upper james river Fishing Report 2025

Hello Supreme fans, Today we had a great day of fishing on quality Wahoo and some nice Yellowtail mixed in. The yellows were a great surprise, but didn't come without many casualties. The yellows were big and strong, they had a mission for the rocks from where they came. Rocking many individuals. If they however were lucky enough to make past the rocks the sharks were waiting eagerly above to get their chance at our prized yellowtail. Needless to say the fish that made it through the gantlet were big and highly celebrated. All and all a well rounded and exciting day. Large Wahoo and Yellows were there for the taking. It was very exciting trying to get the targeted fish on the boat through all the obstacles the sea had to throw at us! Cannot wait for tomorrow! tight lines, Team Supreme

Mike Pritchard called in to wrap up results of the Tribute's 1 Day Charter. "Good fishing here today. We had very, very good Yellowtail fishing. We caught 131 Yellowtail, 14 Dorado, and 16 of that nice grade Yellowfin, from 18 to 30 lbs. We'll be out here on another 1 Day trip tonight. We'll let you know what happens tomorrow."

Tommy Rothery returned Polaris Supreme to Fisherman's Landing November 18 after a ten-day Ocean Tackle Research charter. The boat had 13 anglers aboard. Chartermaster Lon Mikkelsen of Hood River, OR saw his father, Bill Mikkelsen of Olympia, WA land the season's first super cow; a tuna over 300 pounds. "It was full-speed fishing," said Chartermaster Lon Mikkelsen.

Bill Mikkelsen's big fish won first place after it weighed in at 308.8-pounds, caught on a fly-lined sardine. Bill used the boat's gear, including a 6/0 Mustad 7691 hook, 100-pound P-Line, and a Shimano rod and reel. "Tommy said it was tail-wrapped from the beginning," said the elder Mikkelsen. "And he was, but he got lose and went on another run. He took me around the boat twice."

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."

New 1.5 Day Limited Load Trip on The Polaris Supreme Trip. The Polaris supreme has a new 1 1/2 day trip scheduled to depart Sunday afternoon at 6 PM fish all day Monday and return Tuesday morning at 6 AM. We still have six spots open and the trip is all inclusive meals Mexican permits etc. We will be targeting the 15 to 30 pound yellowfin tuna that is outside San Diego. If you would like to come and join us please contact fisherman's Landing or the Polaris supreme office at 619-390-7890. Hope to see you out fishing with us on Monday. The Polaris supreme crew.

Yesterday we had a travel day. It was a little bumpy and choppy coming up the line. The passengers just relaxed and enjoyed a fresh tuna sandwich and Ceasar salad for lunch and for dinner we were treated to crab stuffed chicken on rice with a black bean sauce and grilled squash on the side. Really good. This morning we are still traveling and it is still bumpy. It looks like it is nicer up above and we should have a nice afternoon and a few hours of fishing before we have to head in. We will be a the dock at 6:00 am Wednesday morning.
We have a last minute cancellation on our trip that departs tomorrow. It is Don Fischbeck's annual 5 day charter. Give Susan or Don a call if you can get away and come fish.

Captian Ryan Bostian reported that the San Diego had a good day at the island. Today we had 62 Yellowtail and there were some nice quality. Look at the photo!

29 yellowtail, 44 reds, and 100 whitefish. Yellowtail sightings are starting to become very consistent. Spring is in the air.