sarasota florida Fishing Report 2024

The tenth annual George Davis trip aboard the Polaris Supreme arrived at Fisherman's Landing December 5, after spending ten days in southern waters with a super ultra-light load of seven anglers, including chartermaster Davis. There were five tuna over 200 pounds in the catch. One fish was well over 300 pounds. The big fish came in at 347.8 pounds, caught by Kevin Stokes, who is studying video making and cinematography, working on his B. A. in digital video at Mt. Sierra College in Monrovia. The giant yellowfin bit a sardine on a 6/0 Mustad 7691 hook tied to 100-pound P-Line and 130-pound Spectra on one of the boat's rigs: a Tiagra 50 reel and a Calstar 6460 XXH rod. It fought for 35 minutes. "He didn't fight too hard," said Stokes. He just laid there like a big cow. I almost lost him at the end, because his circles went all the way across the stern. They got him with four gaffs and lifted him over the rail. "My best tuna before this one was 180 pounds. It fought harder. I may have this one mounted. Next, I've got to go back to work and to school." Stokes said he does freelance work in video. Eleven-year-old Gunnar Johnston outscored the men by taking two cows; two yellowfin over 200 pounds. One of his fish weighed 217.8 pounds and won second place. The other went 209 pounds. Gunnar goes to Marinotha Christian Academy, and races motocross. His dad Craig Johnston is a construction manager in Orange County and was close by when Gunnar hooked his big cow. "I was up the rail," said Craig, "and I saw him get bent, and I shouted, ‚Дтdon't let go of that rig,' and I saw him pull back harder." Gunnar got the fish to gaff in 45 minutes, after it bit a sardine on a 6/0 Super Mutu hook on 130-pound Izorline fluorocarbon leader tied to 100-pound Momoi line and 130-pound Line One Spectra. He used an Avet 50 reel and a Calstar 6455 XXH rod. "It's my first long range trip," said Gunnar. "It's fun, hooking up and catching these big fish. Craig Johnston said his son had been on one and two-day trips before, but this was his first long range venture. "My best fish before was a 30-pound albacore or a dorado," said Gunnar. "I want to do it again." His dad felt the same way. "He was bit hard at first," said Craig, "but he did his work in the corner." Charlie Middleton of San Pablo took a 213-pounder and won third place. He said it bit a sardine on an 8/0 Gamakatsu hook tied to 100-pound Soft Steel Ultra line and 130-pound Power Pro Spectra on a Penn 80 SW reel and a five and a half-foot Ugly Stick rod. The fight lasted 20 minutes. "The best fishing was during the squalls," said Charlie. "That's when I hooked this one. He took me around the boat twice. There was a lot of 18-inch squid around."
Jim Jacobs of Murietta had never been fishing before. "I didn't know how to hold the pole," he said. Jacobs got a 202.6-pound tuna after a 40-minute scrap. It bit a sardine on an 8/0 Mustad 7691 hook, also on one of the boat's rigs. "My first trip," said Jacobs, "and my first fish."

Benn making the most of the situation and not dragging passengers offshore to catch nothing. So we have been fishing the Coranado Islands for all you want cod each day and heading offshore in the PM finding very little. Our larger boats went out today catching a handful of Yellowfin so that's a move in the right direction. Thanks!

The guys have called in with 11 bluefin from 40-80 lbs for 24 anglers . They still have plenty of time to fish. Stay tuned.

~~Sep 15
 Well today didn't go like we were hoping.  We didn't catch anything on the anchor in the morning like we did yesterday morning.  So we thought at least we could get our 3 wahooless passengers a skin but that didn't happen.  There were quite a few boats trying.  We already caught a bunch of tuna the last couple days, so we stuck with the plan and got out of there way and left to go fish yellows.  That was a bust.  There were three of us looking around and none of us caught much.  Just a few handfuls of yellows was all.  So we decided to take off after lunch and we put it on course for Alijos Rocks.  We'll be there tomorrow morning and our plan is to catch some more wahoo.  We'll give it at least a full day there and maybe even another halfer.  Hopefully we have the place to ourselves there tomorrow.  We did get one really nice hoo during our travels this afternoon.  It was about 65 pounds.  A trip maker for the young Darrel.  You'll see it later on the website when we put it up.  Take care now.
      
 

Drew Henderson docked Polaris Supreme September 22 following a six-day trip with 22 anglers that visited Cedros Island and the albacore grounds with a look for very little at Guadalupe Island on the way through. "The day started up very well for us," he wrote September 18. "It was good scratching up until just after lunch and fishing took a dump. We looked around the Island for a bit and after making a few stops for a few more fish we took off from there and are now heading west to the big Island. We have a great catch of jumbo yellowtail on board and we're hoping to get some jackpot-settling, trophy size yellowfin tomorrow. We had Portuguese style yellowtail for dinner tonight. We had it last trip for the first time and I must say it was by far the best yellowtail I have ever eaten in my life."

Nov. 17th

                Well the plan worked.  We stayed tucked behind Cedros Island till 1:30 this morning.  That gave things above time to settle down.  The wind backed off at 10:00 last night and it was a surprisingly nice ride up this morning.  It was a little herky jerky but much better than we thought it would be.  We went full cruise and barely got the windows wet.  Due to the nice ride, we had some time to fish this morning and we found some action.  We hit up this little pinnacle and it had some 14-18 pound yellows hanging out.  We made a few drifts and an anchor job and managed to scratch up more then 2 per rod.  We all needed a little action.  We'll be a little late getting in tomorrow but it's worth it.  We deserved some action after being stuck in the lee yesterday due to the weather.

 

                And that's it.  That's the trip and that's the 2015 season for us.  It's time to hang with the family and be a dad and a husband.  Time for the rest of the crew to do what they do.  Until February that is.  Then we leave on a long one.  It's also time for me to thank all our customers.  Thanks for the year, and thanks for the years.  It's always fun and it's always different.  This year will have a special place in the old memory bank just like all the other years and it's because of most of you reading these posts.  And I just want you to know, that we all appreciate what you do for us, and mostly it's as easy as coming out fishing with us.  THANK YOU!!!!!!

                                                                                               

Well the fishing is not red hot but the grade is for sure bigger. We had many Yellowfin Tuna today that are over 100 lbs. Incredible grade. There is lots of life here and we have another day to see if they really want to bite. Wish us luck! Here we have Mike Grella with a well earned Guadalpe Tuna. Also we have Richard with his big tuna well over 100lbs caught on a Penn senator reel! Holy cow Richard you sure do like a challenge! Good job though!

This is the reel deal! What a great day fishing on the albacore. Lots of albacore. And a hand full of bluefin too! The weather is good. Everyone is having a ball.

Thanks,