watauga lake Fishing Report 2025

A awesome sunset and some action on bigger Bluefin last night. But..... in typical Bluefin fashion lately, the big ones came through and bit baits flylined on gear from 40-60 pound. We had two fish at color in the dark (estimated @ 130 pounds) and somehow the last 4 fish of the day found their freedom (1 spooled, 1 broken hook and 2 pulled hooks). These things can be down right mean.

~~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.
        

 

Hello Everyone, Last night was a slower than the previous nights for tuna. In the morning we focused on Wahoo. We were rewarded with a couple stops for Wahoo and a handful of 20lb Yellowtail. We will be working up tomorrow. We will be in search of Yellowtail. Wish us Luck, Team Supreme

Captain Mike Pritchard checked in tonight with a final wrap-up from the Tribute’s offshore trip today.  We had 9 anglers and caught 17 Bluefin Tuna (one shy of limits), 1 Yellowfin Tuna and a Yellowtail.  We had flat calm weather.  We are back at it tonight.  Come on out and go fishing on the Tribute.

"The X-Raps were working real good on the slide," said Polaris Supreme skipper Tom Rothery July 21 at Fisherman's Landing. "It seemed like the best colors were silver or bonito color. The zucchini colored skirted jigs were working real good on the troll. Fishing was good; we got enough fish, with good yellowtail at the islands and good albacore fishing offshore." David "Sammy" Samuelson of San Diego won first place on the trip, for his 37.4-pound albacore. He said he got it with a sardine on a 2/0 hook tied to 30-pound P-Line, a Saiwa reel and a Calstar six-foot rod. Bob Pollack of San Diego won second place for a 33.4-pounder, and Dick Emerson of Rowland Heights won third place for a 32.8-pound albacore. Jonathan Kendrick of Oakley stood in with the winners to show his 37-pound dorado, caught on a Zucker's jig in Mexican Flag colors.

We got into the albacore grounds late in the morning. Most of the guys there already had a mix of around 30 albacore and yellowfin. We struggled and just couldn't find the right school until about 4:00 in the afternoon. Then it was wide open albacore fishing until 6:30. As we sat down to a superb dinner of Veal chops with Port and Mushroom sauce we reflected on what had started as a brutally tough day had turned into a simply great day! We will definitely stay here and try this again tomorrow. Thanks, Tommy

The Apollo will be running a open party overnight trip this Saturday night fishing Sunday. Ticket price is $145 contact Jodie for reservations. 858-220-1593

The Apollo is a go for departing Friday night. We will be targeting White Seabass and Halibut. The fare is $145. We have been having good fishing for rockfish if the Seabass do not show up. Call Jodie at (858) 220-1593 to get in on the action.