The Fib’ers second 2020 1.5 Day trip aboard the Fury was Tuesday, September 1st. We departed Dana Wharf Sportfishing around 10:00PM. There were 21 of us, plus crewmembers. The weather around the dock was nice, and not too windy. Because of the California Coronavirus lockdown regulations, all passengers and crewmembers were required to wear a coronavirus prevention face mask, and also bring their own bedding.
After departing the dock, Charter Master Bernie Clayton led the group in prayer, requesting the Lord guide us safely as we traveled, and that we would have enjoyable trip. Fury Crewmen Travis mentioned that we would be heading to the Tanner Bank to fish for Blue Fin Tuna. Travis indicated it would be about a 10 hour ride to our targeted fishing area, and that because of the smaller 3”-4” bait, he suggesting rigging up with smaller hooks, such as a #2.
The ride down to the Tanner Bank was fairly rough. We started looking for Blue Fin Tuna around 8:00AM. Captain Marcus metered a school of Blue Fin a couple times, and we stopped to fish the schools, but no one hooked up. On a stop around 10:30, Captain suggested catching some bottom fish, as there were a large volume metered. As we switched to bottom fishing set ups, everyone started catching various bottom fish such as Salmon Grouper, Whitefish, and Rockfish. Fib’ers Tom Handzus and Floyd Spangler hooked up simultaneously, and were the first to bring a fish aboard. Both brought up Salmon Grouper. Fib’er Nick Rocco brought up the first “double hookup”, two Salmon Grouper, each weighing approximately 2 lbs. Jr. Angler Kevin Waits, son of Fib’er Ed Waits, caught his first legal calico bass, about 2 lbs. Ed Waits caught a large sheepshead that weighed 5 lb 8oz. Dan Spangler brought up a 5 lb 14oz barracuda, which turned out to be the jackpot fish of the trip.
Since the Blue Fin we spotted weren’t biting, Captain Marcus gave us a choice to continue searching the Tanner Bank area for Blue Fin, and see if our luck changes, or offered to head North to San Clemente Island and try our luck there. After discussing that idea amongst ourselves, the Fib’ers agreed to head to San Clemente Island. Shortly after beginning our trek to San Clemente Island, Captain Marcus spotted a school of Blue Fin. We pulled up to the school, and tried our luck. This time, Rick Chalmers, fishing a sardine, hooked up, and brought in a 12 lb Blue Fin Tuna. Rick didn’t sign up for the jackpot, so even though his Blue Fin was the largest fish caught this trip, it wasn’t the jackpot fish. There were no other hookups, so we continued our drive to San Clemente. Again, Captain Marcus spotted school of Blue Fin, but this time there were no hookups, so we headed to San Clemente Island. After a 3 hour ride, we arrived at the backside of San Clemente Island, and tried our luck. It was very windy, with wind swells, making the fishing more difficult. A few Fib’ers caught bottom fish, but no more luck with Blue Fin.
As we finished fishing around 7:30PM, Crewman Travis was preparing a nice Ribeye Steak Dinner with asparagus, scalloped potatoes, rolls, and ice cream & cookies for desert. We ate in two dinner shifts, and then as everyone finished dinner, we headed to bed.
We arrived back at the dock at 3:45AM. Before departing the boat one of the crewman took our group picture. Although only one Blue Fin was caught, we all headed home with tasty bottom fish filets that we would enjoy eating.