“As far as a story goes,” said the report from American Angler January 28, “we think that it would be near impossible to conjure up one like this much less than to see it happen right before everyone's eyes. We have watched the tackle change over the years, been to many exotic places in search of yellowfin tuna, been on some of the great big tuna trips over the last 25 years and have witnessed countless epic battles, both won and lost but yesterday proved that we will never see it all.“The story pretty much starts where yesterday left off. We have been talking about Charlie Iwashita every day on deck just because of his extraordinary display of selflessness throughout the trip. About a week ago after boating a few nice fish, Charlie hooked another fish and passed it off to another fellow angler that was down on his luck without even thinking twice about it.
“While this angler was fighting that particular fish Charlie proceeded to hook and land a 322-pound giant. Yesterday, you already know if you have been following the story; he boated a fish over 200 pounds in the morning and when he hooked another fish, he knew without thinking the right thing to do would be to help the last person aboard that had not yet landed a ‘heavy.’ That ended with the success story of Bobby Gene Gott landing an amazing 311-pound fish. Charlie was as stoked as Bobby and we struggle to think of as many examples of good deeds that we have been fortunate enough to witness.
“That brings us to today which was also our last day of fishing. We woke up in the morning in the right place because it was shortly after grey light when we began to see fish gather around us. Even though they showed excellent both visually and on the fish finding equipment, the fish were very hard to hook. We picked away on good grade fish between 100 and 160 pounds.
“Because of yesterday's big fish, we all knew the next bait could be the one, the bait to hook a cow. It was about mid afternoon when Charlie hooked a fish on an Avet 50, heavy line and a sardine. The fish shook his head, made a few short runs and then decided to go. It didn't take long to empty the reel and we attached a buoy and an 80-sized reel filled with spectra and we threw the original rig in the water.
“A few minutes later, we realized that the fish was not stopping and we scrambled to grab another backup rig. This time we attached one of our own 50 W reels to another float rig. The fish still did not stop and we rushed to make another backup rig which came together right in the nick of time. Our 50 W was almost at the knot when we threw that one in the water attached to another 80-sized reel. Amazingly, the fish was still running and the line on the third backup was disappearing at a steady rate.
“Decision time. Do we pull the anchor and risk everybody else's chance at a shot to hook a cow, or do we throw another thousand-dollar rig in the water when already there are three rigs swimming?
“The whole time we have been keeping the rest of the fleet involved in our story, when another "do good" event took place. After hearing about Charlie's previous exploits, Captain Justin Fleck of the mighty Excel volunteered to come over in their skiff to take part in the drama. When he arrived Charlie got in the skiff accompanied by Justin and Shawn Steward (he was unquestionably in good hands) and the battle continued.
“It wasn't long before they put the second backup aboard but that's when the work started. A 50w full of spectra took awhile to reel back and when they got to the original backup unbelievably the thing was still hauling butt.
After winding on a full 80-sized reel and getting Charlie's original outfit aboard, the fish was still moving and very much alive. Keeping in radio contact and getting the blow by blow Justin and Shawn both described the fish simply as" mean". They got the fish close three times only to have it rip more line off the reel.
“Finally after 2 hours, they got the fish and started heading back to the boat. Right away everyone wanted to know--how big?
“When we asked, we got the simple reply of, ‘Maybe about 180 or so.’
“We did our best to mask our disbelief with a simple ‘Right on, and have a safe trip back.’
“Everyone on deck and everyone listening on the radio was questioning the truth behind it all and it was answered when they got back and we put the fish aboard the big boat. It was an emotional scene of exuberance when hoisted up on the scale this great fish weighed in at 319 pounds!
The three backups in the water, hooking three 300-pound fish in one trip; all of which we have never seen before, was amazing. The heart that this great fish possessed was bested only by the good karma that is involved with everyone that was involved. The generosity of Justin and the Excel to the unequaled moral values that Charlie has makes this the ultimate feel good story.
“If anyone out there in Internet Fishing Land doesn't get the ‘do good things and good things will happen’ business by now, you probably never will.”
"If anyone out there in internet fishing land doesn't get the 'do good things and good things will happen' business by now, you probably never will."
Copying Cows
Excel skipper Justin Fleck has settled into a good bite on the southern banks. His latest report, dated January 28, shows a good prolonged nibble.
“Pretty much a carbon copy of yesterday here on the lower banks. The tuna showed up at sunrise and stuck with us all day. This is not the kind of fishing where everyone has one on at one time, just a nice steady pick with one to three hanging. We hope we can keep this pace up for a while.”
Took A Look Around“Slow this morning for us,” reported Royal Star skipper Randy Toussaint January 28, “so we opted to go prospecting in search of greener pastures to no avail.
“We managed to scratch on 40 to 90-pounders this afternoon when we got back to our hotspot to somewhat save the day but had no shots at the bigger fish. We are sitting tight tonight in beautiful weather with high hopes for tomorrow.
“Today's shot shows Jerry Nguyen with a 222-pound yellowfin.”
New White Seabass Record
Tom Pfleger of Newport Beach, founder of PIER and the holder of numerous world records over the years, has earned another. The January-February issue of the IGFA’s International Angler noted Tom’s catch of a 51-pound five-ounce white seabass off La Salin, Mexico (sic) on squid and six-pound line gas won him the line class record for the species.
Half-Day Charter or Overnight?
“Bill, I found you in the Feb. issue of Sportfishing Magazine in Tuna Mas! Great article. Could you please suggest a fishing charter for my 14-year old son who is an experienced fisherman. We are visiting Oceanside end of May. I am looking for a $400 half day charter, and regarding boats out of San Diego, I do not know anything about them. I would greatly appreciate your trusty advice. Any suggestions, please? Many thanks.” Kate C. (by email January 28, 2010)
Bill’s Reply
Hi, Kate: I’ll try to answer your question. Most half-day boats are 60 feet or more, and $400 for one might be less than they’re willing to charge. You could try to charter a smaller boat from San Diego at Fisherman’s Landing, Pt. Loma Sportfishing, H&M or maybe Seaforth Sportfishing. Or you could save the money and just buy tickets on a half-day boat in May. They’re usually not too crowded until school gets out in June, although I can’t guarantee it...
I think he might also be able to make two trips aboard overnight boats from San Diego or Oceanside (11 PM to the next evening) for about that much. If yellowtail are biting that might be a good possibility, with bigger fish than are likely on a half-day trip. I hope this helps.