irvine lake Fishing Report 2024

We stopped the boat once today and didn’t move until it was time to go home. We ended up with 123 yellowfin 53 bluefin. Live bait has been best but we had our fair share of bites on the Shimano colt sniper. 100 gram was the best size.

39 yellowfin 69 skipjack. If we get into a hot and heavy stop it is important to work together as a team. The crew and captain are the coaches, the passengers are the players. Communicate with each other. Anticipate that you will be moving around the boat, whether you have a fish on or not. Be aware that you are not the only person on the boat. Listen to the crew. And most importantly have fun. Team work makes the dream work.

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."

Capt Mike Pritchard called in late last night with a report from the Tribute, they had absolutely fantastic Bluefin Tuna fishing they have seen. They ended with 72 Bluefin Tuna up to the Mid 30 lb range, we also got some Yellowtail and Bonito to round it out. We have added another trip departing Wednesday night at 10pm, to get in on this trip call Seaforth Landing at 619-224-3383 or you can go to www.seaforthsportfishing.com. The 2 fish limit for Bluefin has not gone into effect yet, so we can still keep 10 Bluefin per angler in US waters. Give us call and get in on this fantastic Tuna fishing while you can.

We had a slow morning here at the Ridge, but the afternoon provided us with a good bite on the yellowtail up to 30 lbs. The weather is still absolutely beautiful. Those of you that know me, know I never eat breakfast, but I thought I would check it out as I am always reporting on the lunch and dinners. Well breakfast today was a stack of buttermilk pancakes, slab of honey cooked bacon and eggs cooked to your order. I still didn't eat, but the guys all said it was delicious. We have a couple more days here to fish and then we are in on Sunday and departing on South Bay Fish and Tackle's 6-day charter.
There is still one spot on that trip, and a couple on the Sept. 22 if you can get away.