lake estes Fishing Report 2025

Another fun day of mixed bag tuna action. 

Strong south wind made things interesting today but we’re able to find a lucky kelp in the bottom of the ninth. We managed our quota of green dorado and 16 yellowtail.

TERRIFIC OVERNITE TRIP!! APOLLO had 24 anglers on an overnite trip catch limits of Rockfish(240), 60 Whitefish & 24 Sheephead. Always a good trip with Capt JJ. Call now to book your reservation at Sea Landing @ (805)963-3564

Incredible sunsets are just another day on the office. Not much traffic on the commute either. 

You know today I was thinking what a great job I have! Of course the weather is flat calm, that helps. No we didn't kick the heck out of a bunch of fish, but I did get to fish all day and was not stuck in traffic once. We did land 18 school Tuna and 5 nice yellowtail, on kelp's, Dolphin, blind jig strikes and other assorted methods. We saw close to a hundred pie plate size baby turtles, along with fin-back whales, blue whales, and big albatross birds.The day was finished with good news from our buddy boat who had some incredible yellowtail fishing in which we will be waking up to bright and early tomorrow morning! Thanks, Team Supreme

Many of you know Captain Ray Montera who has been involved in sportfishing most of his life. In March, his 32 year old Chris son was severely injured in a C4 blast in Afghanistan. We are holding a fundraiser on October 8th at the Bali Hai on Shelter Island. He is one of our own and we are rallying to support him.

As an Army soldier, Chris Montera was often taken aback when people would thank him for doing the job he loved. On a fateful day in March, he came to face the sacrifice. He was on a dismounted mission and was hit with explosion of C4, which literally blasted and propelled him into a grape field. He suffered major issues with blast lung and severe burns over much of his body. For 9 days he was on ECMO (lung bypass) until he was stable enough to be transported to BAMC in San Antonio for the treatment of his shrapnel wounds and third degree burns. On April 2 a fungal infection set into the wounds on his lower extremities and Chris underwent bilateral AK amputation of his legs. He was further diagnosed with an incomplete spinal cord injury in the thoracic area of the spine at VA Polytrauma Center in Palo Alto.

Through all of this, Chris remains focused and committed to rehabilitation. It is estimated that he will remain in Palo Alto for 3-6 months while he works to regain his upper body strength, which will be necessary for the next stages of rehab in the C5 program at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego where he will be fitted with prosthetic legs and with determination will learn to walk again. There is no doubt in our minds that Chris will recover to live an independent life. The goal of this fundraiser is to be able to assist Chris with expenses he will no doubt encounter on his journey to independence.

The event will be held at the Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island On October 8th from 6:00-10:00 pm. There will be food stations serving food from many San Diego restaurants along with a no host bar. A raffle, live, and silent auction will take place during the event along with live entertainment by Mango Bay and World Famous Jim Gibson. The outpouring of support of raffle and auction donations from the sportfishing community, tackle, fishing supply manufacturers, and local businesses has been phenomenal. The evening will be great fun for all and will serve to help a young man who put it all on the line.

There are several ways you can help:
First and most important is attend the event.

Tickets are $50 in advance or $450 for a block of 10

Advance ticket purchases will include 3 raffle tickets and assorted swag

Cannot attend but would like to help, make a cash donation in any amount.

Donate an item for the raffle or auction. Anything from fishing items, art, gift certificates, clothing...anything is greatly appreciated.


We look forward to having you at the event. The sport fishing community has come together to take care of a wounded warrior of their own, and it promises to be a fun filled evening for all.

To purchase tickets for Island Nights at the Bali Hai, please visit our website at http://christophermonterasupport.com/island-nights-at-the-bali-hai

To donate items for our raffle/auction please visit our website and complete the donor form http://christophermonterasupport.com/sponsors-anddonors-supporters/donor-form

Today our 30 anglers were treated to a 6 hour drift which resulted in 33 bluefin tuna from 60 to 100 pounds and 1 twenty pound yellowfin. We managed to keep 1-8 fish hooked at all times. Our bites were coming on 40&50 lb flyline sardines and 130-160 gram Shimano Flatfalls as well as 100 gram Shimano Colt snipers. TIP FROM THE CREW: In order to keep the deck clean and safe. We rinse with a saltwater hose constantly. Wearing rubber boots or waterproof shoes is recommended.

Captain Ryan Bostian called in this evening with a report from the San Diego. We had a private charter with 37 anglers. Captain Taro put the charter on 137 Yellowfin Tuna, 22 Yellowtail, and a few Skipjack. Tuna fishing remains excellent. Now that the kids are back in school we should have excellent fishing with lighter loads and less pressure. We are moving into San Diego's prime months of September and October. Talk to you later!