mdwfp Fishing Report 2025

~~Aug. 21
 We missed again this morning folks.  I'm not very happy about it, but I've excepted it.  We've definitely put in our work this trip.  Not necessarily physically these last couple days but mentally for sure.  I am drained.  We didn't want to spend another afternoon like we spent yesterday so we left the grounds and fished the Coronado Islands this afternoon.  We didn't see much yellowtail.  Myself or the other long range boat here.  I heard some good analogies this trip by other captains on the radio that I'd like to share.  Looking at the fish reports is like watching sports center.  They keep showing you all the top tens, but they almost never show the other Joe's, and sometimes you're the bug, and sometimes you're the windshield.  Most guys the last couple days have been the bugs.

 There have been quite a few firsts for me lately.  First of all I've never spent this much time fishing this close to home other than my 3/4 day days..  I have never been anchored up right outside the harbor on the second night of the trip.  We were there catching bait.  I've never captained the boat to San Clemente or the Coronado Islands.  There's probably more.  Oh yeah, I've never seen the 5 freeway from the boat.  Mark thought it was a bird school.  In his defense, I had to give it a double take too.

 So that's it.  We're going home and we'll be leaving for 5 tomorrow.  Tommy is coming back out so he'll be deciding where to go.  I'll tell you though, it's tough to pass on this fish.  Unfortunately for us, it's the best grade of tuna around.  It's great for the 1/2 day boats though.
       

We stopped and fished briefly on some yellowtail this afternoon and had some great action. We then continued on traveling in smooth weather. However, if we were going the other way it would be snotty and rough. We had a tender cooked shaved beef with a Burgundy sauce, baby snow peas and roasted potatoes for dinner. Still rolling down to Alijos, and should be fishing by mid-morning.

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

Good evening friends. We arrived back from John and Ed's family 3-day trip this morning at 0600 and were back out to sea around 1030 hours embarking on our 11th annual Paul Hess 5-day adventure. Paul has brought his usual cast of renegades along with some Polaris Supreme first-timers. We're missing a few of the familiar faces but we'll see you all next year and we'll dedicate this trip towards y'all. Anyhow, the reports are sounding promising a little further south for the fish that get my blood pumping like no other, the Bluefin tuna. So we're motoring on down there and we'll be in the zone sometime in the morning and as for the weather, it's very fair right now and we're liking it.

So that is all. We'll be giving it a go for some tuna fish tomorrow and we'll base our decision for day two when the sun settles below the horizon. We're all a happy bunch. The passengers are well fed and sleepy and with our new subscription to SiriusXM radio, we're a happy crew. Things are just peachy and we'll hit you up tomorrow.

P.S. Special thanks goes to Dave and Sandra. Thank you for the cookies. Drew and I left the passengers with roughly a dozen and the seventy-nine that we ate before dinner were especially delicious. Dave: I miss your hot-white boots and Sandra, I miss identifying birds with you. We'll see you next year.

4 yellowtail 129 calico bass 29 barracuda 4 sheepshead 26 whitefish. Another action packed day at the Coronado Islands.

34 pass. 170 skipjack tuna 1 yellowtail.

Starting November 1st we will be running full day Coronado Islands trips. Bring your yellowtail gear and your passport.

This year is my 20th straight season operating a boat at the Coronado Islands. The fishing that is happening right now is the best I have ever seen. Boats from 10 ft to 124 ft all drifting and getting them. Don’t miss out on this amazing display of bio-mass. Please be responsible and only keep what you need. Have fun, be responsible and help a kid or a beginner. The guys are getting them again this morning. 75+ out of their first stop.

Capt. Ray Montera will be going out tomorrow in search of yellowtail. If you have ever wanted to catch a 20 plus pound yellowtail. This is the time for you.

The spring Season is nearly upon us and we will be taking the Apollo to Santa Barbara for the rockfish opener and hopefully a productive seabass season. We have an unusual amount of open weekend dates for this spring, between March 1rst and May 15th. Take a look at our calendar at apollocharters.com. Take advantage of these rare openings and book your own charter with me and my excelent crew today. Come fish with us out of Santa Barbara and experience the easiest and shortest ride to Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands. This means more fishing time and easier access to those harder to reach destinations. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you, J.J. Gerritsen.