Junior’s FishingTrip
June 22, 2018
Our first Junior trip of the year was magnificent. We left the dock at 12:15 with 34 excited kids and dads anglers. The Sum Fun had bait on board so we headed directly for the fishing grounds under a slightly overcast sky and with a 5 to 6 knot breeze. Upon arriving at our first stop, the kelp beds off the Montage, we found the fish very cooperative. All who put lines in the water were rewarded with a bite. Sarai Simmons caught the first calico bass, and it was legal! Throughout the afternoon we caught and released one undersized white seabass and three or four small yellow tail. Later in the afternoon the pesky sea lions showed up and our instant bites became few and far between. We moved south to Dana to try to ditch the pesky sea lions. A slightly stronger sea breeze counter to the current also added to our difficulties of catching fish. We moved a little farther north to try again. The slow fishing did not seem to diminish the fun. The kids enjoyed hamburgers, chips, hot dogs, soft drinks, and other snacks. As we headed for the dock and began weighing fish, it was determined that Stella Navarro had caught the biggest fish, a yellowtail at 1.75 pounds. Ariana Lopez was girl-winner for Calico Bass weighing in at 1.5 pounds, and Joe Cameron was the boy with the biggest calico at 1.69 pounds.
As we docked the Sum Fun there were many smiles and “Thank You’s” to the FIB’bers for providing a very fun afternoon of fishing and being on the ocean. We want give a special “Thank You” to John Olson for his patience in assisting many novice fishermen. We also want to thank the crew of the Sum Fun for their hard work and Capt. Rollo’s Kids for their financial assistance in the cost of our Junior trips.

Report by Ken Kunkle
Junior Trip July 28, 2017
We had a great fishing trip on the Clemente out of Dana Point with plenty of room to fish and a very helpful crew and Captain . The sea was calm with overcast skies and a slight breeze all afternoon. We had great bait, small anchovies, which allowed us to catch a wide variety of fish: sand bass, calico bass, mackerel, sculpin and one Garibaldi which was released. We had a steady bite going all day. Anyone with a line in the water caught a fish immediately. If I were to WAG how many fish were caught, I’d say at least 200, but only about 15 keeper bass and a few perch were kept. The adults were great with their kids. We had fisher people ranging in age from toddlers to young teenagers. I’m not sure who had the best time; the kids fishing or the dads, moms, and grandparents watching their children catching fish. The largest fish was caught by Max Roberts, a 3.0 pound Calico bass. Collin Hoff caught a 2.4 pound calico also. The galley was also enjoyed by all.
Fib’ers wants to extend a special THANKS to the Friends of Rollo for assisting us with the expense of the trip. Special thanks also needs to be given to John Olsen for donating a bass rod for a raffle won by little Colton Wells, and for helping with the kids along with Paula Kunkel.

FIB’ers 1st Junior Trip 2017-
Well it’s that time of year again, kids are out school, and summer is in full swing. It’s time once again for our first Junior FIB’ers trip of the year. We made some awesome changes to the trip this year, namely a change of venue, we are now charterering out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing, and day of the week. We thought that moving out Juniors trips to Fridays would help alleviate the scheduling problems and it did!
We had a full boat for our first outing, Chaperones and a few FIB’er volunteers created an amazing experience for all the kids onboard. We boarded The Sum Fun with a top knoth crew captained by Shane Manuer and we were off on time with a tank full on 7-8” sardines. We all hope for cured ‘chovies for trips like this, but were determined to scratch out a bite for the kids.
To my surprise we headed North out of the harbor, and steamed to a spot right on the beach where the crew assured us they had left the Calico’s biting the day before. We baited most of the kids up with strips of squid, assuming that would fare better than trying to force feed the Calicos large Sadrines, and we started to pluck away and small bass with some nice legals mixed in as well.
Some of the more experienced kids decides to tie on jigs , and were landing a better grade of fish that way, then Ron Wither’s just for kids flylined a hearty ‘Dine off the starbord coner of the stern towards the beach and went bent right as the bait hit the water. Soon, Dad’s chaperones, and kids alike were flylining baits and hooking and handing fish with a steady hookup ratio of about 2:1 every bait that didn’t connect at least got raked up. This brought the best quality of Calico bass for our morning half day of fishing. As we headed back to the barn it was all smiles on a every Junior’s face. We cannot thank the generous giving of out member’s and organiziations like Friends of Rollo enough for supporting us in our efforts to give this next generation a love for catching fish and being on the water.

