patagonia Fishing Report 2024

The last couple of days we have experienced some fun Coronado Island fishing for yellowtail, bluefin tuna, calico bass and barracuda on private charters. As a result we have switched our open party trips to Island trips. These trips will unfortunately require a passport and will begin on Monday. The best setups have been a 20 or 25 lb flyline setup and a 30-40 lb setup to fish a yo-yo lure or dropper loop. Plenty of targets for all you jig chuckers as well. The cost of this trip is $225 which includes your Mexican Fishing License, your FMM visitors visa, your biosphere reserve bracelet, plenty of live bait and 5 seasoned crewmen. Rental rods, fish cleaning and food will be extra. We have a full galley onboard with plenty of ice cold beer, soda and water. We also offer delicious burgers and all your basic breakfast items. The first 34 passengers to make resos at 619-224-3383 are in.

Oct. 8

We all slept in today as it was our first day off from fishing in a week. We had a later breakfast of pork chop, bacon, eggs and hash browns. After that we broke down and cleaned all of our big tuna gear and put away the harnesses and the terminal tackle and things. Then the crew scrubbed the boat to a nice shiny color while the passengers watched a movie or two. Then we ate cheeseburgers and they were great. And after that it was nap time. So we're all rested and we have a clean boat. We still have a little bit of live sardine left over and some time to use them so we'll be rolling by some fishable waters the next few days and if we see something we'll be able to stop and give it a try whether it be wahoo the next couple of days or bluefin the day before we get back to San Diego. The weather today was as good as you could ever ask for. Flat calm seas and the sun was shining. Lovely. Dinner was wahoo enchiladas and that's all we have to report.

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Many of you know Captain Ray Montera who has been involved in sportfishing most of his life. In March, his 32 year old Chris son was severely injured in a C4 blast in Afghanistan. We are holding a fundraiser on October 8th at the Bali Hai on Shelter Island. He is one of our own and we are rallying to support him.

As an Army soldier, Chris Montera was often taken aback when people would thank him for doing the job he loved. On a fateful day in March, he came to face the sacrifice. He was on a dismounted mission and was hit with explosion of C4, which literally blasted and propelled him into a grape field. He suffered major issues with blast lung and severe burns over much of his body. For 9 days he was on ECMO (lung bypass) until he was stable enough to be transported to BAMC in San Antonio for the treatment of his shrapnel wounds and third degree burns. On April 2 a fungal infection set into the wounds on his lower extremities and Chris underwent bilateral AK amputation of his legs. He was further diagnosed with an incomplete spinal cord injury in the thoracic area of the spine at VA Polytrauma Center in Palo Alto.

Through all of this, Chris remains focused and committed to rehabilitation. It is estimated that he will remain in Palo Alto for 3-6 months while he works to regain his upper body strength, which will be necessary for the next stages of rehab in the C5 program at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego where he will be fitted with prosthetic legs and with determination will learn to walk again. There is no doubt in our minds that Chris will recover to live an independent life. The goal of this fundraiser is to be able to assist Chris with expenses he will no doubt encounter on his journey to independence.

The event will be held at the Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island On October 8th from 6:00-10:00 pm. There will be food stations serving food from many San Diego restaurants along with a no host bar. A raffle, live, and silent auction will take place during the event along with live entertainment by Mango Bay and World Famous Jim Gibson. The outpouring of support of raffle and auction donations from the sportfishing community, tackle, fishing supply manufacturers, and local businesses has been phenomenal. The evening will be great fun for all and will serve to help a young man who put it all on the line.

There are several ways you can help:
First and most important is attend the event.

Tickets are $50 in advance or $450 for a block of 10

Advance ticket purchases will include 3 raffle tickets and assorted swag

Cannot attend but would like to help, make a cash donation in any amount.

Donate an item for the raffle or auction. Anything from fishing items, art, gift certificates, clothing...anything is greatly appreciated.


We look forward to having you at the event. The sport fishing community has come together to take care of a wounded warrior of their own, and it promises to be a fun filled evening for all.

To purchase tickets for Island Nights at the Bali Hai, please visit our website at http://christophermonterasupport.com/island-nights-at-the-bali-hai

To donate items for our raffle/auction please visit our website and complete the donor form http://christophermonterasupport.com/sponsors-anddonors-supporters/donor-form

The San Diego out of Seaforth Landing in San Diego,CA checked in with us today:

30 yellowtail. Yellowtail or bust was the name of the game. Enough fish around to get a big hit just waiting on the stars to align. All techniques are producing, we recommend fishing your strength.

The San Diego out of Seaforth Landing in San Diego,CA checked in with us today:

39 yellowtail 1 halibut 75 whitefish 8 sculpin.

The day started in the dark with some great fishing on quality yellowtail. After daybreak we still had good fishing on the school grade yellowtail with an 18 lb. average until noontime. And then the afternoon took a powder and we couldn't find anything to catch. The weather offshore is rough but we are hiding behind an island and are in good weather. Dinner was a tasty Cornish game hen, fresh veggies, wild rice and a really good hot brownie pudding cake. Thanks for checking in. Tommy and crew

The season's fourth 300-pound tuna arrived November 29 aboard Polaris Supreme with owner-skipper Tom Rothery at the helm as the 90-footer docked at Fisherman's Landing. The trip was 13 days for the boat and ten for the anglers who flew home from Cabo, and was sponsored by Rothery's partner Tom Pfleger, who heads PIER (Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research). A small group of 14 anglers including Pfleger was aboard.

We arrived today with a fantastic catch of Albacore, Blue fin and Yellowtail. Jackpot was a 42.4 lb. albacore with second and third both at 40 lbs. It was a great group and we look forward to having you all back again next year. Drew will be departing today on a 3-day. Prospects look good. Thanks, Tommy and crew