Channel Islands Billfish Tournament: September 10th-14th

Day 1 (9/10/16)

First day was very slow. we didn’t see any marlin all day. However, we got to enjoy a great sunrise, searched the waters high and low, then had a great sunset. Spent the night at Cat Harbor, Catalina. Caught bait as well as some sleep.

Day 2 (9/11/16)

We started the morning trolling around the West end and caught a few yellowtail and Bonita for Ceviche. Oops the alternator on the generator went out causing us to loose power to the Ice maker, freezer, stove, and of course coffee. This caused an unexpected delay in Avalon harbor. The crew diligently cleaned the boat and kept watch while I took the Catalina Express back to the main land for a part.

Day 3 (9/12/16)

Back fishing Monday after 24hr delay. The crew didn’t mind the overnight in Avalon. They got to enjoy a few sights, enjoy restaurants and the local watering hole The Marlin Club. We set out for another day at sea. Fished around the East end of Catalina and over to San Clemente Island. Weather was a little cold and very windy. We saw some bluefin tuna as we were making the crossing to San Clemente and started flying the kite with the Yummy bait. This was a first time event (flying the kite for Bluefin Tuna). We didn’t catch one but Ryan had one take a strike at it. Had a great sunset and spent the night at San Clemente Island. Had another awesome meal (thanks Mark) while spending the night on anchor at Pyramid cove. Mark put out his well engineered home made squid lights and the boys caught squid for the next few hours. It was tough catching them because the seals kept coming through and chasing the squid away.

Day 4 (9/13/16)

We woke up at 4:00am to the Navy asking all boats to leave the South end of San Clemente Island because they intended to shoot it in the morning. Everyone was a little disappointed because their website showed that it was going to be open to boaters. Oh well, it’s their island anyway.
So we had to move down the island and out of the future shooting range. We saw a lot of bluefin tuna on the fish finder and a few on the surface, but they didn’t want to bite. Luckily the yellowtail weren’t afraid to eat today. Eric caught a very nice 27.4# Yellowtail, a few others, several bonita and a few Calico Bass. A low pressure front was pushing through and we had a few squalls pass threw. One just dumped on us right after Eric got his Yellowtail, at least it washed the blood off the deck with fresh water. Finished the day at San Clemente and headed back to the Isthmus at Catalina for the night. We got a mooring and got to spend a relaxing evening. Mark made Ribeye steaks for us that were outstanding. The sky cleared up and we had stars and moonlight that you just don’t get to see when you are on land.

Day 5 (9/14/26)

Up at 3:40am (Thanks Mark) and off to the Osborne bank to try to fish the morning bite. We saw the bluefin all over the area southwest of the high spot but could not get them to bite. We tried to fly the kite for them but we had no wind and the troll speed was just to slow to keep the kite and bait in the air. we needed lighter kite rigging. Indeed up fishing on up the ridge from SBI to Anacapa island. We saw a ton of life with dolphins, sharks, seals, whales but no Marlin. made our way in to the harbor at 3:30pm with 30 minutes to spare for the weigh in of our target fish. Eric’s 27.4 yellowtail is in the running for the largest non marlin fish prize of the tournament.