Around 7:00PM Wednesday, August 9, 2023 Fib’er Members and their guests departed Seaforth Landing aboard the Cortez, for a day and one-half of fishing. There were 19 of us, plus crewmembers. The weather around the dock was calm, and not windy. It was a nice, fairly clear night.
After departing the dock, Cortez Captain Jim Hughes held a meeting in the galley, explaining the boat safety and emergency procedures. Captain Jim mentioned we would be heading to San Clemente Island. Our primary target fish would be Bluefin Tuna. We would also target Yellowtail and Dorado. The bait acquired was medium-size sardines. Captain Jim suggested initially setting up our fishing rigs with 2/o or 3/o hooks, and suggested a dropper loop, or alternate 6-10 oz. weight set up, as we would initially start fishing for deep metered blue fin tuna prior to dawn. He said we would later be surface fishing hoping to spot or meter Bluefin Tuna. We would also be kelp paddy fishing, and probably do some trolling. Trolling would be on a rotating basis, rotating four trollers every 30 minutes. After Captain Jim finished his seminar, Charter Master Bernie Clayton led the group in prayer, thanking the Lord for the opportunity to fish together and fellowship, also petitioning the Lord to guide us safely as we traveled, and that we would have enjoyable trip, and catch fish!
The ride down to the targeted fishing area was nice and smooth. There was very little wind, and a very minor swell. We started fishing in the dark, around 4:00AM. Captain Jim said the fish were being metered between 240 – 290 feet. No hook ups initially, so around 5:00AM we started looking for another fishing spot. We stopped about 5:45AM, and dropped our set ups down again, this time around 200 – 240 feet. Around 6:30AM, Fib’er Rob Whittaker had the first hook up. It was a bigger fish, and after a short fight, the fish snapped Rob’s 40lb test. Shortly after that Tom Hinmon hooked up, and landed the first fish of the trip, a nice Bluefin Tuna weighing approximately 35 lbs. Ron Withers decked the second fish, another nice similar size Bluefin Tuna. As things calmed down, the Captain decided to move on, looking for surface Bluefin. We were still on the backside of San Clemente Island. It was about 9:45AM when another school of Bluefin were spotted. Captain said this was a good volume of Bluefin. Crewman Chris started to chum. Bluefin started to boil on the chum! All of the sudden there were multiple hookups! Chaos and excitement ensued, but Fib’ers did an excellent job following their fish. A few crossed lines occurred, but the crew quickly were there to untangle crossed lines. We fished this school of Bluefin for about 90 minutes. I looked at my watch as the Captain got ready to move on, and it was 11:15AM. That was a very good stop. A good number of Bluefin Tuna were caught. Ranging from 25 – 60 lbs. Tom Hinmon and Larry Swift each caught a Yellowfin Tuna. Tom’s weighed 25 lbs, and Larry’s was slightly smaller, approximately 24lbs. Floyd Spangler’s Bluefin Tuna looked to be the biggest fish caught so far.
After moving a short distance, about 15 minutes later, another school of Bluefin were metered. Crewman Chris started to chum, and again the Bluefin started to boil on the chum. Captain said this was another good volume of Bluefin. Again, there were multiple hookups! Again, chaos and excitement ensued! The crew were untangling crossed lines. Even the Captain got into the action, and was guiding Fib’ers “over and under” lines. Captain Jim even jumped up on the bait tank, and continued chumming while the crewmen gaffed fish. The fishing was so good Captain Jim shouted out “everyone should be hooked up, if you’re not hooked up, change your bait”! We continued drifting, and fishing that school for almost 90 minutes. When we stopped fishing, Bluefin Tuna were scattered all over the deck, and Bluefin blood was everywhere. The Bluefin caught were similar in size as those caught on the earlier stop. Ed Waites decked a good-size Bluefin, and it looked like it would rival Floyd Spangler’s for the biggest fish.
It was slightly after 1:00PM, and after the crew hosed down the decks, we checked the fish count. We caught limits of Bluefin Tuna – 38 for 19 Fib’ers, and 2 Yellowfin Tuna. Captain came over the loudspeaker, and mentioned that we would begin heading South in search of Yellowtail and Dorado, as we had caught our limit of Bluefin Tuna.
We trolled and kept searching for fish, until around 4:45 where we neared a small kelp patty and a medium-sized Yellowtail was caught on the troll. As we stopped, Dan Shultis hooked up and decked a medium-sized Yellowtail (12.5 lbs.). No other fish were caught, so the Captain started moving again. About 30 minutes later we came upon another small kelp patty. A medium-sized Yellowtail was caught on the troll. The first and only Dorado was also hooked and decked. It was a very unusual Dorado catch, as the Dorado was hooked by Bernie Clayton, Dan Shultis, and Ed Waites. The 10lb Dorado swallowed Bernie’s bait & hook, was corner jaw hooked by Dan Shultis, and roof of the mouth hooked by Ed Waites. All three of the Fib’ers had been fishing next to each other on the port side, near the stern. No other fish were caught at that stop, so the Captain again moved on, in search of Yellowtail or Dorado. Captain kept trolling, but no more action occurred. Around 8:00PM, as it started to get dark, Captain Jim said we had to head for the dock.
Our final trip fish count was 38 Bluefin Tuna (limits), 2 Yellowfin Tuna, 3 Yellowtail, and 1 Dorado. Ed Waites caught the largest fish, and won the trip Jackpot with his 61.1lb Bluefin Tuna. Floyd Spangler was a close second place with his 60.5 lb. Bluefin Tuna. Tom Hinmon caught the largest Yellowfin Tuna, a 25lb’er. Dan Shultis caught the largest Yellowtail, a 12.5 lb’er. Dan Shultis, Ed Waites, and Bernie Clayton caught the only Dorado of the trip, and it weighed 10lbs.
We arrived back at the dock at 5:30AM. Before departing the boat, Crewman Noe took our group picture.
We had an excellent trip. Great fellowship, great fishing, great weather, great food, and a great Captain and crew.
Tom Hinmon caught the first fish!
Ron Withers caught the 2nd fish!
Dan Shultis landed the biggest Yellowtail.
Ed Waits won the jackpot with this 61.1# Bluefin Tuna!
Rob Whitaker landed these two nice Bluefin Tuna!
Dan Shultis, Ed Waites and Bernie Clayton landed the ONLY Dorado.
This little guy was hooked by all three anglers! AMAZING!
