lake vermilion Fishing Report 2025

The tenth annual George Davis trip aboard the Polaris Supreme arrived at Fisherman's Landing December 5, after spending ten days in southern waters with a super ultra-light load of seven anglers, including chartermaster Davis. There were five tuna over 200 pounds in the catch. One fish was well over 300 pounds. The big fish came in at 347.8 pounds, caught by Kevin Stokes, who is studying video making and cinematography, working on his B. A. in digital video at Mt. Sierra College in Monrovia. The giant yellowfin bit a sardine on a 6/0 Mustad 7691 hook tied to 100-pound P-Line and 130-pound Spectra on one of the boat's rigs: a Tiagra 50 reel and a Calstar 6460 XXH rod. It fought for 35 minutes. "He didn't fight too hard," said Stokes. He just laid there like a big cow. I almost lost him at the end, because his circles went all the way across the stern. They got him with four gaffs and lifted him over the rail. "My best tuna before this one was 180 pounds. It fought harder. I may have this one mounted. Next, I've got to go back to work and to school." Stokes said he does freelance work in video. Eleven-year-old Gunnar Johnston outscored the men by taking two cows; two yellowfin over 200 pounds. One of his fish weighed 217.8 pounds and won second place. The other went 209 pounds. Gunnar goes to Marinotha Christian Academy, and races motocross. His dad Craig Johnston is a construction manager in Orange County and was close by when Gunnar hooked his big cow. "I was up the rail," said Craig, "and I saw him get bent, and I shouted, ‚Дтdon't let go of that rig,' and I saw him pull back harder." Gunnar got the fish to gaff in 45 minutes, after it bit a sardine on a 6/0 Super Mutu hook on 130-pound Izorline fluorocarbon leader tied to 100-pound Momoi line and 130-pound Line One Spectra. He used an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 6455 XXH rod. "It's my first long range trip," said Gunnar. "It's fun, hooking up and catching these big fish. Craig Johnston said his son had been on one and two-day trips before, but this was his first long range venture. "My best fish before was a 30-pound albacore or a dorado," said Gunnar. "I want to do it again." His dad felt the same way. "He was bit hard at first," said Craig, "but he did his work in the corner." Charlie Middleton of San Pablo took a 213-pounder and won third place. He said it bit a sardine on an 8/0 Gamakatsu hook tied to 100-pound Soft Steel Ultra line and 130-pound Power Pro Spectra on a Penn 80 SW reel and a five and a half-foot Ugly Stick rod. The fight lasted 20 minutes. "The best fishing was during the squalls," said Charlie. "That's when I hooked this one. He took me around the boat twice. There was a lot of 18-inch squid around."
Jim Jacobs of Murietta had never been fishing before. "I didn't know how to hold the pole," he said. Jacobs got a 202.6-pound tuna after a 40-minute scrap. It bit a sardine on an 8/0 Mustad 7691 hook, also on one of the boat's rigs. "My first trip," said Jacobs, "and my first fish."

Another one bites the dust ! 12 fish over 100 pounds 2 fish over 200 pounds and 23 school sized bluefin. @pennreels are what we use and trust, they have taken a huge part in our success when it comes to these fish. Thank you !!!!

TERRIFIC FISHING WITH CAPT JJ!!!!! APOLLO had 25 anglers on an overnite trip catch 7 White Seabass(up to 45 lbs),1 Yellowtail(25 lbs), 1 Halibut(18 lbs) & 230 Rockfish. They'll be going out again tonight. Call now for your reservation on their available trip at Sea Landing @ (805)963-3564

53 pass. 250 yellowtail on bait, surface iron and yo-yo. Trips are selling out fast. Grab your passport or passport card and call Seaforth at 619-224-3383.

A nice one!

~~Aug 17
 We figured it out.  The Cortes Bank isn't good right now for bait, or game fish.  Somebody had to be the guinea pigs.  Why not the boat full of fish already.  Check that off the list of places not to go for a while.  One thing I can say about that place is the weather there was fantastic.  Such a smooth ride around the area.  Not a common thing for that place.  If you aren't going to catch much you might as well do it in good weather.  But if you've been keeping up, we've had a great trip.  We're rolling in fat and happy.

 It sounds like they're having a tough time keeping good bait in the receivers as of late so we're going to get next to the harbor early morning and try and catch a tank of mackerel for our next trip leaving tomorrow.  4 days.  See you then.
     

Hello guys:

Ryan checking in here with the report for the past week. This past week was full of highs and lows. We fished for yellowtail at the Coronado islands all week and had some good days and some slow days. Finding fish was not the problem this past week. Finding fish that we could catch was a major problem. On both Thursday and Friday we landed 18 yellowtail both of these days we had yellowtail around our boat all day long. The way the yellowtail have been behaving lately we could catch 20 fish in 20 minutes or we could catch 0 in 15 hours. It's all about timing and a little luck never hurts either.

On Friday as we left the islands to head for home I got a call from our association president. Our president informed me that he had just received a letter from the Mexican port authority. This letter stated that any vessel that wishes to fish inside of Mexican territorial waters (24 miles from shore) must first check in at the port of Ensenada. This news was a bombshell to the boats that fish the Mexican coast. Our president has informed us that every U.S. government agency we know is working on this issue and hopes to get it resolved soon.

In the meantime our options on the San Diego are (1) fish in U.S. waters (2) fish in Mexico outside of 24 miles for yellowtail , tuna and dorado. We have decided to fish offshore.

Yesterday was our first trip offshore, we caught 5 bluefin tuna. All offshore trips will be limited to 50 passengers. I will keep you guys posted on any news I get concerning the Coronado islands.

Yesterday we hit the wahoo in the morning and had a steady tuna all day on 45 to 75 pounders. Weather was still great. This morning we are heading up offshore to the albacore. Weather is ok. Not a bad ride up so far. Chef Tommy kicked butt again yesterday with a seafood pasta for lunch (lobster, scallop, shrimp and crab) and for dinner we had the classic steaks and baked potatoes. Very good. Passengers are all having a ball. Crew too. It's been a very good trip.