Tribute at SCI

I was fortunate to get an invite from Ron Moy to fish his 1.5 Day Charter on the Tribute out of Seaforth Landing.  I was pleasantly surprised when I got to the landing and met up with several guys that I enjoy fishing with on the Merritt November Charter including Cliff, Chris, John and Josh.

Yuma Rick even came to the landing to greet us although he couldn't make the trip.

Tribute's owner/Captain, Mike Pritchard ran the trip with Daniel in the Galley and Big Dave playing deckhand rather than his normal position as Captain or second Captain.  We had another Captain on board, Steve, and 2 other deckhands.

I had hoped we would head to the tuna grounds but Mike decided we would fish San Clemente Island instead.  His decision was based on the sketchy catching on the bluefin grounds and because about half of the passengers were inexperienced.  Mike felt they would do better fishing for yellowtail and rockfish.  He was right.

We departed Thursday evening around 10 p.m. and had a fairly smooth ride to the island.  We purchased some live squid from a light boat at the island then went to Pyramid Cove to set up for morning fishing.

Typical set up for white seabass - small glow sliding sinker and ahi twist hook on 30# or dropper loop.  I fished the sliding sinker.  I was bit immediately by a yellowtail, however, after going around the boat once the line snapped.  The end of line looked like it had been sliced twice diagonally.  It was new fluorocarbon too.  That was my only yellowtail bite too. 

We hooked a few yellowtail and only one made it through the sealions.  A big black seabass was hooked on 25 pound line and brought to the boat in 45 minutes.  Pictures were taken then a release clip with 10 pounds of weight was clipped to the black's lip and sent to the bottom.  It took a little time but the fish made a kick and headed back to the bottom. 

Mike moved the boat a couple times and we picked up a couple more yellowtail then we headed to the back side of the island to fish rockfish.

I set up a two hook gagnion with plain hooks.  I hadn't brought any Kenji Flies because I didn't expect to be rockfishing.  I started with an 8 ounce sinker then had to move up to a 12 ounce one to counter the strong current and winds gusting to 20 knots.  I managed three nice reds, 1 lingcod, 1 sand dab and a few other rock fish that I gave away. It was slow fishing however the camaraderie made up for it.

We fished until dark then we moved back into Pyramid Cove for dinner.  Daniel served us a great tri-tip dinner then we hit the bunks.  We were awakened Saturday morning around 5 to come pay our tabs.  We were back at dock and on our way home by 6:30 a.m.

Mike and his crew were excellent and Ron did a great job as Chartermaster (thanks Ron).  I look forward to fishing with this group again.