Guadalupe Island on the Searcher

The long-range fleet has made Guadalupe Island a destination for 4 and 5 day trips this summer. Why? Because the 45 to 100 pound yellowfin tuna have been biting well along with some trophy yellowtail up to 50 pounds.

The Braid Products 4-Day trip on the Searcher departed August 18th with 28 passengers and 7 crew members on board. Art Tayler, Captain and owner of the Searcher (http://searchersportfishing.com/) was at the helm, assisted by Aaron, Kevin, Reese, and Joe with Randy and Eric in the Galley.



The island is 220 miles from Point Loma and more than 100 miles off the coast of Mexico. We traveled all night and arrived in the morning at the north end of this mysterious island that is known to create its own weather. Art searched for a good spot to put the anchor down and selected an area at the south end of the island. Art suggested 30# or 40# line. It was a slow pick on the tuna as we ended the day with 39 yellowfin from 40 to 65 pounds and 2 yellowtail.



We experienced many knot failures during this trip. The fluorocarbon, especially 30#, kept breaking regardless of who was tying the knot. Crew members as well as passengers had trouble. Our best connection ended up being 40# fluorocarbon tied to either 30# or 40# monofilament with a back to back uni knot using lots of water before cinching the knot down.



Our second day of fishing produced 57 yellowfin and we managed to get at least one tuna for each person. I had a very good day. I caught 7 yellowfin including 4 on balloons plus an 81.2 pounder on 30# line using a Shimano Torium reel with a 6 to 1 retrieve. I sent two fish to the galley and handed off one to a young man that didn’t have a fish for the trip.



Our last day we traveled towards home looking for fish under kelp paddies. The weather was rough which made spotting kelps difficult. Art and the crew worked hard all day, however, the fish just didn’t show for us.

We arrived back at dock early to unload gear and fish. Bernie Rubacalba split first place with Todd Keehan, both with 73# yellowfin, and third place went to Dale Bunting for his 70.4# tuna.