Rail Time Fun - Again!

Although boarding the Rail Time was a bit circuitous this trip due to construction, we managed to get all our stuff boarded and settled.  Cathy joined us on this trip.  The rest the group included Brian, Jim, Steve, me and Jeff.  Jake and Andy (normal crew members) were working on the Mirage and were replaced with Brett and Eric.  We really missed Jake and Andy. 

Gary said we should set up for yellowtail and seabass with 30 and 40 pound outfits.  We departed around 7 pm. I set up my Penn Tordque 25NLD2 with 40 pound Berkley Fluorocarbon and the Penn Fathom 15LD2 with 30 pound Berkley fluorocarbon.  

We stopped at the bait receiver for sardines then we tried to snag some mackerel.  Mackerel catching didn't go as planned so we headed to Clemente to get some squid.  I crashed early.

When I got up in the morning, we were on the squid grounds with the crew making bait.  We ended up with some nice squid and sardines.  

San Clemente Island was supposed to be closed but we were able fish around most the spots all day.  I was lucky to land the first yellowtail, however, Cathy landed the biggest one.  It weighed 30 pounds.  Great fish.

Yellowtail was our primary focus with a short foray off island to check out a school of bluefin tuna.  As is typical for the bluefin, as soon as we got close to the school, they would go down.  We never had a chance.  We did finish the day with 13 yellowtail and a handful of calico bass. 

Late afternoon, Gary decided to make a move to Catalina.  Jeff, Steve and Brian decided to nap.  Jim, Cathy and I sipped wine and ate dinner (lasagna).

We awoke the next morning in Cat Harbor - calm waters.  Gary worked the island hard checking all his spots.  We picked at calicos all day but the yellowtail were stubborn.  Finally, in the last 30 minutes, we picked off two more yellowtail I caught one and Gary the other.  I was fishing my Penn Fathom 15LD2 on a Penn Carnage rod with 30 pound Berkley fluorocarbon and a 1/0 offset J - hook with a live squid on a very long soak when the fish bit.  Once the fish was on board, we noticed the fish has 3 other hooks in him - two on his side and one in the mouth.

Brett and Eric pulled our fish out of the hold for photos then processed them for us on the way home.

One of the great things about the Rail Time, besides its comfort and great Captain is the speed we travel.  We were back at dock by 6 pm - less than two hours travel.

We unloaded our gear, split up the fillets then headed home.  Happily, I was home by 7 pm and avoided the heavy traffic.

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