baitcast
Super Nomad
Posts: 1785
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: kingman AZ.
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Guadalupe Island 1963.....A fishin story
Long range fishing trips were still in its infancy in the early 60,s A run down to san martin island was a big deal which just off the coast of san
quintin.
When I heard of trips to such far away places as Cedros,San Benito and fabled Quadalupe islands I knew I had to go somehow,but making 1.90$ an
hour married two kids would be somewhat of a problem.
Two of my friends expressed an interest in going with me while sitting around drinking one day,but they had the same problem no money,as I remember a
seven day trip was a whopping 500$ and I had maybe 20$ I could spare,we considered all of our options and decided we couldn,t make it next week but
one year from that day ,the summer of 63 we would make it to the promised land Guadalupe island.
The boats back then were mostly 65' or a little longer and not set up for crreature comforts but who gives a damn we,re going fishin,the boat we ened
on was the first red rooster a converted coast something or other out of San Diego, it was beautiful just sitting there waiting for us to climb
aboard,to this day I remember how excited I was just looking at it.
We took off about midnight with all the gear we owned and could borrow from other friends,very little sleep that night ,had visions of monster tuna
,huge moss-backs,black sea bass as big as cars just waiting for me,I had been planning,working and dreaming of this for a year.
Sitting on bow the next day,we heard the captain talking about the big bluefin they had been taking,people getting spooled by unknown monsters,reels
blowing up,which was not to uncommon in those days,sideplates flying off it sounded all to wonderful
We arrived about two am the next morning,everyone was sleeping but me and my budds,we were ready for anything,on the stern we found one guy getting a
bait in the water,a bonita 5#or 6#!!!! his rod was a big pool Q with a 9/0 or 10/0 penn reel ,"my god what do you think your going to catch with that
outfit" I asked he looked at me and smiled" anything that happens to be down there",before the trip was over he caught a 350# black sea bass,he had
been here before.
Dawn broke and we made for the south end, I heard the skipper say they had been getting some big bluefin here,having never taken a bluefin I was
nearly overcome with excitment,remembering the pic,s of bluefins over 1000#I had seen,sure enough I heard a couple of reels howling close by,when is
it my turn? then it happened a pick up,my first bluefin and he was headed for the tip of Baja doing 40 knots and I was smiling
Bluefin are becoming very scarce around the world and that is a shame for I believe he is the most noble of saltwater fishes,not as exotic as a
yellowfin or a roosterfish.nor will he jump and waste his energy like the marlins........but for sheer speed,power,endurance and let us not forget
size.
Two more parts guys,we will get into the catching later.
BAITCAST
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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I remember the Red Rooster trips from the early 60's. They all came back with yellowtail in the 40-50 pound range. Was I jealous! I couldn't get one
at Catalina from the partyboats no matter what.
I'm looking forward to reading about the action you experienced.
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baitcast
Super Nomad
Posts: 1785
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: kingman AZ.
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Actually Igor the bluefin were the target fish for the trip,but at the landing they assured us that if the bluefin did not cooperate there would be
some other fish we could kill some time with
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vagabond
Junior Nomad
Posts: 27
Registered: 1-13-2006
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Brings back memories of our 5 1/2 day trip in 69 on the old H&M 85/Salty Dog
All the way down to San Pablo Bay stopping at Cedros to make bait
at 2:30 in the morning.
Those were the Days
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3825
Registered: 2-9-2004
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They're still there if you can afford the trip. In Fish Rap this week, Red Rooster III reported tuna cow catch - 250 lbs - a 15-day trip.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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wow
i can feel your excitement as a youngster. i had a couple of friends and we had the same idea in the early 80's, only our target was uncrowded surf
down Oaxaca way....... we did end up on a panga during one of the trips and boated
two 15# bluefin and a 10# dorado.....fed the boys for days!!!!
thanks for the reminder!!!!!!!
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