2018: Trip 8 Thunderbird (2 day)

Trip #8 on the Thunderbird - Ryan Burson,Roy Patterson,Luke Burson,Bob Wheeler,Andy Sienkiewich,Nick Burson,Alex Mesko,Charlie Sanchez,Stewart,Bryan Upcraft,Bill Parks,Tom Hill,Gary Thompson,Paul Casillas,Tony Beall,Mike Trunk, Andy Woodfill

Welcome the newest member of the DWRRC!

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video/3930676-fishermen-score-big-with-bluefin-tuna/

If you haven't heard, we had a special guest who wanted to find out more about the recent cow sized bluefin. Stacey Butler from KCAL 9 news interviewed a few of the guys and loved them so much she was waiting for us back at the landing Saturday evening...with her bodyguard and a cooler for the promised fish. This all went down before your scribe was at the docks so be sure to ask about this at the Picnic if you weren't there… And now for the trip!

The ride out was smooth and almost everyone was in bed around 10:00 to make the ~3am alarm clock. We spent the dark/grey targeting cows and successfully got a couple. Ryan broke the ice with mid 20 grade BF, Roy brought in a 45-50, Alex a mid 40, Trunk a mid 40, and Bill found the mother 220.5lb and walked her in from 6:25-7:10 . After that first stop we took a ride down the island, had breakfast and some took power naps.

Around noon we picked up a few calicos (4) then we got into some yellowtail in the high teen to low twenty range; the largest was around 30 and Roy took that one home. The weather was absolutely perfect with some very smooth waters.

"Wind em up...we've got some breezers up ahead!"

This was my favorite part of the trip (I also didn't get a 200lb fish). It's been a very long time, for me at least, to be standing elbow to elbow at the bait tank with your hook primed in one hand and securing your chosen 'dine with your other. Everybody standing tall watching the school planning out their next 10-15 seconds, waiting to hear Jeff back down the engine so we can rumble.

We end up making four stops on what seemed to be three different schools of fish between 10-25lbs.

Stop #1

2-4 YFT & handful of skips
They disappear

Stop #2

Pull up, baits out, silence
Jeff marks them running away from us & we wind ‘em up

At this point it seems like another classic story of them being right there...but not wanting to play.

Stop #3

7YFT & 5 Skip

This being the third stop and not having what we hope to show for, Jeff announced the final sighting of breezers and said "we'll give it one more try, why not".

Stop #4

20YFT
17 Ear to ear smiles

Finally, the stop we were waiting for. We had a school of torpedos that were hungry and just blowing up anything that hit the water. We had boils upon boils, YFT becoming airborne and if you weren't on as soon as your bait hit the water, you were about to be. The bite didn’t last long but it came on strong.

Once the excitement died down we made our way to our night spot off the island for dinner and an attempt at some bigger fish again. It's about 8:30 when we start fishing. Jeff calls out marks around 40-50 fathoms and we manage to put eight more BFT on board in the 20-60lb range.

We break for dinner and it's becoming apparent they were done biting for the night. The majority of the club heads to bed for some much needed sleep ‘cause we're right back at it in a few hours. A couple of us are still up working on our night cap and having the normal conversations of an empty deck on a cold night...

Good morning! It's probably 3-4 am, still dark and the bunks are cleared and we're all at the rail crankin on our glowsticks. Luke starts us off with the first bite and brings up a near 300lber. Once we get all the lines off of Luke and his fish it weighs out at 190. I feel the need to note how absolutely, positively, stunningly beautiful this fish was. It was not 218lbs nor did it have to be (those are everywhere down there). This fish was really special.

The final 3 fish happened in a matter of 10 seconds. I'm in the starboard corner of the stern, Tom Hill is to my left and Bill Parks is to his. Tom gets bit. I get bit. Bill gets bit. Tom and I get our fish in and they're lookin’ to be 40-50 grade. Bill is still on his fish and we all have our baits out of the water clearing the field for another potential cow.

Three gaffs and a bloody penis apron from Goofy later, 218lbs hits the deck. Bill had successfully pulled back to back 200+lb mornings. Congratulations again Bill, that was some very impressive fishing.

By this time the sun is starting to rise and this is where your scribe pretty much checks out. The final few hours of fishing consisted of picking at SCI Calicos and Gary goin for his Blue perch. A relaxing end to a fun trip. Jeff gives the final wind em up and we're on our way home with the final DWRRC trip aboard the Thunderbird.

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Two men on a boat deck hold a large fish on a cloudy day.

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