westernport bay Fishing Report 2025

GREAT YELLOWTAIL FISHING!!! APOLLO went on an overnight trip with 23 anglers scored 58 Yellowtail. Check out their next open party trip. Call now for your reservation at Fisherman's Landing (619)221-8500

Our first stop of the day was a bit humbling as we went 10 out of probably 50+ on the 50-110 pound Bluefin (anything under 40 on these fish was too lite).

We ended the trip with 14 Bluefin and 41 Yellowfin (18-60 pounds) in great weather for our 27 Angler’s, we go again tonight.

The Ranta Charter started off fishing yellowfin tuna with a decent little score on school sized fish ranging from 10-20 pounds. Most of the fish were caught on the flylined sardine with 30 pound test and a 2/0 hook. We also had as handful of troll fish that came off of green and black zuker feathers. The next day we sought after some quality yellowtail between 20 and 30 pounds. Sadly, these fish didn't show like we hoped they would have. We saw a couple small schools of fish that came up and boiled in the chum, but nothing would stick with the boat. Fish were being caught on flylined sardine, yo-yo jigs, and everyone's favorite technique, the surface iron. We managed to pick away at some of these fish in the morning before calling it quits and moving on in search of a better bite. After hearing reports of the yellowfin bite picking up, We decided to make a run to the grounds to get in on the action. We arrived mid-morning with high expectations, as a couple other boats in the area had some big scores off big schools of yellowfin. It didn't take long for our dreams to turn to reality as a four way trolling hookup turned into a wide open bite. They were biting anything that was thrown in the water for a solid hour until most of the passengers had their fill pulling on these tuna, that averaged 15 pounds. We had a couple more stops for not as much success before pointing the boat towards something new. The last day of fishing was spent offshore looking for kelps, but dirty water and 20 mph winds made it hard kelp finding conditions/ However, we managed to pick up a few nice Dorado as well as a couple more yellowfin to add to our total. This was a great trip with some awesome people, a couple a which had their first experience out here fishing saltwater. A big thanks to Dan Ranta for putting this all together, we hope to see you all out here again sometime soon! Till next time, Team Supreme

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 slow day at the islands coupled with a great catch from our code boat Liberty has resulted in us switching our run back to offshore fishing. November is the new September, Viva El Niño

We had some good fishing on the yellows today around 12-18 pounds with some at 25 lbs. We released 100's of smaller ones.

There was plenty of action. The guys are having a great time. Our weather is ok not great, not bad. There is a little bit better sign of albacore. They are improving from what it has been recently. We will fish the yellowtail again tomorrow and save the last couple of days for tuna fishing. For dinner we had turkey breast with sausage bread stuffing and a sage wine sauce. So goodnight and wish us good luck for tomorrow!

Thanks! Tommy and crew

Capt. Ray went out today with 22 passengers. Final fish count for the day is. 1 calico bass 2 sheephead 7 red rock cod. 90 whitefish 110 rockfish. Tomorrows trip looks to have a light load. On January 1st we will shut down for our annual maintenance period.

Stopped on schools of bluefin all day today but we’re unable to get one to stick. We did however land this 140 pound beauty. Back out tomorrow.