Conditions were “…cloudy and windy here at Hurricane bank,” wrote owner-skipper Frank LoPreste aboard Royal Polaris April 17. “Thank goodness for a big boat that rides well. We were plenty comfortable. Fishing is still best described as a tough scratch. We caught 17 Yellowfin tuna and 13 Wahoo.

“Largest Yellowfin were both around 160 pounds, caught by Mike Heishima and Jeffey Shapiro.

"Most of our Yellowfin were around 120 to 135 pounds. We have two days of fishing left and tomorrow we start with R.S.W. This evening’s Sushi buffet was outstanding.

"I am sure it will spur many to fish hard and try to get a couple of fish into the R.S.W. tank.”

Royal Polaris is due back at Fisherman’s Landing April 24.

Tarponeers: Poole, Sheets

Bill Poole turned 85 on a trip to Rio Parismina in Costa Rica, and celebrated with a tarpon estimated at 150 pounds. Bill fished with his wife Ingrid and reel blueprinter and modification expert Cal Sheets of Cal's 2-Speed. It was Poole’s first experience fishing for tarpon.

“I got a new respect for tarpon,” said Poole. “They’re not like sailfish; they’re tougher than hell! You can’t crank ‘em in like sailfish.

“I got six over 100 pounds,” he continued. The big one didn’t jump, but he towed the boat and went four and a half miles. I could see the whole coastline out there, and one time he took us in almost to the surf. He was almost seven feet long, measured by my rod at the side of the boat. A 100-pounder’s about six foot long, with 32 inches of girth.”

On the day of Bill’s birthday, said Ingrid, they took a voyage up the river, enjoying the jungle, with its monkeys, tropical birds and caymans; narrow-snouted crocodilians.

“We caught and released about 60 tarpon,” said Cal Sheets. “Only two or three were under 60 pounds. We had about 10 over 100 pounds. We also got some jack crevalle.

“We fished ‘em with fresh dead anchovettas,” continued reelmeister Sheets. “We put those baits in a cooler of ice water and dropped ‘em down 60 to 150 feet with a half-ounce to an ounce of sinkers on 9/0 circle hooks and 20-pound line behind heavy leader. Most of the fish were deep, and the big ones were all deeper.

Tarpon are hard fighters, known for their great leaping ability and heavy, rough scales.

“The fishing was out of 21-foot skiffs. We released all out fish. We fished twice a day: from six to 11 in the morning, and again in the afternoon from two to five p.m. One our last day we had ten tarpon up to 100 pounds.”

You can still get a signed copy of Poole’s biography, “Fish or Cut Bait,” by Chuck Garrison, in the products section of this site. This Sunday Poole said he would be at the Day at the Docks, where he will also be available to sign books and meet anglers.

Time’s Running Short

If you’d like to get on the Qualifier 105 and fish with Bill Roecker while he and his crew shoot a DVD video, better make a move soon. The boat departs from Point Loma Sportfishing April 28. Anglers using the fly back option will come home from the 16-day trip on May 11.

The list of prizes and awards for anglers on this big tuna trip is growing daily. All anglers will get a free calendar, a copy of the video Roecker makes, and also a copy of the DVD “Cleofas Adventure,” shot aboard the Q-105. Roecker will also be giving away other videos and books.

Certificates for reel work from Cal's 2-speed Reels will be given away on the Qualifier trip. Eric Sheets shown here.

Offered as raffle prizes, Cal Sheets will be giving some certificates for reel work.

Jigs from Tady, Zucker’s, Salas and Sumo will go to all anglers, along with numerous prizes from Mustad.

Izorline topshots will be available. Accurate will give reels away in the Daily Derby, along with clothing, and owner

Jon Klein will give each angler on the trip a new Accurate Boss 270-C reel, valued around $400.

Call the Qualifier at (619) 223-2786 and get your spot today!