Photo courtesy of James Nugent



Take a look at this line up...  The proud Pacific Provider resting in Mag Bay with Bad Company (Badger), Bandit, and Game On to her Starboard.  Hercules (Compa) and Bad Company55 (Bulldog) to her port.  If this picture does not give you blood flow, you need an energy drink!  I invited a total of 5 boats this year for the first annual Crow's Nest Mag Bay invitational.  Tom Ramirez, the new owner of Hercules (x Bandit, x Bad Company, aka Compa) flew his private plane along with Corey Myer--Owner of Bandit leaving Wednesday, also with Corey is myself, Kingsmill, Ron, James Nugent and Eric.  Steve, Pete, and Eliseo arrived with Badger along with Tommy, Brett and Pat on Bandit on Tuesday from Cabo, Robert Ross (Bad Company55) arrived in Mag on Monday from Loreto.  Rounding out the arrivals was Hercules with Chuck, Dick, and Pete from Precision.  Tony and Game On was already with the Provider from a few weeks ago.  My friend Bob Hixson was not able to make this trip.

Both private planes arrived at Constitution at 4:30pm.  Young military men armed immediately greeted us at this landing strip, although friendly--they checked every bag we had before giving us the ok to board our vans for the one hour car ride to San Carlos.  It's been a good 7 years since I've been through Constitution, this town has grown substantially.  One thing has not changed once we got to port was the commercial boats of all sizes and shape, jumping across rusted cockpits to board brought back memories from trips down in this zone from decades ago.  Seeing Captain Rich Austin and the 33 game boat Bodacious from the Provider was a welcomed sight.  By the way, Rich is simply a stud.  He runs this program as well as anyone possibly can.  More on the PacPro later....







Tom Ramirez, Hercules owner.  Also on Hercules is Mario, Gene, Chuck, Bill, Pete, and Dick.


Ride on Bodacious to Pacpro from San Carlos.  Notice Ron's shirt...


Pam and Drew, outstanding people that care about everything you do. 

Cheers from Tom and Mario of Hercules

Every morning waking up to this, plus box lunches ready to go on every boat, then dinner until you blow up...

Bandit Meeting...
Lassley and our secret weapon



Photo James Nugent


Hercules at sunrise.



Photo by James Nugent.  Corey all smiles with Bandit's Blue marlin flag going up












We fished 3 days in breezy weather, the fishing was good but very different from a typical year in this Mag Bay zone.  Lacking is the usual bait balls chased by birds, seal, whales and massive amounts of game fish such as the Striped Marlin (they were all 160 miles north at Abreojos).  Instead, an awesome opportunity for a late season November Blue/Black marlin bite at Latitude 24/25. Sure the Striper action would have been great for our group, but for me personally Blue and Blacks are what we travel thousands of miles to catch off season, so all good.  Robert Ross starts it off with a 500 lb Blue and 300 lb class Yellowfin that he released prior to the tournament starting on Thursday, our group ended up with a total of 4 blue marlin, 3 Black marlin, and misc catches of Wahoos, Dorados (plentiful), and Yellowfins with Bandit topping the scales at 83 lbs during the tournament fishing days.  Luck continued for me this season, after catching 2 nice Blacks with Corey at Cabo, I was fortunate enough to add 2 more nice blues to our season--A 401 and 472 Blue Marlin.  The 401 was the longest Blue Marlin fight ever for me, one hour and 20 minutes, this fish was tough.  104 short with a 54 girth and 16.5 tail trunk and built like a tank, stayed upright the entire time and did switch backs constantly, even when it was on leader.  Kingsmill decided to wire his first blue, it destroyed him at the boat but the tough little policeman hung on and did an outstanding job.  Pretty funny seeing Jimmy holding on for his life, Jimmy was wound up waiting for an hour to wire her, looked like he was ready for UFC.  By the way, Steve had an outstanding year despite the whale thing with 49 Blue/Black marlin for they year.  Not bad for a California boy that runs a private program without the 200 day charter opportunity.  Badger is on her way up to San Diego, I hope Steve get's one more to make it an even 50 for the year.

This was also my first trip aboard the Pacpro as mothership outside of the country, I can't relate to anyone that is considering to join as a member how well this club/program is operated.  I know I am biased, but the reality/truth is this club is unbelievable.  The staff is outstanding, super well trained in customer service.  You can't even ask for a drink and it's already given to you.  Roll out of bed at 5:30am, the dining room is ready with pastries, hot coffee, fresh fruit, yogurt, and if you have a seat there is eggs, bacon, toast, etc.  It's 6am on Monday morning back at home now, wish I was back on Pacpro.  The service and hospitality is simple superb.  We topped it off by watching the pay for view HBO fight on Saturday night with all the boys, it was just a great time. 

Can't wait until next year.  Thank you Captain Rich and the outstanding crew of the mighty Pacpro.

Anthony