gail frances 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."

A four-day trip with 24 anglers aboard Polaris Supreme and skippered by owner Tom Rothery returned to Fisherman's Landing July 9. Richard Bradshaw of Poulsbo, WA won first place for a 43-pound bluefin. He got that fish with a sardine on a 4/0 Mustad hook, 30-pound Maxima line on a Sealine 50 reel and one of the boat's rods. Jules Appelman of Albeuquerque was second for a 39.4-pound albacore, and Doug Dalme of Napa won third place for a 38.9-pound albacore tuna.

Capt Mike Pritchard from the Tribute letting us know they still have a few spots left on tonights 1.5 day trip departing out of Seaforth landing departing at 8pm. Looks like the weather will be great this weekend, there have been some yellowfin around we know where the Bluefin are and they should start biting at any given time. To get on this trip or to find out about future trips give the landing a call at 619-224-3383, we would love to see you on the water.

61 yellowfin tuna out of four stops.

Sep. 11

So here's the deal. We had a good finisher today. We started bright and early with coffee and stuff and then got on a school of those 30-40 plus pounders. It didn't stick longer then for us to get a couple handfuls. Then we had more coffee and stuff and then we had another school of those bf's that treated us the same. Then Shawn was ready to serve lunch but before Tommy could give the announcement we got on a school of 15-20 pounders that bit well for us. We didn't hang out long. We caught a couple rounds worth and then gave the school to our friends on another boat. Then we searched for another school of those bigguns but never found it before we were out of time. We did find another school of the 15-20's and finished our time on those. They were biting good. It was a lot of fun.

After that the crew enjoyed a boat scrub while the passengers enjoyed naps, movies, champagne, wine, cocktails, soda pop, and some relaxation with friends. A fantastic trip with a beautiful day on the weather side of things too. Sunny with not much wind. Nice. Thanks Robin and friends. Until next time. P.S. Its in range of our 2 dayer.

Ryan Bostian called in to give this report for the San Diego. "Today was our 1st Day at the Coronado Islands, after spending a month offsore. Today we went down to the Islands with 24 anglers and we're coming back to the dock with 32 Yellowtail. The Yellowtail we caught ran from 12 to 25 lbs. There are enough big ones in the mix to keep it interesting for sure. We caught fish on all 3 techniques today; flyline-sardine, surface iron and yo-yo lures. So if you are going fishing with us I'd bring three rods for the local Yellowtail fishing. Fly line sardine with a 25 or 30 lb. was probably the best way to get a bite. However, we did have plenty of fish on the lures.

"Com on down and see us, we leave the dock everyday at 5:30 AM. We'll be fishing these Yellowtail at the Coronado Islands as long as the fish are here. We saw some big beautiful schools today. Hopefully they stick around. We'll check back in again tomorrow.