rifle river Fishing Report 2025

~~Oct.16-20
 So for the last few days, I was either too busy to write a report or just too tired.  I knew these blogs wouldn't be making it out here until tomorrow anyway so I figured I would just do a 4 day report to explain the remainder of our trip down below so here it goes.

 When I left off, the sharks backed off and allowed us to have a great afternoon and we were hoping the sharks would do the same thing they did last year after the first couple of days which is leave.  That didn't happen.  It was a sharky trip for sure.  Brown Reef Sharks were in the picture for the remainder of the time we were down there.  Sometimes they were relentless and we'd have to pull anchor and go trolling for wahoo and other times they would back off just enough to allow us to scratch at the tunas and then other times they would back off completely.  They weren't tuna eaters though.  They let us wind in what we hooked, but they loved our kite baits.

 Anyways, we still had an excellent trip down there sharks or no sharks.  There were a lot of windows of opportunity and there were some slow windows as well.  There was almost always a window where we would get at least two cows before sunrise, and after that it never stayed consistent.  If we didn't need to sleep it would've been convenient.  I know we missed plenty of tuna bites in the dark hours through out the night but that's when we would sleep.  Like I said though we had an excellent trip and here are the numbers to prove it.

 130 yellowfin tuna and 60 wahoo for 8 guys for 6 days.  54 tuna kept.  11 over 200 lb's, 5 that may go when we weigh them on the dock scale, 6 between 170-180 and the rest were 100-150 pounds with much fish being in the 120-130 pound class.  We also released 76 of those too!  One release estimated to be around 200 pounds and several in the 150 pound range and like I said, many in the 120-130 pound range.  Our largest was 240 and next in line was a 234 pounder kept.

 Here are the team jackpot totals: 1st place goes to Charlie and Craig with 2 fish totaling 453 pounds.  2nd went to George and Scott with 2 totaling 414.  George also had 5 tuna over 200 pounds by the way.  One per day besides the last day.  3rd place went to the Jer-bear and JC with 399 pounds, and Brian and Bernie finished just behind them with 396 pounds.  None of this is official.  We still need to weigh them oin land.

 And that's basically how fishing was down there.  Here are some things that stand out to me while we were down there.  First of all I'd like to talk about KC.  I'm not saying he was scared, he just didn't seem too pumped on fighting one of these fish we call cows.  He wasn't the first or fifth for that matter to jump on a spot on the kite for example when one was available.  On the third day it couldn't be avoided.  He got up on that kite and when he did this particular time he hooked a big one and he handled it as well as anyone.  I mean he kicked that fishes @$$.  He came to battle and he won.  It taped out as a 193 pounder.  After that it wasn't hard to get KC up on the kite when a spot was presented.  It went from where the heck is KC, to him not leaving the rail at all.

 I let Mark know the Raiders lost.  I did it in a mean way too.  His birthday was the 16th I believe, and Chef Mike baked him a cake and we all sang happy birthday and when it was over, I gave him my birthday present which is spilling the beans on lying about the Raiders beating the Chargers.  Ha ha Mark.

 The weather was a lot less steamy the last few days down there.  It was still hot, but once the clouds went away it didn't feel like a sauna there anymore.  Although myself and a few others got the worse case of burnt lips we ever had.  I did it in a dumb way too.  I knew I should go get my chap stick from my room on the first day down there but my lips did;t feel like they were getting chapped so I thought, because of the humidity my lips weren't drying out and I didn't need protection.  Dumb, stupid and idiotic.  My lips may not have dried out but they still got as burnt as ever.

  So that's it.  We now travel for a few days.  The crew has plenty to do.  Clean, clean clean and sleep.  The passengers will be sleeping and celebrating a wonderful trip.  We'll be trying to break up the ride on our last day of travel by looking for a dorado kelp but that's still not for a couple more days.
      

 

Captain Ryan Bostian called in this afternoon with an update from the 3/4 day boat The San Diego out of Seaforth Sportfishing in Mission Bay. Today Captain Taro was at the helm. We had 137 Yellowtail for our group. They were biting on fly-lined baits, Yo-Yo jigs and Dropper Loop. You must have a passport to fish the Coronado Islands now. If you want to go fishing there you need to get one! Today we had 137. Yesterday we had 114. And on Saturday we had 96 Yellowtail. It is biting good!

59 bluefin 37 yellowfin. Quite a few bites on the 30-40lb flylined baits today. Sinker rigs, colt snipers and flat falls still getting plenty of action.

In addition to the great Wahoo fishing last trip JJ was able to sneak a whole skipjack down below then to pull out this nice Grouper! Hell ya JJ!

TIME TO GO!!! APOLLO is coming in from a 2-day trip with 44 Bluefin Tuna, 23 Albacore, 8 Yellowtail & 2 Dorado. Check out their next available trips. FISHERMANS LANDING has lots of trips available from overnight to 2-day trip. Call for your reservation at (619)221-8500.

