reelfoot lake Fishing Report 2024

Polaris Supreme returned to Fisherman's landing June 4 after her first three-day trip of the new season, with 24 anglers aboard. Yellowtail were plentiful and many were released. Some bluefin tuna of up to nearly 33 pounds were also caught. Owner-skipper Tommy Rothery reported pleasant sea conditions and nice weather.

"We were way down there,below where everybody else is fishing," said Tommy. "It was a little rolly at mid-day. I don't know why."

Rick Yokley of San Diego won first place for a 32.4-pound bluefin.

"He took me around the boat three times," commented Rick. He said he fished a sardine on a 2/0 ringed Super Mutu hook, with 30-pound fluorocarbon leader and 65-pound Spectra backing on an Avet MXL 6/4 reel.

John Brown of El Cajon was second, for a 32.2-pound bluefin, and Paul Cheak of Benecia won third place for a 31.4-pound bluefin tuna.

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.

Today we departed on a 5 day Guadalupe Island trip. We got a very early jump and are loaded up with a great load of bait. We are all excited to get fishing and are hoping we do not encounter too many of these Guadalupe Shoulder mounts, courtesy of the resident sharks.

Capt Ryan Bostian checked in from the San Diego with a trip wrap up for their 41 anglers to report that they caught 135 Yellowtail at the Coronado Islands. They were biting on the flylined sardines and the surface jigs, we also a few on the yoyo jigs, pretty good fishing today. We will be back at it again tomorrow, get down here and get in on this hot action.

We just don't see the sign of 200 lb. plus tuna that we would like to. There is plenty of 70-125 lb. tuna but we are going to bust a move to look for some cows. Weather is still flat clam. Lunch was wahoo enchiladas. (Tom donated the wahoo) Dinner was a pork tenderloin. No hors d'oeuvres today. We need a break.

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

Hi friends. Fishing today was just beautiful today on 16-22 lb. yellowtail down here. We had a few of those "premiums" in the mix and a few shakers but for the most part, it was a really nice grade of 'tail. Our key to success today was finding--as Tommy puts it--fresh balls [of yellowtail]. Classic run 'n gun fishing for the morning as the guys on jigs and fly-lined sardines were getting their fill but once our drift was established, the dropper loop guys got in on the action too. Anyways, it was a good morning bite in the "drift zone" but a little after lunch, things shut off and we toured around trying to find another ball without much success. Speaking of lunch, chartermaster Joe Gigliotti did it again. He owns the pizza game and made a really awesome lunch for the guys. Sausage, pepperoni, olives, barbecued chicken, chicken and pesto, and smoked fish, capers, and onions were being devoured by the gang. Joe rocks. I only had a couple bites of each because my nutritionist, Chef Shawn, didn't think I needed the extra carbs and fat. I had salad and a banana. Eyes on the prize, baby. Anywho, it was definitely a morning thing and we'll be here for one more morning to see if we can't connect on some more fresh balls [of yellowtail] and let the weather fade out before we boogie out of here to get in some offshore tuna and dorado action. Oh yeah, we need to make some bait too.

As I type this, the time is 0245 hours in the morning and it's starting to rain, Gunny is all slicked up downstairs braving the elements, and I'm up here in the cozy wheelhouse contemplating typing a report for another hour and fifteen minutes until we have to wake up Tommy and Mark. Nah, I can't do Gunny like that. Anyhow, bait-making isn't all that great as Gunny has made a couple pieces and a couple of flying fish for next trip and I've made one lizard fish. Pumped.

Speaking of pumped, the gym here on the Polaris Supreme is overloaded with muscle right now. Last night before dinner, Tommy was in the wheelhouse gettin' his leg and core workouts in while I was out back in the "gun zone" getting my diesel on with some upper body workouts. Tommy was rockin' out a few sets of crunches, squats, and toe raises, I was in the gun zone jackin' out sets of chin-ups, tricep dips, push-ups, and leg lifts. It was on. So my fellow pump brother, Riddler the Ripped One, and I were getting all swollen and admiring each others work, and here's Gunny taking a shower. He doesn't have a membership to the gym yet but we'll find a way to get him one, don't you worry, Tommie. If you're nickname is "Gunny", you'd better be shredded to the max and not applying cocoa butter moisturizer when Riddles and I are getting wrenched. I'm proud of you, Riddler, I'll be your spotter anytime. If only we could get him bronzing...

Staying with the last topic, Drew and I took what might be the best photo ever this evening. A rainbow showed itself in the distance and what a beautiful rainbow it was. Instinctively, Drew leaped into my arms and I held him like a baby lamb in my toned arms and Mark snapped a photo of the exchange. The picture is just fabulous, Drew being held up by "Richie Gun Racks", his smile ear-to-ear, and a beautiful rainbow in the background. Just lovely.

So that's all. Life on the Supreme is grand right now and I've got to go and make some bait. Like I said, we'll be here tomorrow trying for some more 'tails. Hopefully, the action is a real fat burner and we're just going crazy all day. We'll see. Okay, I gotta go. Bait, bait, bait!

-The Supreme Team

Good fishing in the morning with 70 to 100 pound fish. Most again were released. Late in the day we got lucky with two more big fish. Young Gunnar got another one over 200, and Charlie got one right at 200. Just a great trip with George Davis and his group, and an awesome crew. We will be into the Cape tomorrow to drop off the passengers to fly home and be at Fisherman's Landing on Wednesday.

Captain Ryan Bostian checked in this evening with an update from “The San Diego” out of Seaforth Sportfishing in Mission Bay! Today we had 34 passengers catch 7 Bluefin Tuna (20 to 55 pounds) and 12 Yellowtail. We had several heartbreaks on 75 to 120 pounders. Please bring a 25 to 30 pound rod as well as a 50 pound rod. A Talica 16 is perfect for the larger grade fish. The San Diego is online everyday at 5:30 AM. Call (619) 224-3383 or BOOK ONLINE at www.thesandiego.com.