Vermillions on the Dawn!

Jim and I left Long Beach around 2:30 pm Thursday, May 26th heading to Ventura to fish LARRC's first charter this year on the Pacific Dawn.  We arrived early and Fernando let us put our gear on board then we went next door to have dinner at the Rhum Line.

Dustin arrived and informed us that we don't have squid, the bait required to go after the white seabass.  He said they would look for squid on our way out to Santa Rosa Island.  As it turned out, they were able to make 3 tanks of squid while we slept. 

We started fishing in the shallows early.  Dustin set the boat up for a few drifts dodging the crab traps and buoys.  Steve hooked up right away but that fish turned into a shark.  Even with the candy bait, the game fish ignored our offerings. After a couple hours, Captain Skinny headed further off the island to try for rock fish.  Two hours of fishing many different high spots in 70 feet of water and we struck out.

It was noon and we had yet to catch a fish.  Dustin said he had one more spot to try in deeper water and we would need to fish that spot differently.  Instead of dropping to the bottom and scoping out during the drift, he would put the boat over the spot and hold it on the spot.  Skinny said to drop our bait down and when we hit bottom, just keep tension on the line until the fish climbed on our hooks - then wind them up.

On the first drop, I caught two reds and my trip was made.  We continued fishing this new spot until we had full limits of rockfish.  I ended up with 8 Vermillions, 1 ling cod and 6 big chuckleheads.  At 3 pm we headed back towards dock.  Kayla cooked up some fish tacos, burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches for the trip home. Fernando and Matt filleted our fish just finishing as we reached the harbor.

  

We got to the landing by 7:30 pm, unloaded gear, got ice and packed up our fish then headed home.  I phoned Shig to let him know I had fish for him.  After getting my car at Jim's, I met up with Shig on Magnolia and gave him 4 reds, 1 ling cod and a couple chuckleheads.  He brought me a big bottle of very good quality Sake as a thank you.

When I got home, Mike and the boys were still up.  I took a quick shower then had a glass of Champagne with Mike before going to sleep.  A good end to a good day and good fishing trip.