Islander Report. 6/7/08

[Dan]

Lunch: Flatbread grilled chicken tacos with secret sauce, guacamole, and killer salsa and a layer of griddled cheese stuck to the outside of the flatbread, served with blackbeans and a dollop of sour cream, snack was a fresh baked crumbly top coffee cake.

Dinner: Started off with freshbaked football sized loaf of bread and butter, zesty creamed corn soup and then a big helping of pork tenderloin topped with mango chutney and steamed asparagus and wild rice on the side. Dessert was a fresh baked carrot cake with cream cheese frosting topped with sliced almonds.

And, they had Sierra Nevada.

[Iceman]

Thank you Rachel Rey:D:D:D

[FISHIONADO]

NF@TS? Got any tackle recommendations for the trip next week?

[f'nsabiki]

alright, I think you are leaving out the most important detail----did they have milk to go with the cake?????:)

[Dan]

NFITS. Just wasn't very fishy. Water was turned over from all the wind and swell, no bait around, was able to make one lone spanish mac, but the sardines on the boat were healthy.

The gap between north and south island provided some shelter from the wind and kicked out about 7 halibut for the group.

I mostly stayed out deep around 100ft looking for marks to yo yo on, and trolling and fishing deep sardines. nada.

My only fish was a calico on the sabiki. Lots of skunks and plenty of one calico fisherman.

Big fat gill net was set up near the southern end of the island near the tuna pens which was really a bummer to discover after fishing there all day...

Crew was good and took good care of us.

[PescadorPete]

Weather was up, swell from the north mixed with wind from the south. Boiler rocks with breaking sets. The washing machine in the gap was exciting. Weather layed down in the PM so it can be nice there. Tried a few things and the best game in town ended up being flatties. Bring the usual gear, bass, halibut, YT, an appetite and a thirst. It was fun fishing with everyone, I had a good time.

You can't beat the Islander crew -- #1 in service. Lunch, cerveza, bait just a radio call away.

[Corey]

Despite the wind & swell, it was business as usual for the Islander crew, Top notch service all the way from loading & unloading the kayaks to the gourmet food to beer & bait delivery service.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/P1010102.JPG

Due to the wind we were limited in range and forced to stay tucked in on the w/nw side of south island. After a few hours of unproductive fishing in 40-90' of water, I decided to follow the captain, Jason's tip of trying the area between the islands for halibut. After pulling the hook on what felt like a really nice one, I managed a 15#er on my 2nd drift in 18' on a sardine on the bottom. After radioing the guys to let them know, I managed a 7#, which was followed over the course of the day by 5 others, caught by the rest of the group, ranging from 5#- 27#. Also several calicos & a few lings were caught.

I wish I had taken more pics, but between fishing & repositioning against the wind, I only got a few:

The tip of S. Island w/ Punta Banda in the background
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/P1010104.JPG

Moyer & Rhyno w/ north island in the background
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/P1010103.JPG

The islands are not too big& I really think if it had been less windy, we could have covered the entire circumference of the islands if we were so inclined & probably found a better variety, but we worked with what we were given & made the best of it.

Hopefully others took some more pics & can post 'em up.

All in all it was a really fun trip & most everybody stuck it out throughout the day despite the wind & swell. Thanks again to the Islander crew for goin the extra mile as usual.

[kurt]

I only caught one fish but still had a great time, despite the conditions, due to the Islander crew and my fellow anglers. Tough conditions and tough fishing rarely prove fatal. Congrats to all who got some nice halibut, and thanks to OEX which provided some outstanding raffle prizes. Islander + OEX = first rate trips.

[bajadog]

Thanks for the report all, and the pix Corey.

[madscientist]

My one excitement was hooking something big in the kelp on a plastic on the bass rod. Big fish, swam lazily under me, then felt me tugging and took off. On my way to getting spooled so I thumbed it it and broke it off. Probably a WSB, maybe a black.

Great group and the usual excellent service and food from the boat. Conditions were mediocre, otherwise we could have done a bit more I suspect.

[tylerdurden]

Not much to add. Thanks again to the Islander, crew and cook. They were awesome again. Also thanks to the great group on board, makes the trip that much better. Some good fish caught with a few lost. Let's see the pics Josh :cheers1: . It sounds like a few yt, wsb, or bsb were hooked but none made it aborad. Like everyone else said if the wind is down we could cover a lot more ground. The 8-12' :eek: swells just added some extra excitement.

