2019: Trip 7 Thunderbird (2 Day)

Trip 7 Report

August 29- 30, 2019

DWRRC

On Thursday afternoon, 23 members and guests gathered on the Newport Landing’s public water front walkway in anticipation of a 2-day outing on the new Thunderbird. Mike Castillo – you’re the best Mike - gets up at 2:30 am to smoke pork butts. Delicious smoked pork, Hawaiian bread rolls, Famous Dave’s pickles and Roy’s BBQ sauce are served on the public bench before curious onlookers. Silence overcomes anxious anglers devouring the feast in mere minutes. Beers miraculously appear cleverly concealed in cozies to ensure that no one suspects.

Mexican licenses are secured at the landing office and the new simplified boarding process is deployed:

Board by twos in order of sign up;
Pick you bunk and mark it with a bag (but do not drop a tackle box in tackle box storage heaven);

(2) Return to the dock;

(3) Return to the boat in order of your arrival;

(4) Get sweet tackle box storage and rod holder spots as quick as you can (no pushing or elbowing please);

(5) Most important, deliver your snacks to the galley;

(6) Sign up for the jackpot and bag number;

(7) Exhale.

In the dark tackle is rigged with small hooks; the tanks are loaded with Newport Harbor sardines and topped off in route with Dana Point sardine cousins. We cruise down coast arriving Friday morning in sight of Point Loma to join a dispersed fleet of sport and private boats hunting Yellowfin tuna. The ride down is calm and we sleep well. Delicious breakfast pancakes and eggs are gobbled while whisky mysteriously materializes in coffee cups. The trolling team munches meat sticks and cheese set out by Goofy. Alas, it was neither our day nor anyone else’s day as we experience double “NBs” at every stop – “No Boils, No Bites.” Great fishing last week!

Goofy serves up pastrami burgers and chicken salad sandwiches as the Thunderbird turns west for Bluefin tuna. The seas are bouncy; jackets and long pants are donned; the boat is rocking and rolling in sight of SCI, Jeff calls out the fish depths. Yikes, no biters again. The sun sets; Hayden’s cocktail hour beacon lights up; we head into calm Pyramid Cove for a dinner of huge steaks grilled on deck, served with large baked potatoes and salad. Upon popular request Klondike bars appear; then quickly disappear. Thirsty club members marvel at the Thunderbird’s automated ice dispenser. Lots of good talk in the galley spurred on by spirits and wine before wobbly anglers hit the sack for a comfortable night’s rest. The crew makes squid overnight. Tom participates in the squid round up.

Saturday morning fishing starts in the dark. Bill Parks hauls in a barracuda that sets the mark for the day’s jackpot. Goofy stuffs us with steak and garlicy potato giant burrito breakfast. Members note the much quieter than accustomed anchor chain setup allows uninterrupted sleep. The Thunderbird heads out in the grey a few miles off SCI in pursuit of the elusive Bluefin. Despite some boils, it didn’t happen. Sadly we are blanked again. At 10:00 am Thunderbird arrives at the southeast corner of SCI where we scratch up a few small calicos and sheepshead – Bill’s barracuda still dominant. We make stops moving up the island as pesky sea lions repetitively drive us out. We pick up a few meager bass and by noon move into yellowtail territory. Four modest yellowtails are caught on bait and jigs. Nick now has the jackpot contender. We make a few more unproductive stops before turning the bow toward home. The return trip experiences more bounce but is uneventful regarding fish. We arrive to a bustling Newport Harbor at 7:30 pm. Boat traffic is heavy as we maneuver to the dock.

A small box with a few fillets is brought out. I grab mine and begin driving through heavy Labor Day weekend traffic on Balboa Blvd. Despite empty ice chests, anglers assert it was a good time. With very little catching, this trip report is expected to be brief. We should have such catching-luck in a flu epidemic.

As consolation, Mother Nature provides sightings of blue whales, dolphins, a juvenile bald eagle (not yet bald), a pod of orcas and even a few jumping Bluefin tuna. Birds pooped all over my parked car.

Wait, there is breaking news:

Newsflash: Burson and Burson take jackpots.

Friday: L Burson experiences an L of a fight bagging an ornry skipjack.

Saturaday: N. Burson restores family honor when a yellowtail takes him from stern to bow.

Newsflash: Lucky Alex’s luck runs out. He farms a large skipjack Friday morning; his Colt Snipper with a bent hook releases a big Bluefin Saturaday morning; and his line snaps on a big halibut Saturday afternoon. The Bursons prevail.

Newsflash: Happy birthday Stewart

Newsflash: Life is stranger than fiction as Gary breaks down his same tackle two separate times on a singular boat ride home. Will it happen again?

Repetitive news: The Thunderbird gang of Jeff, Goofy, Brian, Cole and Steve provide first class service to us club members and our guests. As usual, the Thunderbird gang are well apreciated. They are great!

Over and Out.

Your humble Polish scribe, Andy Sienkiewich.

Nostrovia!

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Trip #7: Boat: Thunderbird 2 day Departs: Thursday, September 24th Fishing: September 25th and 26th Returns: September 26th pm Why can’t we be friends? Cast of Characters: 1. Bryan Upcraft 2. Ryan Burson 3. Tony Beall 4. James Harris 5. Oscar Ochoa 6. Luke Burson 7. Mike Allen 8. Mike Higa 9. Tom Hill 10. Paul Morgan 11. Frank Monzon 12. Bill Parks 13. Shelby guest of Tom Hill 14. Rick F guest of Frank Monzon 15. Jimmy guest of James Harris 16. Mike L guest of Mike Allen 17. Chris N guest of Paul Morgan 18. Lucas N guest of Alex Arthur 19. Mark G guest of Mike Higa 20. Saif Liswi 21. John Simmons guest of Frank Monzon 22. Chet Prak guest of Frank Monzon 23. Patrick Thunyakij Thunderbird Crew: Capt. Chris May, Capt. Steve Raby, Goofy, Jared, and Austin