Trip Log 7/19: Long Run Bluefin

Long Runs + Epic Bites + First Fish + Nonstop Laughs

Decisions. Decisions. I don’t know about you all but I have a healthy love-hate relationship with pregame planning prior to a trip. Studying the FishDope temp charts and pinging buddies for intel. Make a long run (80+ miles) to solid volume of bigger grade fish? Or run the other direction, to much closer, of mixed-grade fish? I poised the question to the boys and the answer was easy. Make the run & shoot for the larger models.

We blew through the local hotspots and to our surprise they were shockingly dry. A few birds but no real signal of fish in the area (despite gorgeous blue 71-72 degree water). One noteworthy find was a pack of 2-3 Marlin I spotted tailing in the bynos. We rigged up and pointed their direction, but unfortunately I lost them in the process. Onward and upward.

We arrived to the zone and almost immediately started marking fish.

With PERFECT kite flying conditions, we assembled the kite + inflated the balloon + deployed the California Flyer as I worked on rigging a frozen flying fish. I bumped the boat in gear and as soon as we begin to slow walk the California Flyer through the zone. Boom! Insta-bit! Chris went to work on his first bluefin tuna!

We were on the board and honestly, it couldn’t have gone smoother. It’s always nice when you have a solid group of dudes who want to fish hard but also just happy to be out there. And one of my favorite parts of fishing is “first fish”. They are always special. Which was made better seeing how truly stoked and grateful Chris was for this beautiful Pacific Bluefin.

Now it was Garrett’s turn! Rinse and repeat the process – we were bit again!

After our first 2 fish came in short order things slowed a bit. Still plenty of signal of fish and after making a slight move to the northwest, we mixed up the strategy. We opted to sit and long drift a flyer off the side. Fish shinning in the swells + rolling nearby but no takers and with the long run home we opted to pick up & run. So we set sail with a stunning sunset to our backs. But our day wasn’t quite over……a bonus sundowner foamer fish was on tap. Garrett casted directly in and while burning the jig back hooked up. What a day indeed!!

The lucky (keyword) streak continues and was incredibly stoked to share this with 2 quality, and fishy humans!