[Bill Lane]

Toni and I found a couple of boni up at the north end. He farmed one at the boat and I released mine. We left because the wind pushing us out to sea and the swell bufffeting us around was just too exhausting. When we found that the fishing was slow everywhere, Scott and I paddled back up there after lunch por nada. Still, it was a great trip. The crew was AWESOME and the food OUTSTANDING! :cheers1:

[steveooo]

Thanks for the report. Sorry the weather didn't cooperate for you. Looks like a totally fishy place and the Islander crew and outfit look first class. I'm on one of these trips for sure next year!:the_finger:

[Zed]

I recognize those conditions.
Thanks

[esdees]

Thanks again to the Islander crew. That was a great trip.

[rastrev]

I tried heading outside early, there were a lot of scattered birds working out there, and I got picked up on a weighted sardine, felt like the right kind, but the hook didn't stick, could of just been a big bonie though, I worked the same area for a half hour or so, for nothing else, saw a sealion tearing up a small mola. Anyways, the wind was so bad I deciced to join everyone else in the sheltered area between the two islands. Seemed like a place that could be really good under better conditions, I would go back, especially with the Islander crew. The sport fleet out of Ensenada was set up between south island and punta banda, I'm sure that's where the yellows were, we just couldn't get there. At least it was a good group of guys on the boat and the beers were cold. :cheers:

[lamb]

Doesn't sound too shabby!

Glad to hear you guys had a good time. :cheers1:

[Rhyno1]

Yes the wind was on us early, yes we tucked in and made a day of it. Very nice to finally fish with many of you. Another fun trip, even if it was slow. So nice to get away and have a whole day to fish the yak in a remote location. Get onto one of the Islanders trips! If you have never experienced one you are in for a treat! Thanks to OEX and the crew, cant wait to go back! TL Rhyno

[tylerdurden]

OEX stepped up with some nice raffle swag, thanks guys :luxhello:. I would go back to Todos again. I would be interested in going just about anywhere the Islander is willing to take a kayak. Now if we could just get great weather or great fishing on one of these adventures :doh:.

I didn't take many pics, too busy paddling. Here are a few that almost came out in focus:

Just a little swell
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r203/evilclone619/IMG_3713.jpg

The same rocks from a distance
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r203/evilclone619/IMG_3712.jpg

In the gap between the islands
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r203/evilclone619/IMG_3710.jpg



http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r203/evilclone619/IMG_3716.jpg

The kayak fleet with the Islander
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r203/evilclone619/IMG_3718.jpg

[yakrider]

