Report by Jayson Quimby
Due to a couple of blustery days late in September, we had to reschedule our trip on the Fury to October 27th. 28 anglers boarded the boat on time and the tanks were filled with LARGE Sardines. Everyone huddled in the galley for prayer and a brief seminar from Captain Marcus. The plan was made to fish San Clemente Island for Yellowtail, with hopes that they would bite better than they had for the week leading up to our trip. We were very optimistic, but a back up plan was made to go rockfishing if the yellows didn’t bite. The ride out was one of the nicest I can remember, with a setting moon in the West guiding our way as we glided over glassy seas. We were even treated to a spectacle as dolphin playing in the bow’s wake were lit up with phosphorescence……That was beautiful!!
We woke up in the dark anchored up in Pyramid Cove on the backside of the east end of San Clemente Island. We moved to our first fishing spot around 7PM just outside of a spot called the Caves. Immediately we had 6-10 sealions off the stern and every bait came back with just the head attached to the hook. Since we didn’t go fishing to feed sealions, Captain Rick moved the boat further West, up the backside of the island several miles. At the next stop a few 10-12 pound Yellowtail were caught and a few earned their freedom. It wasn’t long before we were surrounded by sealions again, and the bite shut down, so Captain Rick moved further West, just below Lost Point, out in 120 feet of water. Almost immediately after setting the anchor, rods started to bend with the right kind and we were able to keep 1-3 Yellowtail going for the first 30 minutes or so. It wasn’t wide open, but nearly everyone got a bite from a Yellowtail and many were landed, but as it always is, there were definitely some casualties too! As the bite slowed to a trickle, Captain Rick said he wanted to give it 10 more minutes before pulling the anchor and moving to the frontside spot he saw a good volume of Yellowtail on a few days before. Suddenly Tom Handzus hooked into a big fish, and we all shook our heads and gave out a collective groan when Tom informed us he hooked the fish on 20 pound! The big fish dogged him, and Captain Rick thought that it might be a Bluefin Tuna. The fist took Tom into the Kelp and a tug of war began. Miraculously the fish eventually swam the right direction, and Tom had it straight up and down. In spite of our skepticism, Tom pulled and pulled on that 20# mono and finally got that 33pound slug Yellowtail to color. We saw that it was a giant, easily dwarfing any of the other fish that were landed. Thankfully the big fish was gaffed and placed safely onto the deck! It was worth the price of admission just to see the look on Tom’s face and he hoisted up his trophy for all of us to see!

We finished off the day on the frontside of the island where Captain Rick spotted a big school of tuna really close to the island, but they were on the move, and wanted nothing to do with us. After setting the anchor, we began to pick away at Yellowtail again. This time another 6-10 fish were caught and some were lost. At this spot, we also caught Calico Bass, Barracuda, and miscellaneous bottom grabbers. We fished here until about 2:30 and then Captain Rick pointed the Fury towards Dana Point for the 55 mile ride back to the harbor. Tom Handzus easily won the jackpot and most were treated to a nap on the way in. We thank God for another fun trip and for blessing us with the FIB’ers!