Fishing Oxnard

Suckafish · Sep-07-2006, 12:44 PM

Yo

Gonna be in Ventura at the end of the month. Looking for some dope on the sportfishing operations up there, namely the 3/4 days. Any info on who's good or maybe more importantly who to avoid when planning. It'll be my first time fishing the islands, looking forward to it. Thanks in advance.

vibez · Sep-07-2006, 01:15 PM

Try Channel Island Sportfishing. http://www.channelislandssportfishing.com/

The Gentleman is a good 3/4 day boat.

Stringer · Sep-07-2006, 03:59 PM

I have always thought that Erna B out of Port Hueneme was one of the best boats out of Ventura County. Skipper is Dave Wortham and the deckie is Shawn Akers, hard to find any better.

**Johnnyfish** · Sep-07-2006, 04:38 PM

Personally, I prefer going out of Port Hueneme. Erna-B is a great 3/4 day boat. The Pacific Eagle and Mirage are great full day/over night boats.

poncherello · Sep-07-2006, 05:43 PM

Before living here in SD, I lived in LA and always fished the Ventura landings. Here's my 2 cents.

Cisco's (Channel Island Sportfishing) big landing has great potential but run down from the days when the Legend (Seaforth) used to be called the China Clipper. The Speed Twin is an awesome boat , but is a half day boat. They may be on a 9am to 3 pm schedule. This is a fast boat and you can still fish Anacapa island. Its a Catamaran boat so the bow feels like the stern. Plenty of rail space. Gentleman is a bit run down.

Port Hueneme Sportfishing. Located inside a Commercial Shipping Dock, you have to call ahead and make a reservation. When you enter the gate, you give your name and they check the list. If you're not on it, no dice. The erna B is a nice boat with a loyal group of regulars during the week. Be careful if you're playing poker. These old dudes are very good. Pacific Eagle is nice and departs at 0430. Call ahead to make sure the're leaving.

Capt. Hooks Sportfishing. In my opinion the better of the three. This is where the Pacific Dawn is located during the winter and spring. I used to fish the Coraloma which is the twin of the Daily Double. It was completely refurbed and great platform to fish. At the time, Greg Ewart was skippering the boat. He used to be on the Excel and the Monte Carlo. He now owns his own boat called the Aloha Spirit. From what I've seen on his website, the boat is completely refurbed. The boat will also hold a limited loat of 25 guys.

On a side note. Fishing party boats in SD gets you spoiled and sometimes takes things for granted such as bait quality, customer service, food, and the condition of the boat. No doubt you will catch nice size fish in the Ventura area. Good Luck And post a report of where you fished.

WalterPidgeon · Sep-08-2006, 06:53 PM

Erna B, Mirage, Pacific Eagle, and Sea Jay out of Port Hueneme Sportfishing.

Island Tak out of Channel Islands Sportfishing if you can get on it. Gentleman is a suitable runner up but often crowded.

The captains and crews of the Erna B and Mirage are tops!

As for the Erna B (WOOT!), I've never had a bad experience with them and have been fishing with Dave and Shawn for about 13 years now. Great men, smart as heck (you'll be hard pressed to find anything that Shawn doesn't know about marine biology and fishing it). They're also excellent (and affordable) for private charter and take real good care of their passengers. Even on a fishless day, Dave will get you some fish and is ethical about staying off the "nursery bed" kelps. Jean works the galley, keeps it very clean and tasty. Usually, the Erna B stays inshore but occassionally heads out to the Channel Islands (Anacapa mainly, from my experience), but you're still getting good fish without the long boat ride. Bring your light tackle since they don't mind letting anglers put the sport into fishing. As a side note, if you ever are bringing gals or "straight and narrow" types fishing with you, this is the boat to be on since the crew are absolute gentlemen with cleaner mouths than I've ever had.

Mirage is an overnighter, affordable, ethical, and OMG that Capt will put you on fish.

PS -- Bring a 20 - 30 lb rig just in case. That 45lb Yellowtail in my avatar was landed this August off of Santa Rosa. Be prepared.

fishnfool32 · Sep-09-2006, 11:32 AM

Erna B, Pacific Eagle are the best boats in ventura county. Great crews,
The ming family that runs the eagle are first rate and will run down too
Deep hole for the big bass. Not to many boats fish that area south.

Go get bit!!

Stringer · Sep-09-2006, 11:41 AM

It's always a little scary to go out on a limb in regards to boats or crews. I'm glad to see so many people giving Dave and Shawn their props.

I'm gad to see it's not just me who thinks these guys are tops.

Wow that would be a good limeric if I could throw in the word penis somewhere.

Suckafish · Sep-11-2006, 04:31 PM

Thanks everyone, I see the Pac Eagle is running the day I'm thinking of going. Do you have to take an overnight to fish the islands? Full days and 3/4's are coastal trips?

Stringer · Sep-11-2006, 04:39 PM

Depends on the skipper, and the latest fish counts. but no, it doesn't have to be an overnighter to fish the islands. anacapa and santa cruz islands definately do-able on a 3/4.

WalterPidgeon · Sep-11-2006, 04:40 PM

Just call up and ask. They can easily make the Channel Islands in a matter of hours, just depends on whether or not it's worth fishing out there on that day. Unless I'm mistaken, a bit more of the islands got zoned for protection but it shouldn't effect anglers too much. Call the landing and check the trends for the boats during that week, or just call up and ask directly. They're usually good on spreading info if they have it.

Oh, bring your ID. The landing is at the port which is protected, and you will need a photo ID to get past the guard gate.

WalterPidgeon · Sep-11-2006, 04:42 PM

PS- Gail works the landing, and is usually the one who helps me out. Ask for her.