Coastal Tanker... on the spinner!!!
Report for 7-8-09
On a charter a few weeks back we had brothers Jim and John Rygiol...in search of 60# seabass. We fished Catalina and we had a fantastic trip with limits of c-bass to 42#'s with brother Jim taking top honors. So when I got the call that a rematch was scheduled and we still where in search of the elusive 60#'er, I put my thinking cap on.
With lots of fish available at all the islands that was the obvious temptation, but I resisted as our mission was a big one... a really big one. So after watching the reports and checking the weather my main spot up the coast wouldn’t work as the water rolled so I opted for south, having made it perfectly clear to the guys that our shot would likely be "one bite, one fish". So we headed to the receiver to get a scoop of squid and a couple scoops of three week old well cured sardines from Nacho.
All tanked up I got up to cruising speed, put the boat on pilot and enjoyed a long leisurely ride in nice weather. Way below the harbor I pulled the throttles back and started looking around the area eagerly anticipating checking out a new southern sector. Soon as we got tight on the anchor we put out the chum bucket and it took about 3 1/2 seconds to have a cloud of perfect bait size mackerels around the boat. We picked an easy 25 to compliment our existing perfect load of bait.
Bass fishing was good, weather was stellar and although I marked a few bigger fish we never did hook any. I opted to re-position several miles south prior to dark while I could still see the kelp line to get properly set up. Although conditions looked good action was nonexistent. We did enjoy a fantastic dinner of Santa Maria Tri Tip from the BBQ along with all the fixing’s. As a side note we've been doing a huge amount of work on the interior of the Innovator and all the civilized touches are making these overnight trips much more accommodating. We had rigs diploid all night for no action. In the morning the area still had a dead zone feeling for no apparent reason and I opted to relocate.
By mid morning we had a good bass bite going, caught a nice 15# halibut (and to whoever lost a nice fish using light line with a red light wire circle hook... thanks so much as your loss was our gain). That spot also provided a big question mark and the second-guessing that will go on for awhile. We had several big boils around the boat that were fast , low and kind a square looking caused by a dark backed fish. One of which we apparently hooked. It was very fast, pulled a lot of line in a hurry with a rapid tail beat. Unfortunately it made the kelp and pulling hard to get it out the hook straightened... so we'll never know. It reminded me of those days as a kid fishing Blue Fin Tuna on the anchor on the front side of Catalina.
Much of the rest of the day was drama free until I got off a phone call to the announcement that head was plugged. Luckily with some serious brain storming and the perpetrator’s careful use of the deck brush handle we successfully dodged a big bullet
. In the late afternoon with time getting short I dug a little deeper in my bag of tricks and opted to fish a little secret spot that’s paid off big time in the past. It's amazing how when conditions are right you not only see it you feel it and the setup felt right. The birds are flying , the current was pulling , lots of fish high in the water column all the parts of the puzzle where in place. We started hooking quality bass, both calicos and sandies and I could just feel it all coming together.
Jim had got his rig stuck on the bottom so I had to retie a new fluro leader to the spectra. Recalling the old formula for success in angling, which is when preparation meets opportunity, I double checked the connection by pulling hard on all the knots. If something is going to break I want it to be in my hands not when you hook a fish of a lifetime. I'm glad I double checked everything carefully because on his next cast, just as I'm going up the bridge to answer my phone, I hear a little "Oh Oh" and I looked to port to see the straight spectra telegraph the headshakes we had been waiting for. The fish was pulling line hard a fast straight toward the anchor so we made a beeline for the bow. Jim was new to angling for big ones on spinning gear (Shimano Spheros 5000FB and a Talus TLS-F70MLA) and did a fantastic job of learning to pump, wind and cup the spool when necessary for extra drag. It didn't take long to realize it was a good one and we were on the fish for about 15 min and two trips around the anchor line.
It's nice when big seabass finally poop out and come spinning up to the top and the gaff finds its mark amid a bunch of hooting and hollering. We walked to the stern where Jamie got well braced to pull the big slug over the side and as you can imagine Jim was pretty excited and John maybe just a bit less... as his brother got the jackpot again!!!
I was all set to keep fishing in search of more (because I'm just built that way) but it was late and I was out voted. We cleaned up, headed for home, enjoying the beautiful weather and a nice cold beverage and the satisfaction of knowing it all came together again.
Rod ready for action
To much tri tip
Hot bottom fish action
Game on !!!
Coastal Tanker... on the spinner!!!
Good luck and good fishing,
MarkW
Coastal tanker... on the spinning gear!!! 
nice fish, great read
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