2017: Trip #1 on the Thunderbird (1.5 Day)

5/18/17 - 5/20/17

Download the PDF here.

Scribe: Steve Lenker

Trip # 1 – Thunderbird

Departed May 18th

Fished May 19th

Returned May 20th

Members

Andy Sienkiewich

Steve Lenker-Scribe

Bob Wheeler

Roy Patterson

Alex Mesco

Andy Woodfill

Mike Guest

Mike Trunk

Luke Burson

Paul Casillas

Ron Rudrud

Chris Ramsey Jr

Hayden Claisse

Brian Wynne

Bill Parks

Ron Henry

Crew

Jeff- Captain

Andrew – 2nd Captain

Goofy – Cook

Steve

Brian

May 18, 2017

3:00 pm- Arrived at dock. Brian, Roy, and Ron were there and helped me unload. By the time I parked and got back, Luke and Roy were there. Hayden and then Mike Guest arrived. As the afternoon wore on the other members started to trickle in and libations started as well. The manifest was signed as members showed up and bunks were assigned as well.

9:45 pm- Left bait barge.

May 19, 2017

5:00 am- Smooth ride over to San Clemente Island. Anchored up just before 5. Caught a few yellow tail. Luke (24 pound on 50 pound dropper loop) started us off followed by Chris (29 pound, on 25 pound test), who won the battle from the sea lion. Picked off a few more, small yellowtail.

8:00 am- Got 5 scoops of squid from the outrider. Went up the line and did a drift for about an hour. Twenty more yellowtail. Steve- 30.8 pound yellowtail.

9:30 am- Making a move. Went inside and made a drift. Two short calico bass caught. Went up the line made a drift. Bryan W. and Hayden each got a nice yellowtail.

12:30 pm- Have been drifting. A few yellows, calico bass, whitefish, and rockfish.

1:10 pm- Started back down the island, putting down the anchor. Calico bass, blue perch, sheephead

3:00 pm- Making a move around to the frontside.

4:00 pm- Anchored up on the front side. Picked away at the calico bass. Mike, Andy and Goofy put on a colorful show for the boys.

4:30 pm- Moved up some more on the front side and anchored.

4:53 pm- Pulled anchor. Moved up. Mike caught a bonita.

5:10 pm- Tried one more spot. Zero fish. Moved back down the line.

5:45 pm- Anchored up. Luke and Paul each caught a nice calico. More nice calicos were caught.

6:30 pm- Pulled anchor. Moved down the island.

6:45 pm- Anchored up. Caught some nice calico bass. Luke caught a 6 pound plus but got beat out by Bill with a 7 pound plus bass. A few hard core guys stuck it out until dark. Goofy put out an outstanding taco bar with all of the fixings while some of the boys sampled various bottles of wine telling stories like fishermen usually do. Jackpot and first patch was won by Steve Lenker for his 30.8 pound yellowtail.

Totals: 34 Yellowtail (14 between 20 and 30 pounds) and limits of Calico Bass up to over 7 pounds.

May 20, 2017

5:00 am- Arrived back at the dock. Happy fishermen headed for home!

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