We left on a crew trip on the Pacific Edge Weds after noon headed for SCI were the Yellowtail have been on the chew for the past few days.

We pulled into the cove around 6:30 pm and decided to do a few sunset halibut drifts for nothing.

It was time to set up on the bait ground for dinner and to put out the light as we had some great meter marks on the squid.

Before we could get the light out we already had 15 seals on us ready to play in our light and eat any bait that was in the area.

Good news is we opted out to buy a nice scoop of dines and squid so we really didn't mind and have to stay up all night to work.

We had a nice dinner and some cold drink and I was ready to turn in and start dreaming of what tactics we were going to set ourselves up for in the morning. We got word early in the day the bite was early and it went quick, so you bet we were up and at them with coffee in hand and ready at 0400!

We pulled our first drift over the spot and at 0600 my 40 pound stick loads up real good and then seconds later other side of the boat Mark's stick loads up as well as a skiff off our port side...

5 min into our fight Mark gets broken off and then my fish takes a run to the other side of the boat and I get broken off....!!!

DAMN! WE THOUGHT THIS WAS OUT ONLY CHANCE!

We try to put it behind us, but since the fishing has been so tough so far this season.... this one was hard to swallow......

We brushed it off the best we could and set up again, before too long my 40 lb stick loads up again and I am on a wild ride with a tanker!!!


As all that is happening I had my jig stick in the rod holder next to me that I was just yo-yoing a few min before, Mark picks it up to crank it in and BAM its on and Mark is on too!

We stick my fish and she goes 27 + and the drama continues... the jig stick gets broken of......

To make a long story short… we set up one more time and we each pick off 2 more 25+ fish and we left them biting to go up the front in search of seabass. We found lots of calicos before leaving with one more quick stop at Cat before calling the trip a success!!!

No seabass for the day, but was an epic and emotional ride on the big pond…Iguess that goes with fishing tankers....


Thanks Mark for the ride, always good fishing with you and the Pacific Edge!  

This type of fishing may last for the next months at Catalina & Clemente book your day 1 1/2!Learn more about Pacific Edge Sportfishing Charters at www.PacificEdgeTackle.com or call 800 339-3922.


Capt. Mark’s Tip: Purchase the Owner Aki Twist hooks size 4/0 to 6/0 , heavy jigs like a Tady 4/0 or Tady 9 or a Salas 6X Jr. or 7X heavy and Torpedo sinkers from 6 to 12 ounces for this deep water fishing.

The best jig colors are the old stand bys…white, blue & white, and scrambled egg.