Another top notch adventure from the Islander crew...
these guys really know how to do the mothership thing...
great food, great service, great locations, great fishing...
I cannot wait for the next outing...
loading at the the Fisherman's...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6060034.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6060035.jpg
we woke to a little bit of
wind and some very large swells...not real choppy, just big swells...
I actually got really dizzy bending over looking down while
rigging my yak for launch...I caught one calico and one rock fish throwing a swim bait on the boat while waiting to launch...
the fishing was actually pretty slow all morning...couldn't even buy a bite...
guys were fishin the kelp, reefs, out deep lookin' fer yellers...nobody
was gettin' chit...I think one or two guys had a good fish on the line,
but nothing stuck...finally around 9:30 or so I managed one 2 lb calico around a boiler rock...then around 10 or so we hear Cory say on the radio,
"I got a halibut, you guys should come over here"...it wasn't untill his second butt that some of us listened and decided joined him over in the butt hole... :shock:
oh...wait a minute...that didn't come out right...oh well...
right around noon, after only one calico and absolutely no other bites of any kind...I finally got bit...
just as I got my butt secured, Moyer gets one, too...
mine was right at 23",
and Matts was probably 29" or 30" or so...
here's me 'n' Matt holding our butts... :lol:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070038.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070039.jpg
here's brother Rhino and Matt enjoying the day...
this is the south end of the north island...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070043.jpg
here's the south island...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070047.jpg
around lunch time, the captain was asking us if we wanted to keep
fishing there or make the move to Punta Banda, he informed us
that with the wind a swell the way it was that there was the
probability that it would be un-fishable...we took quick vote
and even though the fishing had
been painfully slow most of the day, the vote was unanimous to stay...
little did I know that...(for me)...it was to be a great decision...
headed back to the mothership for lunch...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070045.jpg
we had a really delicious lunch consisting of these yummy cheesy gordita,
chiken filled, guacamole oozin', black bean works of art...
un-real...
right after lunch, I paddled back over towards "the butt hole" where Matt and I had hooked our butts...
I retied a new 15 lb flouro leader as it was
a bit tattered from the first butt...
about 100 feet from the marked spot...
I sent down the mother of all sardines...this thing was 8 " long...
like a small trout...he was down ther for about 5 minutes...
doing his little sardine thing that they do down there...
a halibut call of sorts I reckon...
so I just a creepin' a long draggin' da dine and al of the sudden...
THUNK...I think to myself..."now that was a bite"...I stopped...
put the rod tip down to the water so's not to move the bait...wait...wait....nuthin'...wait...wait some more...
c'mon fishy...bite dat mo fo...I figured this...
she's either swallowed it or she's gone...
so I slooowwwwly start to reel up the slack...slooowwwwly...
feels heavy...
REEEELLLL...FAST...REEEEELLLL....FISH ON...
the fish had picked it up and was swimming towards me...
she ate that big ol' dine in one breath...
this slow day was picking up to say the least...
say hello to my new personal best...
she was 40.5'" and 27 lbs...hello
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070051.jpg
what a day...not a whole lotta fish but some darn good ones...
brother Jeff managed to get in on the butt action, too...
Jeff, holding his butt...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070053.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070057.jpg
we all fished hard for the rest of the day for more of the
same slowness and no more fish...I managed one sculpin
for about four more hours of fishing...right around 6:15
or so I figured maybe it's time to call it a day...
just for kicks...I thought I would tie on a #2 flyliner hook
with a 1/2 oz egg sinker and drag a dine back while chuckin' a blue and white yo yo iron out ahead for the remote chance of
Mr yeller showin' up...
Mr yeller never showed...
but Mr Bonehead did...he hammered the yo yo
on the fast retrieve about 10-15 feet from the surface...7.5 ber...
my first bone from the yak...woohooo....
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070063.jpg
that was fun so I kept at it for another half hour or so,
chuckin' da iron and draggin' da dine and all of the sudden...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ....the dine gets whacked...
my second yak bone...8 lbs even...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070067.jpg
after a long hard day of fishin'and a hot shower...
the Islander provided us with antother fine meal
with a corn chowder soup warm up, fresh home
baked cheese bread, pork loin with mango salsa, veggies and rice, and
home made carrot cake for dessert...another fine trip...
I'd like to throw out a special thanks to Cory for putting us on
the butts...Thanks Cory!!!:cheers1: :notworthy:
and to OEX for all the great raffle stuff...you guys rock...:you_rock:
and I'll leave you with this "holy crap" shot of me and my new PB...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t307/yakrider519/P6070073.jpg

[bajadog]

You guys made lemonade with the lemons mother nature gave you!!!:you_rock:


Any chance to get a mothership trip to Isla San Martin?

[Shorty]

Fantastic reports and the bonus is the fish will have grown bigger in time for the next trip.:)

[lambadmin]

wow Josh, you are really getting into the big brown thing...

CONGRATS!!! :cheers1:

[yakrider]

wow Josh, you are really getting into the big brown thing...

CONGRATS!!! :cheers1:

yeah...I never imagined I be lookin' for "butt holes"....DOH...

[DESTROYER]

WTG Josh! You were the hot stick of the day. I had a blast meeting you and fishing with you. Great report.

Matt

[Blair]

Great report. I have not been on my Yak in awhile but i am looking forward to the trip leaving the 15th!

[esdees]

I only have one picture to add. It provides a good indication of the service you'll get with the Islander. I was off fishing for halibut when this arrived via the zodiac.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q180/esdees/IMGP1984.jpg

[nmbrinkman]

My one excitement was hooking something big in the kelp on a plastic on the bass rod. Big fish, swam lazily under me, then felt me tugging and took off.


Someone might want to call Brad and tell him someone is posting under his account. We all know Brad doesn't bass fish.:p

[sbsyncro]

Just thought I'd chime in and add a few more pictures and thoughts from the trip. Overall, I'd call it a "bust" for me for a couple of reasons, none of which had anything to do with the boat, the crew, or the program in general.

The boat is set up wonderfully for this type of trip, and has been mentioned many times, the crew was really great. I also really enjoyed the chance to meet everyone and learn so much about this sport that is still relatively new to me (not quite a year now). Seeing the way everyone had their yaks rigged was especially fascinating for me, and definitely got me thinking about a few new ideas.

