“Today was really enjoyable fishing for yellowfin & bluefin tuna,” posted Independence skipper Jeff DeBuys August 14. “Biting fish throughout the day with the afternoon and morning being the best. The bluefin were up to 90 pounds and some were bigger, I imagine. Picture-perfect weather made the day even better for all. Things look good out here; I hope you all get a chance to get in on this great fishing right now. We are going to give this another look tomorrow.”

Intrepid Winners

Intrepid skipper Jesus Companioni reported August 14:

“Sorry about the lack of reports. Here is a pic from the trip.

"Jackpot winners:
Tim Williams, 98.5-pound Bluefin;
Kenny Phillips, 72.6-pound Bluefin;
and James Townsend, 58.3-pound Bluefin.”

Rooster Winners

Andy Cates brought Red Rooster III home August 14 after a five-day trip sponsored by Westcoastangler.com and chartermastered by Robert Peterson. Limits of Yellowfin Tuna were reported, along with 78 bluefin tuna, 30 dorado and an opah. The boat posted the jackpot winners:

“1st Place Jackpot: 97.6-pound Bluefin Tuna caught by Robert Peterson of Alpine

2nd Place Jackpot: 95.8-pound Bluefin Tuna, John Kitley, Port Washington, NY

3rd Place Jackpot: 83-pound Bluefin Tuna, George Taylor, Port Washington, NY

Trolling Jackpot 12-pound Yellowfin Tuna, Mike Engle, Long Beach.”

Nice Fish, Weather

“Beautiful, sunny calm weather today,” reported Royal Polaris August 14. “Fishing for us continues to be on the scratchy side. We landed 11 of the larger Bluefin today in the 70 to 90-pound class and 8 of the 30 to 40-pound class. We also picked up 61 Yellowfin tuna.

“We are picking up some more bait tonight and we will be back on the grounds tomorrow.

“Special thanks to Don Kuroye and Blackwater for the raffle prizes that were raffled of today which consisted of a Cal-Star rod, Accurate Reel, Blackwater Spectra, and some Fishworks clothing.”

Offshore Super Market

Tim Ekstrom wrote for his Royal Star August 14: “Very good fishing again offshore. As much yellowfin tuna in the 12 to 20-pound class as one desires to catch, and the coveted bluefin still providing shots at the quality everyone seeks, about sums it up. This is a setting that we as a fleet have not experienced for many years. The consistency of production and incredible opportunities are not limited to one or two areas; the whole ocean offshore from west of San Diego to west of Ensenada is loaded with potential. It's like driving down to the supermarket and picking up your fish, simple as that.

“Not to take anything away from the fisherman, of which I am one, but there are rare periods when it actually does come easy – all things just seem to fall in place. For the local San Diego sport fishing fleet Captains, who have endured a lot of tough conditions and marginal offshore fishing since 2006, this opportunity is hard earned and well deserved; the sweetness of this success is like none other.

“Relative to upcoming voyages I can only say all signs suggest that these epic opportunities will continue. In fact there may just be more surprises in store as we push into September. Larger yellowfin tuna, Bigeye tuna, and even big albacore have been known to appear in such conditions. I wouldn't actually offer this notion as a prediction, but it would not surprise me in the least if any, or all three, of the above listed occurs.

“With that in mind, and I haven't even mentioned the coastal fishing and what is bound to come up the line in the warm conditions, we do have a number of spots available on upcoming September seven day voyages. The Saturday to Saturday format of these trips is ideal but fishing is the real story. The September 6 to 13th and September 20 to 27th have plenty of space available for any and all looking to make a late summer/early fall run. There is more, a lot more, incredible fishing in our near future. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity in any way possible. Whether an overnight voyage or one of our upcoming long range adventures one will never see a better time.

“Photo today: Young Nick Landon, who already graced the daily update early in the voyage, earned another billing with this catch today. Patiently awaiting a bite all day Nick proved the virtue and value of pure will and effort with the capture of this 85-pound class beauty. At fourteen this young man is proving that there is still hope for the next generation; among them real fishermen do exist.”

Mixing It Up

Searcher reported August 14:

“A great day of tuna fishing today! We had a mix of 30 to 40-pound bluefin, with a few 60 to 90-pound fish. It is great to be able to give someone a fish of a lifetime. We had some yellowfin tuna in the same zone, and further south there is good sign of yellowfin. We caught some fish on the troll along with some bait fish. A few dorado and small yellowtail were released. We are headed further south to change things up a little and try for some yellowtail tomorrow.”