james river croaker Fishing Report 2024

San Diego regular Amanda Cervallos with 1 of the 213 yellowfin we landed today. Having your own pair of pliers definitely helps when we are in a hot and heavy bite.

Aug. 27-28

Here's a 2 dayer for you all. I forgot to write yesterday's report due to my enthusiasm not being crazy high about it. So we fished in these bluefin grounds all day yesterday and for a few hours in the morning today for not much. Yesterday we were seeing sign of fish around. We didn't see any schools driving around but we'd get a meter mark and stop the boat and after a while we'd see a handful or two sometimes more come under the boat and sometimes we would get a few and other times we wouldn't but at that rate the final tally wasn't anything to write home about so that's probably why I didn't. Today wasn't better. I can't say we ever saw a fish even on the machines. We looked through the traditional area early for nothing then went that way for a while then we turned that way for a while and then we turned that way for a while and then we called it a trip. It means nothing for future trips the way this bluefin is. Tomorrow can be wide open. A hell of a trip anyways if you've been reading you'd know it. The boats clean and everyone on board is stuffed and rested. We'll be getting in at 6:00 in the am tomorrow and then we're departing on the 9 day! I'm really looking forward to it. Getting out of this cool August offshore weather and into the warm wahooey weather. As Joe Beck would say, "yeah baby". Thanks to everyone on board and shame on those who were thinking about making it but didn't. You missed the best bluefin bite you've probably ever seen. Drew

Capt Mike Pritchard called in last night from the Tribute last night with an update, they were on day 2 of a 4.5 day trip. They arrived Colonet around 10 am, very good Yellowtail fishing from 18 - 28 lbs. We did have a lot of casualties and ended the day with 53 Yellowtail and probably lost just as many. The Yoyo fishing was the most fun, but we had a hard time getting them off the bottom with 50 lb rigs. So far today we have 25 Yellowtail, as the weather gets nicer we are going to head offshore. We will check back in again later.

If you missed your chance to jump on our first June open 5.5, here is your opportunity to hop on this one!! Blackwater line, and Tady lures are sponsoring this 5.5 cedros / benitos trip. Limited to only 18 passengers, ticket cost is $1400. We already have people getting aboard this awesome trip, don't miss out!! We would love to have you. Trip departs Friday June 6th at 6pm Returns Thursday June 12th at 6am Contact Jodie at 858-220-1593, [email protected]

Well late in the day yesterday we got into a good school of albacore. They bite well and everybody was hung on the boat. It was a wild afternoon and we ended up with a nice round of albacore. This morning we are in a new area. Prospects look good and we've had a handful so far. We are coming up on a really good looking spot so I will update again later. Thanks! Tommy and crew

The San Diego checked in with us today. We finished with 10 Yellowfin, 23 Dorado, 12 Yellowtail  and 13 Skipjack. Choppy seas made things tough but we managed to scratch a day out. Hopeful for tomorrow.

Just got here to the island. We have mostly been fishing the lower end of the island but we will be looking down the island in case the fish moved up! Wish us luck! 

Today we departed on Bob Vance's annual 5-day charter. It's always great to see Bob and his group. He is one of our longest running charters, and while there are always a couple new faces, there a quite a few that have been with Bob since the beginning. We spent the day traveling, preparing our gear, and dined on a monstrous grilled steak and potato for dinner. We are underway and anxious to get our lines in the water. Check in tomorrow. Thanks, Tommy and crew