Yellowfin Tuna in U.S. Waters!

Monday, October 6th, Jim Carlisle and I arrived at Fisherman's Landing around 3 pm and hit Mitch's Seafood for swordfish tacos and beer which was very good! Al Scow arrived shortly after bringing along his son-in-law, Kenny, for our overnight trip on the Pacific Dawn. Kenny was looking for his first tuna. We put all our gear in a dock cart and waited for the Pacific Dawn to arrive.

The boat arrived around 7:30 pm. Passengers unloaded their gear then the crew cleaned up the boat, ran out for supplies, grabbed their dinner then told us to board.

By 9 pm we were on the boat and setting up our tackle for the morning. A quick stop at the bait receiver then we were on our way. Captain Dustin said we were going to be fishing in the morning for yellowfin tuna off kelp paddies. He recommended 25# line and a 2/0 hook. Most of us hit the bunk around 10:30. We enjoyed a flat calm ride all night long.

I got up at 3:15 Tuesday morning after Fernando, the second captain, cut the engines. Al Scow was already up in the galley talking to Fernando. The weather was comfortable, with a full moon and calm seas. Ana served egg and bacon sandwiches for breakfast while we waited for the sun to come up. It was a long wait to start searching for kelps since the sun didn't come up until 7 am.

Dustin started the engines and the search for a kelp holding fish began. Moses and Ryan were on deck to help set up the trolling rods. We were fishing about 40 miles south of San Clemente Island with overcast skies and calm seas.

Jim and I were on the first trolling rotation. We struck out, however, the next group connected for the first fish on the boat. We thought we were going to get it done early, but we were wrong. Trolling rotation after trolling rotation passed along with kelp after kelp and by one in the afternoon we had 1 dorado and 5 yellowfin tuna. Not what was hoped for. We were still searching for Kenny's first tuna too.

Some of the passengers were discouraged but I wasn't as the fish hadn't bitten until afternoon the previous two days. Captain Dustin was as upbeat and cheerful as always. Nothing seems to discourage him.

Around two in the afternoon Dustin announced that this was the kelp and its holding fish. "Get a bait in the water fast." Dustin yelled as he jumped up on the bait tank chumming. He wasn't there long as chaos on deck broke out when everyone got bit. Ana came out of the galley and Fernando got up from his nap to help too. Dustin and the entire crew were either gaffing, spiking or tagging fish for the next hour as we bloodied the decks with 180 yellowfin tuna plus numerous skipjack. U. S. limits of tuna for all! And yes, Kenny got his first tuna plus 9 more to back that one up.

Then it was peaceful again as the crew lowered the fish into the hold. As I looked around, no one was spared blood spattered clothes and sunglasses.

Ana went back to the galley long enough to prepare lunch for those of us who hadn't eaten yet then she went back on deck to help the crew process our fish.

A nap was just what was needed for the trip back. When we arrived, we unloaded our gear and crew brought our fish to the top of the landing. We put the fish in our coolers and were on the road by 8 pm for the drive home. Great trip!

Wednesday found me canning tuna - some with olive oil and jalapeños and some just with vegetable oil. Of course some of the tuna found its' way to the sashimi platter and some to the pan for searing. There will be tasty mementos from this trip for quite some time.