SCI Kicks Out Limits of Bass!

Jim Carlisle and I arrived at Fisherman's Landing early Monday afternoon and found parking immediately. This was not a good omen! Open parking spaces in the middle of August means that off-shore fishing is so slow that boats aren't filling their spots. We were heading out on the Pacific Dawn on Joe Schlater's 1.5 day charter. The Pacific Dawn was one of only two boats heading out that night.

Captain Pat Cavanaugh polled the passengers to determine if the group wanted to head 120 miles off-shore chasing bluefin or albacore in the hopes the fish would finally begin to bite or fish for calico bass at San Clemente Island. We were not optimistic that we would be the lucky boat to land a tuna so we chose SCI over a long boat ride. We picked up a load of anchovies and sardines and departed the bait receivers by 11 pm.

Pat was our Captain with Dustin as second; Whitney anchored the galley with Man Dog (Mike), and Mo on deck. There were 19 passengers most of whom have fished together on this Charter for years. Jim and I were new to the group.

I woke up around 4:30 am Tuesday morning to the smell of fresh brewed coffee. We were just sliding into Pyramid Cove and the squid boat was just finishing a wrap. Pat positioned the Pacific Dawn beside the squid boat and they passed over a few scoops of live squid.

 

We began fishing in the cove then gradually worked our way up the back side of Clemente eventually finding good conditions at the West end of the island. With good conditions came suicidal calicos. Most of my fish came on the anchovies but sardines, surface irons and Sluggos worked well too.

Afternoon snack consisted of Teriyaki smoked salmon collars, albacore paté, elk meat sticks, and pork sausage (courtesy of Joe and his hunting successes). By late afternoon, we had limits of calicos and needed to find another species to fish. The Navy had closed the east end of the Island in the afternoon so Pat took us around to the front side to look for some yellowtail or seabass.

Dustin had his 8-year old son (Cameron) on the boat. He was a delight and definitely knows his way around the boat. I found him pinning a squid on a hook for a passenger afraid to do it himself. One point during the day, Dustin and Cameron went on top of the wheelhouse to look for bird schools and breaking fish.

As we traveled around the west end, we could see one of the military's training areas which looked like a replica of an Afghan village. The island has had a lot of development since I was there last.

Pat checked out cove after cove. We picked up a few more calicos but no game fish. As we were traveling, Whitney cooked up Pork Loin roast with a lobster cream sauce. It was first call for dinner just after sundown. Amazing what Whitney can do with two hot plates and a grill. I hit the bunk by 9 pm and slept right through the night to the gentle rock of the boat.

I awoke this morning around 4 am to the sounds of hard rock and the crew filleting fish on deck. ETA to dock a little after 6 am. We packed up our gear and paid tips and tabs. I was home before 8 am.  By all counts this was a great trip - great crew, clean and comfortable boat, flat calm seas, biting fish, good food, and good friends. There is a twinge of disappointment with the lack of tuna but that is not something the Captain or crew can control.