May have been the best trjip ever for the Jrs. The group left on time, as usual. Captain Phil was at the helm and Jason was on deck and in the galley of the Aggressor. We headed out of the harbor to meet the bait boat. As the crew loaded bait we had our greeting and introductions and basic boat rules. While at the the bait boat we saw the Western Pride catch a few small Yellowtail. After getting bait we headed up the coast to the “pipe” out in front of Huntington Beach. As we got the anchor down the bass started to show themselves and game was afoot. the Jrs started to bring one calico bass after another over the rail. Although most were of the short variety, there were more than enough keepers caught. This was one stop fishing, we did not have to move the boat once. The big fish for the trip was caught by Blake Richter, a 24lb 2oz Yellowtail. Yes a big Yellowtail! He also landing another tail. The big calico bass was landed by Mathew Withers, it was 5lb 3oz. Not too bad for a half day trip. Did I mention that he and uncle Ron lost a bigger bass at boat side, maybe 7lbs. This is not just a fish story it was witnessed by the charter master. It was a trip to be remembered!

The Fibers Jrs continued the tradition of having their adult fishing partner at the dock on time. We boarded the Agressor and left the dock by 6:01. Captain Phil was at the helm, with Captain Paul in the galley and Nick on the deck. Nick was a great help in rigging up the rods and reels. On the way out to the bait receiver we had opening instructions and prayer. The bait was a variety of small and large sardines. The boat headed up the coast towards the pipe at Huntington Beach. The first stop was really slow and hard to anchor the boat over the “SPOT”. We caught few fish and then moved down the beach. Again we had a hard time getting the hook down. After a while we again moved. This time we found the ‘SPOT’, Calicos started to boil around the boat. We could see clouds of Calicos around the boat. All the Jrs got to pull on fish. Lots of almost legal bass. Benjamin got bit, ripped and rocked in one breath, my bet a Yellowtail. Big fish for he trip was a 4 lb 13oz Sheephead. Other catch leaders for the year are Jessica with 2lb 3oz Calico and Jack C with a 1lb 13oz sand bass. On the way in fish were cleaned by Nick and burgers from Paul were a big hit. As we came into the harbor we took are group picture on the stern and had are closing prayer. A good time was had by all. Thanks again to the crew of the Agressor and Newport Landing for their support of the Fibers and Friends of Rollo.
God Bless,
Floyd for the Fibers

Report by Floyd Spangler
Everyone was on time, the jr’s did a great job of getting the adults there on time. The Nautilus left the dock right at 6:00. We had a meeting in the galley as we motored out to the bait barge. The first order of business was the usual safety and boat talk. Then, a first for the jrs., We had a birthday party, not for one, but three people, with cup cakes for all. After we sang happy birthday, we got to eat cupcakes. Next, the boat loaded a fine bunch of pinhead anchovies. The boat then headed up the coast. We were looking for half-day tuna, i.e. bonita. We found a small school and the jrs enjoyed catching “tuna”. We spent the rest of the time fishing for small bass and other bottom grabbers. We had our raffle and closing prayer on the way in. A big thanks to the crew and captains at Newport Landing. May God continue to bless the Fibers.

It was a gooden. The Jrs got their olders there on time. Good job Jrs. We left the dock 6:01 am. Cruised the harbor on the way to the bait receiver. The club was on the Nautilus for this trip. Captain Paul was in the wheelhouse and Jason on deck and Mike in the galley. The bait for day was pinhead anchovies and squid. A good combination. We had our greeting and prayer as we were loading bait. Captain Paul suggested heading up the coast to look for bass. On the way up the coast the breakfast burritos were as tasty as ever The boat made its way up to an area off Bolsa Chica. We anchored over a rocky bottom area. There were only a few biters here, but they tuned out to be the big fish for the day. After a slow pick, we moved down to the pipe off H.B. The calico bass really turned on. We could see them boiling on the anchovies bait. All the Jrs had a chance to pull on a number of fish. Most of the fish were about 12-13.5 inches. But on light gear, they were a lot of fun. A few short barries were hooked and released. The next move was to a group of stones about 200 yards above the Newport jetty. Captain Paul said he had never seen the stones bite so well. As we entered the harbor we had our traditional raffle. A good time was had by all. The big fish for the day were a 3lb 2oz calico caught by Logan Shill, a 2lb 5oz sand bass caught by Andrew Soderberg and Joe Cameron with a 1lb 3oz rock fish. Thanks dads and sponsors for getting the Jrs out fishing. May God continue to bless the club.
Report by Floyd Spangler