Yea, the weather definitely could have been better, but the sun did poke out its head for a bit in the afternoon and then the wind laid down some in the late afternoon. Here's a shot of the early morning weather, just after paddling away from the boat:
http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen/100170/IMGP1406/web.jpg


And another shot looking back toward the mainland - those kelp beds were holding a lot of fish according to the marks on the FF, but they just didn't want to answer the door when I knocked for some reason...
http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen/100170/IMGP1413/web.jpg


Shot of the North Island just above the little beach where there was a panga and a fishing shack:

http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen/100170/IMGP1414/web.jpg

Yes, we did finally see a bit of sun in the late afternoon:

http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen/100170/IMGP1415/web.jpg


The "Death Zone" between the North and South Islands was breaking pretty good, which as was mentioned, prevented us from being able to paddle around the islands and fish the other side...

http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen/100170/IMGP1420/web.jpg


The process of loading and unloading the boat was amazingly easy - again, the crew really jumps all over things and helps out - heck they even carried my kayak ( nicknamed "The Incredible Hulk") all the way up the dock and onto the street practically when we got back.

For those that have not been on the Islander (this was my first boat fishing trip ever), here's a couple of things I learned that I'll keep in mind next time:

1. Don't drink 100 proof bourbon the night before on an empty stomach. :-) After driving down through miserable traffic all the way from Santa Barbara, we just made it in time to load up and spend some time relaxing on the boat before we left. This didn't leave time for a proper dinner, so I think I had a slice of pizza, A couple of Sierra Nevadas, and two stiff shots of Knob Creek. Then, because of the anticipation (and some bizarre recurring work dreams) I didn't sleep all night. I awoke the next morning with the first case of "seasickness" I've had in all my 40+ years. That made for a pretty rough morning of fishing... :doh:


2. Put on a long bow line, and be very careful how your yak gets tied alongside during lunch breaks, etc. I had a short (6'-8') bow line, and my yak ended up being tied so that the boat's bilge pump was pouring directly onto my seat and CrateMate. I tied on a longer line and moved it farther forward and eliminated the problem. We also had pretty heavy swells, and I think there were a couple of cases of slight damage to yaks from the boat coming down on them in the swells - just watch for contact points carefully if you are in a heaving sea and you are tying up along side for lunch, etc.

3. Separate your stuff into two containers/duffels - one for fishing specific stuff (including your paddle jackets, waders, etc) and another for your "clean clothes". Make sure the latter is pretty small. You'll be sharing a cabin with two or three guys and if you bring a big duffel you may end up sleeping with it because there ain't much room to store it in the cabin. A small daypack would be perfect. Sandals for the showers are a good idea, since the floors of the heads tend to get a bit gritty (sand, seawater, etc) after a day at sea. Oh, and you don't need a sleeping bag- there are linens on the bed. Just bring a towel for the shower (which felt SOOO good at the end of the day!)

4. Having all your tackle & tools ready to go in a crate or something like that separate from your yak can make the process of "gearing up" really simple. When your yak comes down off the racks, you just plop your crate onto the yak (that they have placed on an open space on deck) and secure it. Then take your rods and your paddle to the back corner of the boat and tell the crew you are ready to roll. they'll drop your yak in the water, you get in, and they had you your rods and paddle, and some bait. About as easy as it gets!

5. Tag your rods with colored tape or something else to make it easy to find them. Depending on how you fared the night before, you may have some trouble remembering where you put your stuff... :-)

http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen/100170/IMGP1401/web.jpg

Other thoughts about this particular trip:
Bottom line, Todos Santos just didn't seem very fishy while we were there - it was cold, windy, big swells, and pretty much how I remember lots of spring surfing and diving trips to the Pacific coast of northern Baja when I was a student at UCSB. :rolleyes: In hind sight, it would probably make sense to go later in the season when things warm up a bit (but then of course, you never really know...)

For those with the focus, patience, and expertise to get right to the business of catching halibut it seemed pretty productive, but not amazingly so, IMO. For a fisherman with ADD like me that likes to be hunting more actively (casting for calicos or throwing krocodiles/rapalas/irons into a boil), it was downright dull. In fact I didn't get a single bite until about 4:30 in the afternoon when I had a few aggressive takes and a couple of raked baits. About an hour later I landed my only fish - a 12" sculpin. (damn right I filleted it and took it home!)

http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen/100170/IMGP1429/web.jpg

I think we all worked pretty hard all day long, and for some it paid off nicely, as you can see from the previous shots of nice 'buts. After dinner time, the crowd thinned out REAL quick as I think everyone was pretty beat from paddling into and out of the wind and swells for most of the day. The OEX Schwag Raffle was really cool apparently, and somehow I managed to get first pick on the goodies, coming up with a nice CoD inflatable seat pad, which was pretty good considering that I'd already crashed into my bunk for the night. :o

