2025 Fishing on the Rail Time begins!

It was a long winter and it seemed like our Rail Time trips would never get here.  As the date for our first trip of the year approached, the weather threatened to blow us out of a trip.  Fortunately, the weather gods took pity on us and sent us out a day late with some remaining choppy seas to bounce us across the channel to Catalina. As we left the harbor, Gary said "Tighten your chin straps, its going to be a little rough."

Since I hadn’t reacquired my sea legs, I rode the bouncy seas in my bunk thankful I didn’t fall out during one of the airborne bounces. During the night, Gary and his crew (Andy and Jake) scooped enough squid to fill both bait tanks then anchored in Cat harbor on the backside of the island. 

By morning, the seas had calmed down nicely.  Gary started up the engines at 4 am and took us to another cove along the back side of the island and anchored up around 5 am. My fellow anglers, Cathy, Jeff, Rick, Jim and Steve, were already up and started fishing as soon as the anchor hung.  Gary deployed my dropper loop right away so technically I was fishing too.  Within 5 minutes, Cathy had hooked and landed a 45-pound white seabass using the pink leadhead on 50-pound line just like Gary had advised us to do.  What a way to start the trip.  Way to go Cathy!

We were very excited working our pink leadheads across the waters trying hard to hook a beefy seabass of our own when Cathy’s other rod went off. Jake grabbed it and handed it to me.  Fortunately, it was on her 50-pound line and I was able to land the fish.  It too was a big fish but not as big as Cathy’s.  Jim,  Rick and Steve each landed a big seabass so when Jim hooked another one, he handed it off to Jeff.  Unfortunately, that one found the kelp before Jeff could turn its head.

As quickly as the bite started, it was over.  We worked the area for another couple hours before going on the hunt for some biting fish.  We caught and released several calicos, barracuda and small seabass but no game fish during the day.

Gary put in quality time banking some good Karma.  The first deposit was done by handing over a couple scoops of squid to a friend of Gary’s who asked for intel on fishing spots which Gary carefully provided.  Although he didn’t ask for bait, he didn’t refuse it either.  When Gary offered it. Gary passed him over a couple scoops of bait to go with the intel.  Not long after, another boat pulled alongside.  That boats captain said he knew Gary but hadn’t been out in a couple years.  He said he had been working at a new job and now had two new babies.  Another scoop of bait was passed over the rail and the second deposit was made into the Karma bank.  When Ken Cirks, a true and close friend of Gary’s, pulled alongside, another scoop of squid was handed over.  Ken has deposited lots of good karma with Gary himself by helping Gary on and off the water many times.  Of course, Andy had some spicy commentary on the generous sharing of squid that he and Jake stayed up in choppy seas to catch.

Just before sundown, we anchored in another cove further down the island.  We were fishing for halibut, yellowtail or seabass.  Sheepie caught a nice seabass on a leadhead. Jeff and Andy each landed a nice halibut. Jim hooked a good fish but pulled the hook and I released a small halibut.  We all caught and released several Calico bass.

I was fiddling with a green spectra backlash when my dropper loop rod got bit.  Jake grabbed it and traded rods with me so I could pull on my fish.  It was the smallest seabass of the day but it was a seabass.  The fish quit biting at dark so we cleaned up for dinner.

Cathy provided us with BBQ ribs and chicken, baked beans and coleslaw, all of which were appreciated and delicious.  Jim brought the ice cream bars for dessert. I was exhausted so I hit the bunk as soon as dinner was over.  Crew made squid again but I slept through it.

Gary started the engines again at 4 am and we were fishing by 5 am.  It was later in the morning before the fish began to bite.  Sheepie was on fire again.  He hooked and landed a baby yellowtail plus he hooked another big seabass which he handed off to Jeff who did a masterful job of landing it.  Jake and Jeff each landed a big halibut and Jim landed a small seabass.  I hooked a big seabass on 40-pound line that headed to the bow and surfaced heading offshore when the spectra snaped as Jake was moving the rod around the bow.  After inspecting the line and rod, I found a small chip on the underside of a guide that must have nicked the line causing it to break.

I put that rod away for the trip.  As I was setting up another rod, my dropperloop got bit.  It was 60 pound line so I was able to land that fish.  It was one of the 30 plus pounders like some of the others in the hold. By then, it was time to call it a trip. 

Andy and Jake worked cleaning the boat and processing our fish.  We had 11 seabass and 4 halibut for the trip.

Other interesting news:  The Peter’s Landing Office is now located in a building occupying the slip next to the Rail Time.  Gary installed a new Roku TV screen in the salon and connected it to his fish finder so we can see what he is seeing.  And Andy is going to change careers.  He’s moving to Idaho to do farming full time  We wish Andy much luck and happiness.

As always, thank you Jeff for organizing the trip and much thanks to Gary, Jake and Andy for taking such good care of us while providing great fishing opportunities.