Farmer's Daughter - Bongos 7/21

[jrodda]

Got to join my coworkers on a Shimano trip aboard Bongos Sportfishing for a day trip to San Clemente Island. We service their reels, they take us fishing. Pretty nice deal, huh? I couldn't bring my non-Shimano setups so I worked with a loaner Trinidad 16a/Teramar 7' MH rod that I added a 20' 30# topshot for my own personal touch. Of course I would prefer my own setups that are dialed in for me, but can't complain too much about a loaner setup like that.

Hopped aboard the 36' Topaz Express "Bongos II" at 0500, got some scoops of bait at the harbor mouth.

2.5 hour ride to the island. Snotty between Cat and Clemente but pressed ahead at 19kts no problem quartering the 4-6' short period swell. Chopped it up with Captain Mike. He was playing Grateful Dead on the speakers, which couldn't have been a better vibe setter to me for this kind of boat and trip. Seems like a solid dude.

Water flattened out as we got into the shelter of the island.



We were fly lining sardines all day. We also got 3 pompano in the well which was interesting, though I don't think we used them. We were tunnel visioned on Yellowtail for the day. For the newbs, Captain said "pick the bait that makes you feel how the farmer's daughter does." I butt hooked all my bites today and they swam well.

Jared got a nice 4lb class calico right off the jump and I was on top of him with my own skunk buster.



Calicos quickly became 0 points to us when Captain Mike sent a bait out and IMMEDIATELY caught a 20lb class yellow. Oh! Is that what we're doing? He proceeded to get his second bait slammed by another yellow. He said first one was his, second is a handoff. Nobody wanted the handoff so I took it, if just to trial how island yellows fight.

Well, they fight hard. Very active tug of war and I got it in. No pic because that sh!t don't count!

But! I was so beat from horsing that thing. I wanted a break. Lactic acid cool down please. Captain said NO, GET A SARDINE OUT. Yes boss. Boy I hope I don't get bit for at least a few minutes.......my own rod in my own hands this time....zzzzZZZING. f@ck! Very strong initial run. Next thing I know, 4 of us are hooked up. Chaos. I'm spent from the first fish but I GOTTA land MY fish. It went the same way as the first. Dead! Almost same exact size as the first.



Now a breather! Sucked down a near beer then got back on it. By the way, 4 for 4 on those hookups. Is that good?

Then the Fury did us the pleasure of anchoring about 150 yards into our chum line. Bite died. They didn't get anything. They left. Thanks!

Jared was steaming. I think he missed his one yellow bite. Couldn't get a bait to swim for sh!t. Felt bad for him. Everybody had one to their name now, minus Danny, who started the morning yakking and hadn't gotten better.

Moved to another spot for a fresh start. Didn't have too much bait left, but made the most of it. Pablo!



Then Jared!!!



Pablo lost that one, but Jared got his! They were all in that 20lb class.

Danny was somewhere down below deck slowly dying when Captain hooked another yellow. Felt small, got Danny on it. Then it got bigger. Slowly grew until it hit the deck as the biggest fish of the day, somewhere around 30lbs perhaps?

Deckhand Cole got the honor of landing a smaller one at this spot as well. Pretty incredible that everyone got one today.









Left the island early and satisfied. Good vibes and better weather on the way back. Ran into a foamer that turned out to be enormous mackerel, probably mixed in with bonito but Pablo caught the macks. Continued home and we were off the boat by 1500. Plenty of meat to go around.

Bongos Sportfishing with Captain Mike aboard is two thumbs up. This was my first time on an express type hull which was interesting to note the ride characteristics. Pretty nice ride, certainly an upgrade from the Mosquito. Couldn't ask for a better day of fishing, especially the fact that everyone got a piece of the action. Can't wait for next year's trip.

[Latimeria]

SOLID yellowtail fishing!  I remember when that looked like a normal day in La Jolla, but those days are long gone or on the rare side it seems.

I have to admit.  I'd love to see you roll onto the boat with your TEMU reel with a Tady 45 tied on.  That would have made some memories.  lol   

Bravo boss!  Nice island fishing!

[KogaHead]

Jeez, you gotta hit the gym dude. Nice yellows.

[vdisney]

Totally stoked for you guys, that's a great trip.  I like YT much better than YFT, ya did good young man

[Tim524]

Nice trip for sure, still waiting to get my first YT, hopefully soon !

Catching one on your own gear has to be a great feeling, then feeling ''WORKED'' afterwards has to be an even better feeling !!

Congrats on a fun trip, fresh YT BBQ coming soon  LoL

[Pinoyfisher]

What a great day of YT fishing! As beat as I get fighting fish, I'm never too tired to not cast out another bait or, usually in my case, a surface iron.