When we arrived back at the landing on Sunday morning, again the crew was awesome about helping get everything off the Islander. I don't think it took more than about 30 minutes for me to get all my stuff off and to my truck in the parking lot a short walk away (a very reasonable $5 a day for parking). I have to say, though that it was a bit disheartening claiming my puny little Sculpin fillet on the dock surrounded by carts full of 50# yellowtail coming off the other longer range boats! :banghead:

Frustrated with the lack of fishy action, but with a smile on my face nonetheless (grateful to have my appetite back), my buddy Ron and I decided to make the best of what looked like might be a nice Sunday and headed downtown for a big ol' breakfast of Lox, bagels, and eggs before heading over to Tidelands for some bay bass fishing. At LAST, I finally got into some fish and got to try out my new Seeker 706 rod, and also finally caught a flattie for my trip!

http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen/100170/IMGP1432/web.jpg

Ok, so it was a *little short*, but it brightened my spirits and put a bend (albeit a slight one) into the rod. I followed that up with a giant greenback mackerel, and about 12 or 15 spotties and sandies, putting a nice cap on the weekend.

-Brent

[Dan]

2. Put on a long bow line, and be very careful how your yak gets tied alongside during lunch breaks, etc. I had a short (6'-8') bow line, and my yak ended up being tied so that the boat's bilge pump was pouring directly onto my seat and CrateMate. I tied on a longer line and moved it farther forward and eliminated the problem. We also had pretty heavy swells, and I think there were a couple of cases of slight damage to yaks from the boat coming down on them in the swells - just watch for contact points carefully if you are in a heaving sea and you are tying up along side for lunch, etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great write up Brent. Glad you got some Bay redemption.

And I'll second your point #2

The longer bow line is a great call. With little or no swell, it wouldn't have been a problem, but I too suffered major damage well in excess of the trip cost (thank Jebus for West Marine's no hassle return policy) during the lunch break.

[Handymansd]

but I too suffered major damage well in excess of the trip cost (thank Jebus for West Marine's no hassle return policy) during the lunch break.

What happened to your FF?

[madscientist]

One of the other reasons I eat my lunch on the water. Plus, I'm always afraid that if I get off the yak, I won't get back on.

[Dan]

What happened to your FF?

the rocking of the boat in the swells and the position of my kayak while tied up put it in a tough spot. My sonar was knocked off the mount into the deck of my kayak and the bilge pump drain was continuously douching it for an hour - now the temp gauge reads 127 Degrees and if I go into water over 50ft it just goes to pixel hell.

Also, my bait tank got pretty thrashed and the wiring was torn and the tank was toast for the afternoon -- so I just kept the skiff busy bringing me fresh dines :notworthy:

It wasn't the deckhands fault at all, just big seas and shit happens in big seas.

Like I said....WM has the kickin' policy - see you soon Owyn :D

[sbsyncro]

I almost forgot to tell about the run-in we had with the Mexican Navy. Everyone else was still sleeping, but I was up early and caught a quick glimpse what must have been a Mexican Navy Seal right after he boarded the boat before dawn.

Many people have been talking about problems with the Mexican Navy on recent fishing charters... Good thing I speak Spanish, because I was able to answer him calmly when he looked at me and said "Yo Quiero Fish Taco Bell!"

He then slipped off just as I snapped the photo, so I don't think anyone else saw him.

http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen/100170/MEXICANNAVYSEAL1/web.jpg

[Handymansd]

:luxhello::luxhello::luxhello:lollollollollollollo llol:luxhello::luxhello::luxhello:

[bajadog]

I almost forgot to tell about the run-in we had with the Mexican Navy. Everyone else was still sleeping, but I was up early and caught a quick glimpse what must have been a Mexican Navy Seal right after he boarded the boat before dawn.

Many people have been talking about problems with the Mexican Navy on recent fishing charters... Good thing I speak Spanish, because I was able to answer him calmly when he looked at me and said "Yo Quiero Taco Bell!"

He then slipped off just as I snapped the photo, so I don't think anyone else saw him.



That's the first report I read about a real boarding by the MN.:rolleyes:

[Siebler]

Ive been boarded several times on the Chubasco 2. Not really a fun process. All that you can think of is "I sure hope that nobody was stupid and brought something they shouldn't have".

Usually its pretty quick. They'll check permits and maybe the engine room or fish hold then off they go to another boat. Never seen that particular crew member on the team at the Nado's though.