Bloodydecks.com - View Single Post - learning the hard way

jimb517 · May-31-2005, 09:06 AM

I had the joy opf spending my Memorial Day waiting at the Harbor Police dock to be cleared back in. Sunday I sailed for the 'Nados from Mission Bay. I left at 8 AM and arrived off North Island at noon. I had caught a giant cuda off a kelp on the way.

Although the islands are green and loaded with life, I saw 5 sport boats off pukey and not a single customer was bent. They were telling them not to lift their baits off the bottom.

I hate bottom fishing.

I sailed around the islands looking for birds or fish boils - saw nothing.

Anchored out off South Island and enjoyed the night. Lots of birds going off in the anchorage around dusk.

Up at 6:30, sailed around the islands looking for life Monday morning.

Nothing. But it was a beautiful morning. Metered lots of fish in the deep water off the lee of North Island.

Not enough wind to sail back - motored to San Diego Bay, arriving at 10:30.
Called Customs. They arrived around 2:30 PM, and inspected other boats before me. I was steaming mad. I had thought I'd clear in and spend the rest of the morning fishing the Pt. Loma kelp. As it was, I was barely home to Mission Bay before dark. I didn't plan on spending 4 hours waiting at that stinking dock.

I asked the guy "Do we have to clear in if we just fished the 'nados?". He said "Yes, but most people don't bother."

After filling out a little form, he said "Thanks, you are cleared in." I didn't get a receipt, US Customs clearance number or anything.

While I was waiting, even the Harbor Police came and told me to leave. He said this in not a public dock, you can't just spend the day here. I told him I was waiting to clear in and if they didn't come soon, I'd just leave. I told him you can ticket me or whatever, but this is crazy! Anyways he said "go ahead and leave, we don't care if you check in or not, its a federal thing."

As far as I am concerned I'll never ever admit to anyone that I went to Mexican waters and you'll never see me at that dock again unless stopped on the water and told to go there.

I know, I know, thats exactly what everyone on this board says.

I'm still angry.

I just wish ONE DAY, EVERYONE on this board would all to to clear in at the same time (call the papers) and make this idiotic requirement CHANGE.

May-31-2005, 09:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
jimb517 JimB517 Name: Jim Age: 51 Vessel: Catalina 25 Indiscipline Location: Valley Center Job:Program Manager Bio: Boating and fishing out of Mission Bay	learning the hard way - clearing back in I had the joy opf spending my Memorial Day waiting at the Harbor Police dock to be cleared back in. Sunday I sailed for the 'Nados from Mission Bay. I left at 8 AM and arrived off North Island at noon. I had caught a giant cuda off a kelp on the way. Although the islands are green and loaded with life, I saw 5 sport boats off pukey and not a single customer was bent. They were telling them not to lift their baits off the bottom. I hate bottom fishing. I sailed around the islands looking for birds or fish boils - saw nothing. Anchored out off South Island and enjoyed the night. Lots of birds going off in the anchorage around dusk. Up at 6:30, sailed around the islands looking for life Monday morning. Nothing. But it was a beautiful morning. Metered lots of fish in the deep water off the lee of North Island. Not enough wind to sail back - motored to San Diego Bay, arriving at 10:30. Called Customs. They arrived around 2:30 PM, and inspected other boats before me. I was steaming mad. I had thought I'd clear in and spend the rest of the morning fishing the Pt. Loma kelp. As it was, I was barely home to Mission Bay before dark. I didn't plan on spending 4 hours waiting at that stinking dock. I asked the guy "Do we have to clear in if we just fished the 'nados?". He said "Yes, but most people don't bother." After filling out a little form, he said "Thanks, you are cleared in." I didn't get a receipt, US Customs clearance number or anything. While I was waiting, even the Harbor Police came and told me to leave. He said this in not a public dock, you can't just spend the day here. I told him I was waiting to clear in and if they didn't come soon, I'd just leave. I told him you can ticket me or whatever, but this is crazy! Anyways he said "go ahead and leave, we don't care if you check in or not, its a federal thing." As far as I am concerned I'll never ever admit to anyone that I went to Mexican waters and you'll never see me at that dock again unless stopped on the water and told to go there. I know, I know, thats exactly what everyone on this board says. I'm still angry. I just wish ONE DAY, EVERYONE on this board would all to to clear in at the same time (call the papers) and make this idiotic requirement CHANGE.