2019: Trip #1 on the Thunderbird (1.5 Day)

DWRRC

Trip # 1

Thunderbird

Scribe: Parks

10:30 a.m. Hayden has the first spot in line, wondering where the heck everyone else is. By the time Luke and Roy and I show up, at 3.30, there was already an additional 10 members lined up.,"Chomping at the bit" to get out there and pull on something.

We had a fishing group of 20, which included 5 guests and Capt Thompson, along for the ride.

The pretty new Thunderbird pulled up to an admiring crowd about 7.30, and we were away from the dock by 9.00.

Ample rod holders, even for us, along the side of the cabin, I dont think we'll need rod limits.

Tackle box storage will be adequate, as long as your main tackle box/bag is the only space you take up. ( There was an issue with members storing other items in the tackle racks that could be in the bunk room.)

The crew very gently loaded bait. The bait tanks are huge, lots of bait, even for the baitburners. (We need handwell nets)

Goofy gave us the new safety routine and made sure we all knew where the cocktail ice was.

Bunks were picked in an orderly fashion, 37 to choose from, plenty of room to stow extra gear. The bunkroom layout will take some getting used to, but I heard no complaints.

Smooth ride to San Clemente Island, we definately threaded the needle with a good weather window, between storms.

6am, Tommy H hooks and loses the first fish of the season, into the hall of shame.

Next stop in LA Bay for a halibut drift for nada. Stop on a small spot of yellows off China point. I landed the first yellow, @ 10lbs, Tommy landed on about 12lbs on a yo yo iron and Moon(guest) lost one at gaff (oops JM). We motored thru the cove to the South end of Pyramid point, one bass, one goat. Slow start to the morning , but the previous day , they didn't start to bite until after 10am.

Again we are running up the island on the front side looking for fish, we stopped mid-island and as we are setting up, Tom Anderson hooks up with a yellowtail, Mike Trunk gets one yellowtail, and a few bass are put on the boat.

The next stop at White Rock, it's a little more productive. We landed 10 to 12 yellows, mainly in the six to eight pound range. Roy hooks and lands a nicer grade fish, that looks like it approached 18 lb. We had to stop fishing because the sea lions were just getting too obnoxious, which has become pretty common this year.

Next stop up the island, for two fish in the 13 to 15 pound class, one by Roy and the other by Oscar (guest).

A stop on the 9, at the North End of the island, produced a few larger yellowtail. We had many lost to the bottom structure and or the Sea Dogs. Wheeler, Luke, Jeff H, and myself landed these better size yellowtail there.

The bite slows down so Captain Jeff decides to run back up the island, on the front side to see if we can get a Calico bass bite to be productive.

Seems like the 62-degree water did not agree with the Calico Bass motivation to feed. We had a few Calico Bass, Jeff was able to get us in tight to the beach on about three spots. Conditions were just not perfect for a good bite. Yours truly did end up with the current Target with a 4.5 lb Calico. Some of us fished into the dark, putting dinner on hold as long as possible.

Finishing the day with 28 Yellowtail, with the jackpot going to Jeff Heinrichs, with a 20# Yellowtail.

Goofy did well on the tri tip, baked potato, salad dinner, in his new digs.

My favorite way to finish off a day, with my good friends, good drink, and good food. Oh, and Tommy Hill's line of jokes.

Parks

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2026: Trip 7 - Thunderbird 2 Day

By Michelle Burson • October 7, 2026

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