2 day vs 3 day trips

Garrettc8 · Jun-20-2007, 01:46 AM

Is it worth the extra day of fishing at he same area in the 2-3 day range? What are you guys' take on 2 day vs 3 day? $400 for 2day vs $600 for 3day.

Ideally, i would do a 5 day, but doesn't look like it'll happen this year.

Thanks.

AzFish · Jun-20-2007, 06:37 AM

I do alot of 2 dayer's & I really like them. I also do the 2.5 dayer's and they are great because you get 2 solid days of fishing, and sleep through the trip back in, wake up and you are at the dock.

T-Bro · Jun-20-2007, 09:31 AM

Garrett,

2 and 3 day trips fish primarily the same areas, depending on where the fish are. My experience is that you will likely be on the outer banks 110-150 miles from San Diego on these trips, unless the fish are west, when you might fish SCI or the Cortez or Tanner Banks (not very often).

The main difference is the amount of time you will have to fish. With a three day, you get another night on the water which is cool IMHO and you have the ability to widen the window of being there for a killer bite.

I am doing a 3 day in late August and it runs almost $850, so your choice should also depend on what boat you are on. If you are a bargain boat, you might not want another night of sketchy food and no AC. I understand that you are young and money might be tight, but look at the better choices for boats for this length trip (Vagabond, Searcher, Islander). They are more akin to real long range boats and not just day boats looking to extend their trips.

A few years ago, I got talked into a 2 day charter on the Fury out of Dana Point. It was cheaper than our usual trips, but we spent two days at the kelp forests on SCI. Big calicos alright, but that got old after half a day. The food was more burgers and fried egg sandwiches than what you get on better boats and the boat had no AC! In the August, we sweltered in the bunkroom, sleeping and sweating in just boxers. The boat was old....In fact, it was pointed out by my buddy that it was the same boat we went on when I was in a "gifted" class on a field trip to learn about the ocean in the mid '70s. I remember that it was old then.

Enough horror stories. My point is that you can go and catch fish on any of the boats in SD. You also can probably go without a shower for two days and eat greasy food and still have a blast. However, if the fishing sucks, it is much nicer to have a comfortable boat to relax on and try to enjoy being on the ocean. If the boat is not a distraction, I would suggest spending the extra money and getting the extra time on the water. Remember, you will spend as much time gearing up for and cleaning up after the trip for a 3 day as you will a 2 day, so go for the extra day.

I am also a believer that a real LR trip starts at the 5 day length. The first time I stepped up to a 5 day was in August '98 on the Royal Polaris. We had scratchy fishing for yellowfin at Guadalupe and had wide open stops for albacore on the way back, one of which turned into a 1.5 hour stop on big bluefin. Caught a few yellowtail and a few dodos to round out an unbelievable trip. This was my first exposure to Spectra backing, kite fishing, truly talented crews, good food on a fishing boat, and "legend" skippers like Rollo and Frank. It got me hooked and has now led to Alijos, Revillas, and the Hurricane Bank.

Start saving money every month and you should be able to afford it. Lets say you book a 5 day for next summer, which is about the lead time you need to get on a good boat. Save $150 a month and you should have enough to pay for the trip.

Good luck!

T-Bro

recurveman · Jun-20-2007, 09:42 AM

Personally I like trips that are 1.5, 2.5 days in duration. I like to be able to fish the entire day and end back at the dock after a good nights sleep. I hate the chug back during the day.

2 or 3 day?????? I would go three day in a heart beat. Think of it like this. On a 2 day you get 1.5 days of fishing. On a 3 day you get 2.5 days of fishing. You almost double your fishing for 200$. It is the better value in my opinion and gives you a much better chance of being there for a killer bite and catching a ton of fish. It also gives you an extra day of "limits" if there is a killer bite on albie or tails.

I'm also a big fan of the nicer boats. I've been on really bad boats for just an overnight. I have to say I couldn't get off fast enough. Then I've been on nicer boats for 2 days+ and was sad be be leaving and almost felt refreshed.

Good luck on your trip.

Chad

Garrettc8 · Jun-20-2007, 11:27 AM

Todd and Chad, thanks for your inputs. Todd, I gotta agree with you, i'm not looking for a budget boat. I am thinking about jumping on the First String again. It turned out to be a very nice trip last year i had on a 2dayer in August. The boat and crew were absolutely fun to fish with.

Thanks fellas!

Lend-a-Fish · Jun-20-2007, 12:17 PM

2 day trip you can take 2 days limits, 3 days you can take 3 days limits.

You can also consider two 1.5 day trips. If the fish are 80 miles or so you can whack them all day and then head in at night and get back in the morning. Lots of times your wiped out after the first day so if you take a 1.5 day and get r done, then you can take another 1.5 day a week or two later.

Just another option.

Also, consider the option of doing that 5 day. Totally different vibe. More of a trip than an outing. Lots of fun having enjoyable quality meals with the guys and you actually talk to everyone on the boat at some time. Also the chance at bigger fish and more fishing time. Enjoy the luxury of a long range boat.

MacAttack · Jun-20-2007, 12:28 PM

What Chad and Jason said. Except that any more than three days makes me start asking the cook where he keeps the ice pick, as there's ALWAYS some loud/drunk asshole that's trying to tell me (for the tenth time) about the world record tuna he caught back in 81' and following me around the boat - on the 4th day out!

**Smudge** · Jun-20-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacAttack

What Chad and Jason said. Except that any more than three days makes me start asking the cook where he keeps the ice pick, as there's ALWAYS some loud/drunk asshole that's trying to tell me (for the tenth time) about the world record tuna he caught back in 81' and following me around the boat - on the 4th day out!

So basically you're saying you attract assholes no matter where you go huh Mac?