5-Day Excel 7/5-7/10

[skenney]

I wanted to check in and see if there are any other BD members on this trip. Looking forward to it, judging by what appears to be coming up the line.

I was orig sched for the 6/15 (5-day) but moved that in favor of the trip being sponsored by Seeker.

Question: What is the point of having a fishing trip sponsored? I have been on plenty of open long range trips but never a sponsored trip.

Thanks for the information.

[divegod1]

free stuff, and they bring ALOT of gear and knowledge to the trip

[Fishious]

Originally Posted by skenney

I have been on plenty of open long range trips but never a sponsored trip.

?? Looking at the schedules, pretty hard to do. Seems like if a trip isn't sponsered or chartered, it don't go. Open party LR trips are a thing of the past, like 10 - 15 years. Oh sure, the Intrepid did some last year because it was a pariah, but look at their schedule this year.

'Course, long range used to mean 10 days or longer...

[iconpyro]

Free gear giveaways and a possibility of winning some rods in a raffle or for bringing the first tuna,bluefin,dorado, or something over a certain weight.

[skenney]

The Excel has a 7 day non-sponsored on Dec 15th. The AA has a 2nd of July, 3rd, 13th of August trip that isn't sponsored. The RRIII has a non-sponsored Dec 26th. It is possible to jump on a non-sponsored trip, even in this day and age. My dad always hated the sponsored trip. He was raised back in the day of wooden fishing boats and cane poles. He always took me on the open trips but limited load. I don't know, just curious what to expect.

I don't think that "long range" constitutes "10-days or more." I would say if you can't swim back, assuming the sharks and water temp don't kill you, it's long range.

[ebnash]

Hey man,
I am going to be on that trip as well. Wanna bunk up and share a room?

All kidding aside, this will be my first long range trip. I have been out for Salmon and Rock Cod since I was a kid up here in Central Coast area but I have never been after warm water Ocean species before. Really looking forward to fighting some real fish.

This Steve Kenney guy (originator of this thread) talked me into doing this trip and over 2K in gear later, I am ready to kill some fish. The awesome part is we will be out of a job by then with a fat retention bonus and severance check without a care in the world

We will definetly by posting a report with pics when we get back.

[Steve K]

Sponsors work with reps or owners and can be very involved in the trip or minimally involved. At the lowest end there are sponsors who simply have a few giveaways and say let's go get 'em. That's pretty much the nature of the trip I leave on tomorrow, by the way. It's Phil from G Loomis, and John Lloyd, (that's right, old Zukey himself) the owner of Zuker lures. After the giveaways the first day, it's pretty much a fishin' trip.

At the other end of the spectrum would probably be a trip sponsored by a major rod and/or a major reel maunfacturer. I should think the 6/27-7/5 eight day coming up on the Rooster will be pretty much a full blown party of daily giveaways and prizes, plus teaching, coaching, help you select a bait and pin it on for your hook for you, cast it if you want, even hook and hand; whatever a guy needs to help him catch more fish. Included in the price of that trip will also be free loaner rods and reels, appropriately backed with spectra and ready to be topshotted with the right stuff. This of course is co chartermastered by a couple of legends in the sport of Long Range fishing; Bill Casper and David Choate. Of course you know them as willy and wahoodad. Both of these guys love the teaching part of the trip. A guy could learn a lot!

So, there's another possibility we have not yet discussed here. Some of the boats will sell that sponsored trip with free loaner gear to all the newbs. Not saying that's a bad thing, just that it might happen. Some of the best times I've ever had have been with newer or novice anglers. Especially the ones who watch and learn and become better anglers as the trip progresses.

[ebnash]

Shit, now I'm really pumped to get out there. I am all about learning on this trip. I am pretty intimidated with all the spectra, mono, flouro, surface iron, yo yo, flylining business. If nothing else, I would just be happy to feel like I learned some skills on this Seeker trip and maybe catch a few fish in the process.

[iconpyro]

Originally Posted by ebnash

Shit, now I'm really pumped to get out there. I am all about learning on this trip. I am pretty intimidated with all the spectra, mono, flouro, surface iron, yo yo, flylining business. If nothing else, I would just be happy to feel like I learned some skills on this Seeker trip and maybe catch a few fish in the process.

You'll learn a lot. I learned a crapload on my first 5 day... now I am signing up for my 12 day this year. Hopefully bring home a cow. Anyways just make sure you have a good time, be mindful and patient in the end its all about having fun fishing with a good group of people.

[GLAMISDUNEGOAT]

My first trip was a five day on the rooster. People thought i was crazy to go out for five days knowing ive only done half days in the past. The first day on the boat the capt. ( john G.) was giving a speach about what we are gunna be fishing and so on. Well at the end of his speach he asked if any one had any questions. I raised my hands and told him along with everyone else on the boat that this was my first ever trip. He replys with tellling me dont worry about a thing you are well takin care of and i was the whole trip. The crew helped me rig up and explained what size hooks and how it all works. Our first stop on the trip was the albie grounds and it was wide open. I was soo lost in the crazy ness but the crew and captian helped me through it all and i had best fishing in my life and learned soo much. The hardest part is making the step to get on the boat not knowing anything.. Just tell them your new and youll have a great time and the crew will make sure you catch some fish..