oc Fishing Report 2025

Monday, July 18th, 2012

Hello friends. The weather could be a lot better offshore, that's for sure. It's bumpy, it's windy, it's cold and wet - the people are not digging it at all. It's just a bad time for everyone when the boat is rolling back and forth, bouncing up and down, the wind howling, people are sick and it's just an unpleasant deal all the way around. Buuuutttttt, this problem does not exist when you're in the calm lee of an island and that's where we are, so we're pumped. Our only problem with the weather right now is sun burns and kelp flies. Needless to say, we're happy we made the move inside and with the weather still forcasted to be up offshore, we're going to give this island weather another day and brave the elements of flat calm weather and endless sunshine.

As for the fishing; it wasn't hot and heavy but it was a nice pace for the gang to enjoy. We had a few morning drifts where the dropper loops were getting bit but the seals ended that party pretty quick. So, we decided to make a move for less local harassment and we had ourselves a nice drift around lunch time that really made our day. a fly-lined sardine was the ticket to capture a nice 'tail and the fish ranged from 12-18 lbs. Quality sized fish and the kids and adults alike were having themselves a ball. After our drift dried up, we toured around various spots to no avail but were excited about the prospects of tomorrow.

Like I said, we'll be here for one more day tomorrow and come the evening time, we're going to have to start working our way up the line and try to make it the smoothest ride we can going home. With that, we'll chat with y'all tomorrow. Have a great day.

~~Oct. 9
 Good evening to everyone at home or wherever you may read this.  After one night dockside we were back to the boat this afternoon.  We headed to the fuel dock and changed oil and fuel filters, filled her all the way up on fuel, grabbed some brine making salt and loaded 2 weeks worth of food.  Shortly after getting back to Fishermans Landing, all our dogs got here.  I'm talking about George, Craig, Charlie, the Jer-bear, the Bry man, Bernie, Scott and the infamous J.C.  Infamous.  That's like really famous. 

 We took our time at the bait receivers to ensure we had the best that bait could offer us.  We're pretty happy with it at the moment.  For the next 4 days we'll be traveling to our destination of the Shamada seamount.  AKA Hurricane Bank.  And speaking of hurricanes, there isn't one at the moment.  Lately they've just been rolling in one after another but for now, none.  It's our destiny to get down below and catch very large yellowfin and wahoo.  Tommy spent a bunch of money and rented a system that allows us to get on the web where ever we are which allows us too look at all our weather web sites to keep track of storms that may be an issue to us.  So worry not.  We won't be anywhere near a low pressure system this trip.  Safe and sound out here as always.

 Anyways, it sure looked to me like everyone had a good afternoon hanging out, getting there cigar on and doing what they do.  We didn't even make it through dinner before the Bry-man and the Jer-bear got on what they call Team Bernard.  It's there thing to talk some smack and make fun of Scott and Bernie and it's hilarious on all sides.  Here we go.

 So for the next few days we'll be getting ready for a week of some hardcore fishing.  Rigging tackle, tuna and wahoo seminars, naps, movies, food, cocktails...  I think the next few reports will read like this paragraph we're on now.
        

 

Thanks for the amazing response to the OPEN Shimano Charters we scheduled for the Channel Islands this spring. The response was so positive that I spoke with the folks at Shimano and they agreed to put another trip on line. This one will be set for fishing on March 13. That would be departing at 9pm on the night of the 12th. This trip will be just like the others. Shimano will provide a bunch of outfits for fishing butterfly and lucanus systems. There will be give aways of tackle and goodies as well. Please email me if you would like to join us on this trip.

Captain Mike Pritchard called in to report 17 Yellowtail from our first kelp. We also had 2 Bluefin Tuna up to 65 pounds. We are seeing spots of Bluefin today and some other boats have scores up to 30 fish. The weather is fantastic. Stay tuned ...

Captain Ryan Bostian called in tonight with an update from the San Diego out of Seaforth Sportfishing in Mission Bay, CA. We have been fishing offshore. Today we had 39 Yellowfin Tuna and 1 Bluefin Tuna. Our last trip we had 52 Yellowfin Tuna. Most the fish are 15 to 25 pound range. We are starting to see some bigger fish too. Please be sure to have a light rod (20#) and a heavier rod. Be ready to catch fish between 15 and 100 pounds.

The season's fourth 300-pound tuna arrived November 29 aboard Polaris Supreme with owner-skipper Tom Rothery at the helm as the 90-footer docked at Fisherman's Landing. The trip was 13 days for the boat and ten for the anglers who flew home from Cabo, and was sponsored by Rothery's partner Tom Pfleger, who heads PIER (Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research). A small group of 14 anglers including Pfleger was aboard.

Tommy Rothery docked his Polaris Supreme at Fisherman's Landing August 22 after the season's best tuna trip to Guadalupe Island. There were 24 anglers aboard the first Dan Heil Memorial trip. "I felt like he was there with us," said son and chartermaster Ron Heil. "He would have really enjoyed this trip." Tuna fishing was excellent for the group, so much so that Rothery was able to give the spot up to Art Taylor and the Searcher. "We had plenty of tuna," said Tom, "all we needed. The sharks got some of them." Steve Patterson of Grants Pass won first place for a 103-pound yellowfin. "My best tuna ever," he said. Patterson used a sardine on a 4/0 ringed Gorilla hook tied to 40-pound P-Line and 65-pound Izorline Spectra backing, on an Avet LX reel and a Rogue Rod of seven feet. "He slaughtered me," added Patterson. "I couldn't get my new rod off the rail. He tore up the cork and the diamond wrap." Don Pieper of Arroyo Grande was second for a 72.6-pounder, and Buddy Bales of Spokane, WA won third place, for a 72.2-pound yellowfin tuna. The season's 12th wahoo from Guadalupe was included in the catch.

~~Oct. 3
 Hello October and hello you all and welcome back to the Polaris Supreme.  We were off for a week if you didn't notice.  The crew, we all did our own thing except for Tuesday and Wednesday we all got together for a little maintenance.  And now we're back out here. We all came back to the boat talking about how great we cook wahoo.  "I cooked it this way, you should try it". "Oh no, you should try it my way".  Basically I think wahoo is just good.  We left for 2 days this morning and we're pumped.  We had a report of a floating kelp pattie that was producing good days for many boats this morning so we thought we'd give it a try too.  Thankfully it was all rigged up with a flag and a reflector and stuff because the sun was getting low by the time we made it out there and I'm not sure we would have found it without it.  Anyways like most rigged kelps there was a school with it and it bit pretty well  for us for about an hour and then it got dark.  The fish were tuna.  A bit on the smaller side but that's what's around and that's what everyone's been catching so we were cool with it too.

 Tomorrow we're hoping to get down and crazy with some dorado.  We heard of a zone with some floating kelp with schools of those colorful fish and we're going to try and find some.

 We have a new PA system on board and that thing pumps.  Holy Toledo can that thing put out some power.  I think I could take that thing to Petco Park and announce a Padre game with it.  Just some more raw power for the Polaris Supreme.