Short version: 2 blues (6-7ft), 1 baby mako. 2 of sharks untouched, 1 released.
Long version: Although is it very late in/end of the season, I still wanted to go give it a shot for Makos. My dad and I went out with Capt. Steve Quinlan on his boat Strike Zone, to see how he sets up and fishes for the monster sharks he has battled on his boat. Although Steve is known for taking some really big makos (and the controversy that comes with that), he now advocates C&R for clients and himself, outside of taking not more than a couple of fish a year.
Ok, so on to the fishing report- We launched out of Davies around 7am to super dense fog, which lasted all around the Wall and started to improve only barely as we looked at our first spot, the 270. The water here looked blue, and there were a lot of drifting kelps around, but on the cold side... 63 deg. Steve didn't feel good setting up a slick this cold of water so we committed to making the run out to the 172, which is between Catalina's West End and Santa Barbara Island. The water there was not much warmer, 63.5, but everything else looked right. Long story short, we ended the day with 1 baby mako and two good sized blues that came into the slick. The larger blue (7ft, 100+lbs) I baited and had fun with on a 40lb set up, but their reputation for terrible fighters was again confirmed with this fish. Also- Steve exclusively sight fishes. So we didn't have to mess with the blues, or baby mako unless we chose to.
I think if you sharked in warmer water down south you could still have a go at Makos, but we chummed very, very thick up at the 172 and it was an unproductive day. As always though, great to get on the water, and Capt. Steve and his charter I would recommend if you want to target big makos- this guy and his mate work hard for you chumming and keeping things interesting. Chumming is not just throwing a few buckets over; it is all day work mashing up tuna carcasses and keeping the slick going. Steve and his mate alternated being chummer, and it never stopped. When dealing with big makos, you really do need someone who knows what they are doing. Quinlan has the experience and know how to safely release or kill large makos; we will go with him again next year in prime season.
Ryan
Ps. The boat, a 29' Proline, is awesome. A very stable ride for a center console, and spacious enough for shark fishing. At sunset, as we headed for the ramp at 51knts on the inside of the Wall, you really appreciate the speed.
edit: here's a pic of the blue.
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