crater lake Fishing Report 2024

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."

Tom Rothery docked his Polaris Supreme September 28 following the 10th annual Jeffery Hall charter. He tied up at Fisherman's Landing and weighed the top fish from the five-day trip with 22 anglers. Dick Langlois of Rancho Cucamonga won first place for a 69-pound tuna from Guadalupe Island. He said the fish bit on a sardine and a 4/0 Mustad hook. He used 50-pound Ande line, a TLD 20 reel and a Calstar 765 L rod. "I got him in 15 minutes," said Dick setting up for the punch line. "It was 90 percent skill." Dick's son Tom Langlois of Rancho Cucamonga was second, for a 57-pound tuna, and Kalob Hall of Victorville won third place, for a 45-pound yellowfin tuna.

Jodie called in with this report for the Apollo. "We have an Open Party 2 Day Trip for July 4th & 5th. We will be leaving from Fisherman's Landing on July 3rd at 10:00 0'clock. We will be targeting Bluefin Tuna. They are starting to bite at 125 miles. If you'd like more information or want to make a reservation 619-221-8500."

Hello everyone, Today we spent our day off shore looking for Wahoo and Dorado. Again another day of tough fishing, but we did manage to put some nice Dorado and a few Wahoo on the boat. Not the mother load bounty we were looking for but for sure some beautiful fish. We are hoping that tomorrow will be the day! Wish us luck! Team Supreme

Today was greatly disappointing after such a great fishing yesterday. Our efforts for better quality fish did not pay off. We saw great signs of 80-100 lb. fish but they just didn't want to cooperate. They would boil up good and look promising, but we only got a handful of fish. We are going to leave this place and give it time to straighten out. We are going to look for a new area. Our weather is still absolutely premium. Warm, hot and balmy. Thanks for checking in.

21 pass. Full Mexican Limits of yellowtail and a few red rockcod. Yo yo jigs on 40 lb mono, surface iron on 40 lb mono and flyline bait on 20 or 25 lb. we’re all producing.

Excellent, excellent fishing on 70-170 lb tuna until about 1pm. Most all of the fish were released. We looked hard late in the afternoon, but a front came up and the weather got rough. One more day for us, wish us luck.

The Apollo is running a open party 1 day trip on the 31st!! Berkley will be on the boat with giveaways! Ticket cost is $145, we will be targeting white seabass, big sheepshead, lingcod etc... Contact sea landing for reservations