore. Well maybe next time. Also got nice sheephead - that was a nice bonus.

I have done couple of off shore trips (non kayak), but this one was for sure
the best by far. Group of people was amazing, super helpful and supportive, really liked the crew and Captain on Islander as well. Going next year for sure!

Tight lines!

Carlos Gonzalez · 07-03-2019, 08:40 AM

great trip!
thanks for sharing!

kurt · 07-03-2019, 08:43 AM

That's so awesome to hook up to a bluefin that size. I can't imagine the pressure and amount of drag you'd have to have to get that fish heading up when it's directly below you. That's a battle you'll remember forever.

Saba Slayer · 07-03-2019, 10:46 AM

WOW...just to be around those big boys blowing up on bait must have been awesome...to hook one was insane...LOL

lamb · 07-03-2019, 01:20 PM

Sounds like a great SCI trip!

BFT part - just awesome and cool!

The stuff dreams are made out of.

You guys were blessed with a decent shot. Sorry to hear it didn't pan out all the way through. It is one hell of a tough game to rope one of those bigger bft on a kayak, even with proper/heavier gear!

summers in kuwait · 07-03-2019, 01:38 PM

Great report, videos and recap. I am very jealous and the those big BFT

A few years back Bryan and I were about 6 miles out from Scripps Pier and we ran into some big ones. Bryan had a hookup, but lost it. Heartbreak, but still amazing!

rhyak · 07-03-2019, 01:40 PM

Damn, that would have been awesome we were stuck at home during your trip just getting clips of video. Just hooking one of those bruisers would have been awesome.

Trip to remember for sure.

JohnMckroidJr · 07-08-2019, 08:19 AM

RHYak - Awesome video and report -- thanks! Especially like the few uw clips with the water wolf? Back in the '80s when I decked on a Clemente boat, we would sometimes catch nicer Yellowtail on large bonito strips, even when we had live squid for bait.

Uncle Tomas what an epic hookup! Nice clip of BFT's rolling! I would have gladly signed up to chase them for 2 days. Wish that could be a regular thing. What an awesome experience!

IshaanFord · 12-24-2022, 01:43 PM

Nice story and amazing pics! Congratulations on the big catch!

07-03-2019, 08:40 AM	#2
Carlos Gonzalez Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ensenada, Mexico Posts: 119	great trip! thanks for sharing! __________________ Carlos Gonzalez

07-03-2019, 08:43 AM	#3
kurt Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: 2 inches above sea level Posts: 503	That's so awesome to hook up to a bluefin that size. I can't imagine the pressure and amount of drag you'd have to have to get that fish heading up when it's directly below you. That's a battle you'll remember forever. __________________ "All I got was a rock"

07-03-2019, 10:46 AM	#4
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,878	WOW... WOW...just to be around those big boys blowing up on bait must have been awesome...to hook one was insane...LOL __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer Last edited by Saba Slayer; 07-03-2019 at 02:10 PM.

07-03-2019, 01:20 PM	#5
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Sounds like a great SCI trip! BFT part - just awesome and cool! The stuff dreams are made out of. You guys were blessed with a decent shot. Sorry to hear it didn't pan out all the way through. It is one hell of a tough game to rope one of those bigger bft on a kayak, even with proper/heavier gear! __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

07-03-2019, 01:40 PM	#7
rhyak Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Central Coast Posts: 398	Damn, that would have been awesome we were stuck at home during your trip just getting clips of video. Just hooking one of those bruisers would have been awesome. Trip to remember for sure. __________________ Team Central Coast Kayak Fishing

07-02-2019, 08:39 PM	#1
Uncle_Tomas Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Laguna Niguel Posts: 49	Thanks Ed. I think we had like 6 guys that got bit that afternoon. Nobody could land one though. One guy fought his fish for 4+ hours before he broke off. (The crew landed one from boat though on flat fall and heavy set up). The whole time fighting that fish I was thinking that there is no way I can land this. I honestly felt like it’s just Mother Nature messing with us. I think I was the only one doing this trip for the first time and guys who have been doing these trips for years told me that this has never happened before and will most likely never happen again. But you never know! We actually saw them boiling on Saturday too not too far out but bunch of us were already done fishing for the day with kayaks loaded on racks. (Sucks as I took my two speed set up with me that day and kept looking for boilers all day but never saw one). I am glad I finally had chance to feel what is like to fight big fish and I was not mad at all after we lost it. I was actually pissed at myself more when I lost YT close to my kayak as I was pulling too hard and pulled the hook. That was the fish I could have landed but did not. I have been only fishing in salt water for little over a year so there is still a ton for me to learn. Still loose more fish then I catch but I am getting better and better at it. Anyways, the second day I was focusing on catching YT and rockfish. As I did not want to come home without fish. I got 10 rockfish pretty fast using red Shimano butterfly jig. Was able to pick up a lot of them in about 280 ft. I was also flylining for YT but did not see any as I was waiting for them in deeper water. Little did I know that they are actually circling the island and generally are super close to shore. Well maybe next time. Also got nice sheephead - that was a nice bonus. I have done couple of off shore trips (non kayak), but this one was for sure the best by far. Group of people was amazing, super helpful and supportive, really liked the crew and Captain on Islander as well. Going next year for sure! Tight lines!

07-03-2019, 01:38 PM	#6
summers in kuwait Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: East County San Diego Posts: 657	Great report, videos and recap. I am very jealous and the those big BFT A few years back Bryan and I were about 6 miles out from Scripps Pier and we ran into some big ones. Bryan had a hookup, but lost it. Heartbreak, but still amazing!

07-08-2019, 08:19 AM	#8
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,978	RHYak - Awesome video and report -- thanks! Especially like the few uw clips with the water wolf? Back in the '80s when I decked on a Clemente boat, we would sometimes catch nicer Yellowtail on large bonito strips, even when we had live squid for bait. Uncle Tomas what an epic hookup! Nice clip of BFT's rolling! I would have gladly signed up to chase them for 2 days. Wish that could be a regular thing. What an awesome experience!

12-24-2022, 01:43 PM	#9
IshaanFord Junior Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 1	Nice story and amazing pics! Congratulations on the big catch!