lake superior Fishing Report 2025

13 bluefin tuna from 40 to 80 lbs and 2 yellowtail. Come prepared with a 25 lb setup for kelp fish and smaller tuna. A 40 or 50 lb setup for flylining sardines at the 60-80 lb tuna and a 60 or 80 lb setup for flatfalling. Fluorocarbon is a must as well as size 1 to 2/0 circle hooks. Come take advantage of this rare opportunity to catch a true trophy fish in local waters without trolling.

Tommy Rothery docked his Polaris Supreme at Fisherman's Landing August 22 after the season's best tuna trip to Guadalupe Island. There were 24 anglers aboard the first Dan Heil Memorial trip. "I felt like he was there with us," said son and chartermaster Ron Heil. "He would have really enjoyed this trip." Tuna fishing was excellent for the group, so much so that Rothery was able to give the spot up to Art Taylor and the Searcher. "We had plenty of tuna," said Tom, "all we needed. The sharks got some of them." Steve Patterson of Grants Pass won first place for a 103-pound yellowfin. "My best tuna ever," he said. Patterson used a sardine on a 4/0 ringed Gorilla hook tied to 40-pound P-Line and 65-pound Izorline Spectra backing, on an Avet LX reel and a Rogue Rod of seven feet. "He slaughtered me," added Patterson. "I couldn't get my new rod off the rail. He tore up the cork and the diamond wrap." Don Pieper of Arroyo Grande was second for a 72.6-pounder, and Buddy Bales of Spokane, WA won third place, for a 72.2-pound yellowfin tuna. The season's 12th wahoo from Guadalupe was included in the catch.

July 21
    I don't think anything abnormal happened today during our turn around.  Well, Sysco was late so we left for the fuel dock before that came aboard so, just another turn around day is what I'm trying to say.  We loaded the Paul Hess group, our Hess homies and we were out.  I think things went OK at the bait receivers.  We'll find out.  We fished this afternoon.  It's the year of departure fish days.  We scratched 16 nice grade tuna.  We're traveling now and I'm on watch.  It's almost 3:00 am on the 22nd and I believe we're in American waters.  I'm thinking about it and I don't think I've ever fished in American waters in the beginning of a 5 day trip which is what we're on.

    The weather this afternoon was rolly and choppy.  The weather now is pretty nice but I think it's supposed to be bad the next couple of days.  Windy, choppy, rolly oh my.

 

Capt Mike Pritchard from the Tribute called in an early morning report on behalf of Jay Kinsley making his maiden voyage and they are off to a great start. They have over 50 mixed tuna by 8:30am on board and some hanging and was very busy and could not talk long. We have trips with room in the future, to sign up go to www.seaforthsportfishing.com or you can call them at 619-224-3383 to reserve your. Most of the fish are within 1 day range of the landing. Congrats to Capt Jay as he is off to a great start, what a way to start your career as an operator.

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

Hi friends. We're still traveling down in decent weather, with plenty of sunshine to make for an enjoyable trek. Although, the travel days can be very monotonous, we always find something out of the ordinary to do to break up the boredom. Today was a unique day, even by our standards; and even after all of the sea time that passengers and crew members alike have accumulated over the decades, we still found ourselves in activities, scenery, and fishing that we don't experience everyday.

Now, I'm not trying to make roses out of you-know-what; we caught Yellowtail today. That's all. We didn't run into the first wave of Albacore or run up on a breezer of giant Bluefin tuna. Nope, we simply caught beautiful 18-22 lb. Yellowtail. Before I go any further - I am not bashing the Yellowtail fishery in any way shape or form. We had a great time doing it today and in all honesty, typing out words to explain the amount of fun we had for an hour would bore everyone half to death. What garners this report is simply the hour-long spectacle that was associated with our Yellowtail fishing. Having wide open fishing and not really trying to compete with other boats or boost our own egos is fun enough, trust me. Just good old fashioned yankin' and crankin' is what we did today but add in the sight of breaching Humpback Whales (two adults and one cute little calf, literally within casting distance) with the backdrop of one of the most beautiful destinations that we fish in one of the most isolated places in the Eastern Pacific was something I'll never forget. Like I said, it was Yellowtail fishing; but add in the group of gentlemen that we shared this experience with, it was hard not to just stop for a moment and take everything in. All in all, it was a super fun day.

I'm sorry for the lengthy report. I'm reading three books at the moment and one of them is 83 Neurobic exercises to increase mental fitness and it encourages you to do some off-the-wall stuff - things that you normally wouldn't do to keep your brain healthy. It's a fascinating read and I'm applying a lot of the little things that the book says to do. I'm sure that I'm driving the crew crazy with how stoked I am to do these things; from switching my watch to my other hand, to navigating my way around the wheelhouse with my eyes closed and let my senses other than sight guide me around (don't worry, I'm not driving), to putting different types of tape on the keyboard (don't ask) - it's all really interesting to me and it's keeping the travel days fresh and exciting. So, I apologize for this whacky report but I'm helping to keep my brain stimulated and hopefully yours too.

Anyhow, With this particular trip -- or any 17-day trip, for that matter -- there is always something new to do to keep us on our toes. From rigging up "Bruce" our new anchor (insert circus music here) to finding a good book to read to learning a new way to rig tackle or just enjoying the ride with some good friends, the entire experience of traveling down to our destination can be looked at in multiple ways - today was one of those good travel days and I felt like sharing it with everyone because we're pumped. Other than good weather and good food, I'll leave y'all with a few more clues as to what in the heck we're doing with our time. It involves: five grown men, a food processor, Yellowtail Milt, a deck brush, and a bait scoop. Stimulate your brains. We'll chat with you manana.

P.S. Devon, Alayna, and Lyall - I caught y'all a delicious Calico Bass today. I wanted to release it but mortality was imminent. I am deeply sorry. Scootch didn't even try to save it either so it's half his fault. Sorry.

8 Bluefin and 3 Bonito today for our group. The big one weighed in at 215 pounds gill and gutted (probably 240lbs) The fish was caught on a flatfall and 100 pound test.

Hey Anglers:

We have three trips that need passengers. Hoping to help the charter masters fill these.

The first trip is a one day that departs on July 16th. Fishing on the 17th. There are 4 spots open. Cost is $205. Limited to 20 passengers.

Please call Steve @ 619 417 3843

The next trip is a two day that departs July 24th (Tuesday night) fishing July 25th and 26th . cost of the trip is $450.00 and includes food and Mexican permits. Limited to 22 anglers. There are 8 spots open on this one.

Please call Mike @ Office 626-744-7168 or Cell -323-793-2106

The last one is a 2.5 day charter at the end of July. This is limited to 18 passengers. Trip departs on July 26th fishing on the 27th and 28th and returns on the morning of the 29th.

The cost is $625 + $100 for Mexican fishing permits, taxes and surcharges. Please call Pete to sign up for this one 714-651-9733.

Ryan Bostian called in with this report from the San Diego, "As it stands right now we are only 30 miles from home and we have 150 Yellowtail, 6 Bluefin tuna, and 6 or 7 Dorado. We've had good fishing here this morning. We offer these trips every single day. If you'd like to join us all Seaforth sportfishing at 619-224-3383."