Had a company trip with Bongos charters today. At the dock we settled on a game plan to give the yellowtail at Catalina a real quick check-in, and then go look for the small-mid sized bluefin that have been offshore.

Out of the marina at 0500.

A bit of wind churning up some chop through the night but a relatively flat ride out.

Got to the spot at Cat and the fish were around but not hungry. We gave it about 20 minutes, I got the skunk off with a schmedium calico, and then we booked it.

We was lookin', lookin', then the hunters became the hunted.



Thankfully the boat was boarded last week, so they did a quick check on the boat information over the radio and we only lost about 5 minutes.

We put out the mad macs and not 10 minutes goes by before we're bit! We were taking turns cranking with the rod in the holder, I took the first shift and it felt better than the 5-25lbers they were talking about.

Thankfully put the fish in the boat. Solid 50lb class fish.



We get going again then the other rod goes off, ~30lb fish comes over the rail.

Then we got called in to a bite on sardines! We pull up and I was using a #4 Mutu light, as I was told the smaller circles have been getting bit good. Never used the hook before but I was excited to outfish everyone. 2 casts in and I'm the first bit! Engage the lever drag, a few seconds of a solid run and pop! Ay!!!!! I reel in and the hook is f@ckin straightened out. That was dumb. Switched to the boat's collection of thicker gauge circles. I did not get another bite. Kevin picked off a 25#er though. Lesson learned for me!

We ran out of bait pretty quick, and started on the mad mac troll again. We went over a real nice stack of tuna 100' down and at least 20 fish thick, and like clockwork the rod went off 20 seconds later. A 40#er.

We got one more bite that came unbuttoned mid-fight. I was telling everyone before how they shouldn't take for granted going 3/3 on mad macs. 3/4 is still a great day trolling for bluefin.



Back at the dock around 1730. My arm is sore. I have plenty of bluefin waiting to be vacuum packed.

GO GET'EM!

We need some good fish pictures to gawk over.

- Keith

It's here and there's an ungodly amount of big fish everywhere!

Sheeps are a nice changeup on the dinner plate. Looks fun.

Payoff! Nice fish!

43 is quite a local fish...

Quote from: Latimeria on September 18, 2025, 04:32:05 PMIt's always a great report when you head up north.  That water level is LOW!  I do love that geology up there though.  Damn cool formations.


I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger since I got invited up to Washington for some Salmon, Halibut, Steelhead, Lingcod, and Rockfishing for a week in October.

Good luck up there, sounds like a blast and hopefully the weather cooperates. Knowing you, I predict some Exotic Monster   

It's always a great report when you head up north.  That water level is LOW!  I do love that geology up there though.  Damn cool formations.


I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger since I got invited up to Washington for some Salmon, Halibut, Steelhead, Lingcod, and Rockfishing for a week in October.

 Well, Bad Pig was recovering from Surgery and I needed a break so I loaded up the Hearse and headed to Bishop and Mammoth for 5 days. The traffic started backing up just North of Elsinore


A local Volcano is always cool to see, lots of Lava Rock all around and I'm sure Tom would be in heaven looking for Artifacts


Coming into The Owens Valley the smoke was pretty thick from a fire brewing on the other side


I hit a favorite spot before I got to Bishop and landed a Brown on a Hookup Bait



I goofed around here and there and didn't catch much so I hit the Grocery Store before heading up the hill to the house. Time to cook up the goods to make Breakfast Burritos for the next few days



Thursday I hit a cool spot I like to fish before my buddy showed up. This place has some cool scenery and I usually do pretty good here. The crowds were gone and apparently so were the fish   I landed one here and that was it.



I stumbled upon this bird, not sure what kind, Hawk or Eagle but he had his wings spread like he was drying them and they were an easy 8'   I whistled at him and he walked across the log. then I noticed his buddy on a stump, I assumed they were fishing or bathing but it was cool to see so close up, Mother Nature is very cool !   



My buddy showed up and we drove all over and threw some lures but the water levels were down and the Skunk was on



Friday was Pre-fishing for the Tournament so we took the Pontoon out on Lake Crowley The Lake is really low




Fun day on the lake and then a Storm rolled in and it rained for about 10 minutes.





This place is a Fly Fisherman's Paradise, so this is a normal sight everywhere up here.


We put the Pontoon in a slip for overnight and then signed up for the Tournament and got ready for Saturday, the big day




Saturday morning we are on the water before 7am and it was foggy



The sun came up and it was a beautiful day. My friends were hooked up pretty quick on the Fly Rods and the excitement set in




When someone hooks up, they raise a red flag and a Ref. comes over and measures the fish (points based on size) The fish must remain in the net and in the water.



I didn't pay the $125 entry fee cause I ain't no Fly Fisherman   I tossed around a Hookup Bait and caught a couple Rainbows and that was it. Still a fun day on the water the Tournament was over at 1pm so we headed back to the festivities Cool scenery back to the dock.




Food was served and the Raffle and Prizes were handed out, we stuck around to eat and chit chat for a bit but we didn't win anything. It was fun just to be a part of an Annual Tournament and seeing how different things are up here, it's all about Flies and they take it SERIOUS !






Between the Lake and Tim's house is a Bar at Tom's Place, Historical Landmark, Just just like JoJo the Bartender, she has been here for 45 years   Not much of a Dental Plan but she is a nice lady and takes care of the locals. I don't drink so she kept me hydrated with Club Soda




Sunday morning I headed back home, but I just had to make a Pit Stop along the way





Calamari and Fries to hold me over for the last leg of the journey home


Time to put miles on my truck so I can resume towing The Cyclops !

Wow, 43# is a quite respectable   I wonder how big they get here locally but something tells me you will show all of us pretty soon

Wow, Sea Tow was the first thing I saw!  haha, nice whaler!

Bummer on the low counts, but not too shabby.  Only 12 more days until the deepwater rockfish season opens which will surely be limit style fishing.

Keep the reports coming!