Searcher Fun!

Twenty-Seven anglers departed on the annual Braid Products 4-Day trip aboard the Searcher. Art Taylor was at the helm supported by crew members Kevin, Kenny, Aaron, Cole, and Andrew. Charles anchored the galley. I handed out Braid t-shirts and jigs when Celia checked the passengers in. Art rushed out to the bait receiver and loaded bait while the last two anglers were shuttled out by skiff. Art was in a hurry and the “G” word was being whispered as our destination. Shortly after leaving the point, we heard the engines pull back and I knew our destination had changed and we would not be waking up at Guadalupe Island.

Captain Taylor informed us that the fleet had good fishing on big albacore and bluefin tuna just 90 miles from Point Loma. Instead of racing to Guadalupe Island, we would take our time traveling and wake up in the albacore/bluefin zone the next morning.

We spent the afternoon with a safety and tackle seminar and rigging gear. I helped passengers with line connections and knot tying lessons. Energy was high with the excitement higher. Several passengers had never been on a trip longer than two days.

I thought I would be alone when I got up the next morning at 3:30 a.m. Not so! At least 5 others were already on deck. What an anxious group. Art had told us we wouldn’t begin fishing until daybreak which was around 5:30 a.m.

Water temps were 68 degrees with overcast skies and we had 15 knots of wind to start the day. We trolled around for a couple hours before Art announced that we were coming upon a breezer so pull the trolling jigs in. As we got closer we heard Art say “Oh my goodness, this is a really big school of bluefin! Get a bait in the water now!” Needless to say, we did. This school stayed with us for three and a half hours during which time we landed 58 bluefin and lost our share as well. These tuna were all 40 to 55 lbs. each. My first fish went to the Galley and was large enough to make a seared Ahi dinner for everyone plus a tuna melt lunch the next day for everyone.

Roy with a Bluefin Tuna on the Slammer Jig

I fished 30 lb. Berkley Big Game mono with Berkley 30 lb. Aqua Blue fluorocarbon and a Mustad 92677 ringed hook in 1/0 size. This was a perfect combination for me. The other successful set-up was the small slammer jigs with treble hooks. Several passengers were begging for more jigs when someone cut them off.

When the bite finally stopped, there were three seiners in the area along with two helicopters and one spotter plane. Sad to see and of course the bluefin went down and weren’t seen the next few days. Captain Taylor informed us we were on a course for Guadalupe Island and would be there in the morning.



We awoke to flat calm seas and the dim outline of that mysterious island that attracts great white sharks to feast on the trophy yellowtail and yellowfin tuna around the island. The American Angler and the Q105 were already anchored at the South end and the Intrepid was searching for fish further south. Art said “no trolling” as we were looking for the black porpoise to fish the tuna they hold. We fished the porpoise all day and caught two big yellowtail and 32 big yellowfin tuna at the island before heading back off shore. The yellowfin were 50 to 60 lbs. each and the yellowtail were 32 pounds each. I had one of the yellowtail and five of the yellowfin all caught on flylined sardines. One of my yellowfin was caught on the new Mustad circle hooks I was testing.


Guadalupe Island

Bluefin Belly Sashimi at snack time

Yellowfin Tuna on new Mustad Circle Hook

Yellowtail on Braid Slammer Jig

Back off shore for our last day. This was the best day of fishing for the group. We had over 200 mixed fish landed fishing kelp paddies. Most the fish came from one kelp. There were 20 lb. yellowfin tuna, Dorado and yellowtail. I had planned to release all my fish this day but Art suggested I donate the fish to the anglers that were having a tuff trip instead – which I was happy to do. We ended the trip with a flourish and everyone had plenty of fish to take home.

Mola Mola

Last Night's Dinner

Jackpot fish from the trip were the yellowfin from Guadalupe Island weighing in at 55, 58 and 60 lbs. Tim took first place. I think we are all looking forward to next year’s trip.

Jackpot Winners