John Cavour with his first ever legal White Sea Bass, 34+ lbs.
Fishing Sat. 5-20-06 with John Cavour, on his spiffy 24' Shamrock "Get Smart". We met Jim Chavez and crew of the Los Pangueros, at Davies Landing, out of Long Beach at 9PM, who we were buddy boating with. Word was that Nachos had squid, and he sure did, getting our planned trip to Santa Barbara Island off to a perfect start. The forecast was for fog after midnight, and Jim had Radar, so he led the way to the Island.
The ride out was very nice; a pleasant temp, and mostly calm seas, only bumpy spot was just past Point Fermin, but for only a short time. The distance on the GPS from the Long Beach light was 53 statute miles, and we took out time going out. We arrived at the Island at a little after 2am. It was pitch black, which prevented us from anchoring near our pre-determined destination, which had treacherous boiler rocks to avoid. John and I attempted to get some sleep, but neither of us got much.
I was wide-awake at 4am, when the moonlight allowed me to see where we were in relation to where I wanted to be. I waited until 5am when the Los Pangueros showed some life. We both pulled anchor, and moved into position about a ½ mile from where we spent the morning. Interesting that the Sport Boat “Toronado” was already anchored up near the position I wanted to be in. I had fished on the Toronado at this same place last Friday, along with a dozen other sport boats.
We set up just out side of him, which I determined after gray light, was just where I wanted to be. Jim set up about a 100 yards, Parallel to us. It wasn’t very long before I received a gentle tap tap on my live squid, which I was fishing on 25 Lb. mainline Hi-Impact Stren, a 25 lb. fluorocarbon leader, with a very small sliding sinker. Put the reel in free spool, the line began to run out, I put the reel in gear, wound down, and set the hook. The WSB was feisty, but not very big, and it didn’t take but a few minutes for John to net him.
Finally my first WSB in 2 years and probably 15 trips, I broke the curse of the Ghost!
As I let out a cheer, Jim hollered back and said they had just lost one. A few minutes later and John hooks up, but the fish was too strong for his 15 Lb. fluorocarbon leader, which broke after a powerful first run. About 10 minutes later John hooks up again with just the straight 20 lb. mainline, “P-line”. At first the WSB just fooled around, but it suddenly woke up and headed for the boilers. I had not ever seen a WSB make that kind of a “second” run. We both said oh no, it’s a mud marlin. John tightened up the drag, as the big fish nearly spooled John, on his Trinidad 20. Finally it turned, and was mostly out of fight, we then knew it was the right kind. The big silver Ghost emerged from the depths, and I gaffed it in the head.
Wow it was John’s first ever, legal WSB, later weighed at the docks, after bleeding all day, at 34 lbs.
We pulled anchor, and the Los Pangueros gang pulled into our spot, as we left. We only saw one hook up on the Toronado, don’t know how they finished up. We headed outside to where several other sport boats were anchored up, which I assume were targeting the yellowtail. Saw one fish gaffed, heard a little holler every now and then, but nothing else. We were slamming the whitefish on our drifts. Jim hollered and said he caught one WSB, and they had just lost another, line broke. They later lost one on the anchor, and finally caught their second WSB.
John and I looked around the island for signs of rockfish, neither of us are familiar with the island, that much. All the spots we found were loaded with whitefish, all quality size too, but no rockfish. Jim had made a move to also target rockfish on the front side of the island. Jim called and said he had just landed a 35 lb. Yellowtail on the dropper loop.
Jim Chavez with his 35 lb. Yellowtail
We drifted along side of the Los Pangueros, when both John and I watched our poles go down, a bite, but neither stuck. We heard hollers, and all three fishermen on the Los Pangueros were bendo! It looked like pandemonium, as all tried to stay with their fish. Over and under, and side to side. Apparently one yellowtail was extremely hungry, and took both baits, so they got one tail on two hooks. They then landed the last fish, after quite a battle.
Jim Chavez and crew, with their three tails.
We stuck it out until 12:30 pm, with no more action. Jim headed to the West End of Catalina, while we headed for the docks. The day had turned into something special weather wise as well. Great sunshine where has that been? Glassy seas, a couple of cold beers, Ghosts on the boat, and the ride home felt like heaven.
John and Cory back at the dock with their WSB.
Thanks so much John for the invite. Can’t wait to do it again. Hats off to Jim and crew, they had a whale of a day.
Cory
Good job Johnyyyyyyy
Re: Rpt-5-20 SBI, Get Smart Gets Ghosts! 
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