3/4 day boats not fishing back of catalina

confuzshuz · 06-09-2008, 10:47 AM

any idea why 3/4 day-full day boats aren't fishing the back of catalina? they won't even attempt to go there.
went out on tuesday only to find bonito and calicos that fit in my aquarium. Started out at the front of the island and made our way nearly to the back.
Sorta waste of money if you ask me. I'd rather get skunked targeting yellow and wsb than getting bonito, calicos that fit in my aquarium, and funny looking short cudas.
I thought overnighters go to clemente islands / san nicholas, while 3/4-full day boats hit the good spots at the islands?
I don't know, but something smells kinda fishy if you ask me.

Yakman · 06-09-2008, 10:56 AM

Yeah I know why, and where some 1-2 days are..but cant' tell! LOL
Some nights though, even they can't GET to the "outer islands" too windy!

The 3/4 days have been fishing the now wide open Barracuda bite
off Dana Point as well as White Seabass to 42lbs (Freelance Sat.)
The LA...LB, Redondo boats getting some action at Horseshoe too-that!

I too was at Cat fishing the entire backside of Cat for aquarium sized
Calicos and Bones, and if not for an hour at the Farnsworth for Reds and
big Whitefish,would have ended up like all the other 3/4, 1 day, even 6pack boats, with NADA a few days lately at Cat. Last Sat-even worse!
It's the talk of many Captains and fellow veteran fishermen now. What next? Hopefully better days ahead with steady warmer water and calmer conditions! Good Luck!

Island Girl · 06-09-2008, 10:56 AM

If you're referring to this past weekend, it was pretty rough. I was on an overnight boat and we only went to Catalina, because it was pretty rough getting to San Clemente. Winds earlier in the week had left a pretty big swell, turned the water over worse at SCI that at Cat, and turned the water cold again. The skipper on our boat talked to some of the boats that did go to SCI, and it was pretty dead...

We didn't even try to go around to the back side on Saturday. I guess it was pretty rough even there. Once a big swell has come through and turn the water over it pretty well shuts the bite down. So most of the boats probably stayed in the lee of the island, where there was a chance the water might still be a little warmer.....

jephs422 · 06-09-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by confuzshuz

I'd rather get skunked targeting yellow and wsb than getting bonito, calicos that fit in my aquarium, and funny looking short cudas.

The only problem with that is; no fish=no tips. Captains are there to make money, and he has to make his best attempt to put some fish in the sacs. If he goes out and targets yellows or WSB and get's schooled, the likely hood of tips is poor and there is no money for fish cleaning. If you want to go big or go home, try an overnighter, or talk to the landing BEFORE booking to fisd out what they are targeting specifically. Some trips are booked as WSB specials, or Yellowtail specials.

Good luck on your next trip.

tjs44 · 06-09-2008, 12:54 PM

in general just too far for a 3/4 trip.They usually just fish the avalon to middle.Tom

rsonl541 · 06-09-2008, 01:17 PM

Yeah well there are many reasons... I dont know why though!!

But welcome to the site... A great place to say whats on your mind!!

confuzshuz · 06-09-2008, 10:13 PM

Thanks for the welcome and your inputs.

Jephs422, that makes total sense. I can't believe that didn't even come to mind.
When I went last tuesday, I knew that the boats go to catalina, but made the assumption that they would at least hit the back to check for big game, as all the 3/4-full day boats in the previous years that I know of have done. I was just disappointed when one of the deckhands told me they weren't hitting the back because there were too many boats out there on a Tuesday.
Thanks for the insight guys.

sourcreamnjive · 06-09-2008, 10:46 PM

Don't feel bad local boats 3/4 days in our area aren't doing so well either....full day charters are also hit and miss, overnighters are the best for getting more distance for your $$$.

**ODH33** · 06-10-2008, 10:09 AM

cost of fuel?

**Carnivore** · 06-10-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODH33

cost of fuel?

Would be my guess too. I have heard some 2nd hand scuttle butt that people are getting upset that the long range boats are not running fast enough to get on the grounds to conserve fuel. People are complaining it takes away form fishing time etc.... I would assume the local boats too are looking for ways to conserve some money. I am not implying at all it is intentional to screw the customers so please don't take it that way but hard to make a profit with out increasing pricing that is out of reach of the customer.