Good evening and thanks again for tuning Polaris Supreme fans.   What an excellent day today!  The early morning hours were spent doing some looking around at different spots deciding where we wanted to get established for tuna fishing.  The currents didn't really want to cooperate at first, but eventually we found what looked best and gave it a shot.  It was a little on the slower side till things started to wake up, then the guys started to scratch away.  We eventually switched gears into wahoo mode and that was a great choice.  The remainder of the day we had our running shoes on chasing skinnies all around the boat.  Stop after stop, they kept coming over the rail.  The tax man had to take his piece of the pie of course, losing more than just a few to sharks, but never the less, I still call it an amazing day of skin fishing.  We all look forward to many more days like today before we end the trip.  For those wondering about the weather, you should be jealous.  I don't think there is nicer weather anywhere in the U.S.  It nothing short of perfect out here. 

                 A+ fishing and top notch food, what more could you ask for on a long range trip.  All of the guys are having a great time.  As always, thanks for taking a few minutes to check in and don't forget, even though we are out here on the water, we will still be representing at the Long Beach Fred Hall Show this year.  Make sure you stop by our booth and say hi to our crew up there.  Till tomorrow, tight lines.

 

Jed and the Polaris Supreme crew

The San Diego out of Seaforth Landing, has proven to be one of the top boats in the highly competitive 3/4 day fishing scene. With many options, passengers are fickle about which boat they select, and fish counts are at the heart of their decision. With the savvy Ryan Bostian at the helm, anglers are assured, that they will have the best shot at putting fish on the deck. The San Diego operates Coronado Islands trips, offshore trips, local rockfishing trips, and is a perfect boat for anglers looking for an introduction to offshore fishing or the local angler who needs to return the same day. With a fairly modest investment anglers are able to consistently land great gamefish like Yellowtail, Barracuda, Bonito, Bass and and in years like this, Tuna and Dorado. For many passengers it is their first time fishing live bait on a conventional reel, fishing a kelp paddy, or trolling. The crew on the San Diego is second to none in creating successful new anglers. In fact, the crew prides themselves on introducing future multi day fisherman to the sport we all know and love. Ryan Bostian the Owner Operator of the San Diego has excelled through the sport fishing ranks and continues to put out impressive numbers almost everyday. Bostian aka "Booger," the character from the movie "Revenge of the Nerds", (Bostian's favorite movie as a kid), began his career aboard the Dolphin as a Pinhead for Captain John Glawson. Like many of the young Pinheads, Ryan dreamed of one day moving up to a full time deckhand and eventually a Captain. He had no idea how quickly his dream would become a reality. During High School Ryan was able to secure a steady deckhand position on the New Seaforth and worked towards getting his Captains License. After High School he moved over to the Pacific Queen then owned and operated by Ed McEwen. He worked on the Pacific Queen for two years and also acquired his Captains License before leaving sportfishing to go to college. Ryan spent three years at Santa Barbara City and UCSB respectively. He enjoyed the University experience, however, according to Ryan, his skiff, was his favorite class and he often chose to fish while his actual classes were in session! It was obvious to Ryan that his passions were in sportfishing and he decided to return to Southern California. He returned to San Diego and started back as a deckhand on the Mission Belle for Captain David Ikeda. Ryan quickly proved himself, and was soon running the vessel. It was on the Belle, that he truly honed his skills as a Captain and spent three years as a hired skipper. When Ryan was just 23 years old, he had the opportunity to purchase the Mission Belle. He bought the Mission Belle in late 2001 and was the owner operator for 2 very successful years. During his tenure on the Mission Belle, The San Diego, a boat Bostian has often noticed for its great lines, came up for sale at Seaforth landing. He knew that didn't want to let The San Diego get away, so he purchased it as well in 2004. He owned and operated both boats for one year, with the help of Captain Ray "Stinger" Montera, but eventually sold the Mission Belle so he could fully focus on the San Diego. In 2005, Ryan did just that and did a full overhaul of The San Diego. He installed a new RSW system, new John Deere Engines, all new galley, and the coatings were replaced top to bottom. He moved the San Diego to the 5:30 to 5:00 run and has been able to not only keep up the success from the Mission Belle but has even increased his performance on the water. The offshore scene in 3/4 day range is as good as its ever been in recent years. I was able to join the crew of the San Diego on a trip last Thursday 8/15 and had a chance to see the great amount of life that is within 10-30 miles of San DIego. A huge biomass of bait was supporting all forms of life and made for an impressive view of the fantastic fishing San Diego has to offer. Last year was a banner year for the 3/4 day boats and this year seems to be even better with many exotics seriously on the chew. On our trip we landed 16 dorado and 46 yellowtail for the day. Ryan was very optimistic about the overall scene and looks for fishing to keep improving. If you are an angler and want to start your experiences offshore, or are an angler who needs to return the same day, the San Diego is the perfect boat to fish. Do yourself a favor and jump on board The San Diego and experience the best the the local offshore scene has to offer.

Jodie called in with this On-the-Water Fish Report for the Apollo. "It looks like we have 40 on the deck. These fish are 30 to 40 lbs and we are fishing at 111 miles.

"We will be out on a 2.5 Day Open Party trips leaving Sunday at 5:00 PM. The price is $625 including all the bells and whisles.If you want more information or want to make a reservation call Fisherman's Landing at 619-221-8500."