Great Fishing in Alaskan Weather!

We departed San Diego early on June 27th for our annual Braid charter on the Excel. Dennis Braid was on board to greet regulars Don Burnside, Jim Kastorff, Sean and Holly Mullins, Steve and Kathy, Roland Reesby, Kim, Janet and Gorden Bailey plus some new passengers.

After picking up a nice load of bait, we headed off-shore in search of biting bluefin tuna. Seas were calm but the skies were heavily overcast. Justin Fleck was at the helm assisted by Mike Ramirez; crew on deck were Brandon, Joel, Josh and Jeff and galley Chef Jason Fleck was assisted by Vince Otani. Spirits were high as we shuffled around the deck setting up our tackle.

Tackle seminar the next morning was followed by sliding into a school of biting bluefin. The school stayed with us for a couple hours during which time we landed over 100 bluefin, 18 albacore and 1 yellowfin tuna (my fish). Captain Fleck decided to drift for the night and do it all over again the next day. Unfortunately the bite fell off as the weather came up in the afternoon. We still managed to land another 57 bluefin, 15 albacore and 2 yellowtail.

 

We spent the next day looking for kelps in 15 - 20 knot winds. Still no sun - just heavy overcast. Only one yellowtail to show for the day. Justin decided to head the boat to the ridge. We bounced around all night and found ourselves on the 23 in the morning fishing in rough seas. We didn't care though because the yellowtail were on the chew and they were quality 20 to 40 pound fish. We had over 200 yellowtail by 10 a.m. Justin had a crew fish off before we headed to Alijos Rocks. First crew member to put a yellowtail on deck would win. The catch - it had to be gaffed by one of the female passengers! I am proud to say that Jason and I won the contest!

 

We arrived at the rocks around 5 a.m. and anchored up. The weather started coming down and the fish started to show. A double sardine rig on the kite produced most of the fish. We had a full kite rotation at the rocks.  The biggest fish came on the Yummie flyer (hooked by Jason) and landed by Sean Mullins - 110 pound yellowfin. I had excellent fishing on the bobber balloon. I sent a couple big fish to the galley and took home 3 others the biggest of which was 84 pounds. There were a few fly lined bait fish but not many. We ended the day with 43 nice yellowfin and 11 yellowtail for the day. 

Justin decided to get us out of the rough weather  for a day so he took us to Benitos for a day fishing for Yellowtail, Calico Bass, and Reds. It was a fun day of fishing in flat calm seas but it was still cold and overcast.

 

The weather was predicted to come down so we headed back off shore for bluefin. The fish boiled up and made quite a show but we only landed a half dozen before it was time to put our tackle away and head home.

Great trip, wonderful friends but strange weather. We never saw the sun and it was so cold I thought I was fishing in Alaska but I will take that over rough seas and non-biting fish. I'm already looking forward to next year.