Islander May 2.5 Day 2013

[roby]

Video Reprt:

http://youtu.be/JYD51yYqefM


I was suppose to go on the June trip with the Islander, but I couldn't make it due to family plans and landed a spot on the May 2.5 day trip. When I first got to the landing I found out Jim Sammons, Paul Lebowitz, Adi, and Drew Gregory were on the trip as well. Jim was filming his first episode for the 2014 season.

Aside: Drew was promoting the Jackson kayaks and he is also known for the video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cV4F...ature=youtu.be

That night we picked up some nice sized sardines and headed for San Clemente Island. Jim gave everyone two goodie bags from Sebile tackle and Adi gave everyone a BWE hat - thanks fellas! The plan for Saturday was to anchor near China Point and then when the wind picked up pack up for lunch and then head to the front side.

In the morning Bobby (Kobra) and I decided to head outside of the kelp in 90 feet of water to look for yellows. We had luck last year and wanted to check that area first. After an hour or so I headed in to Pyramide Cove to look for halibut. While fishing for halibut, the calico bass bite went off and on four drops with my halibut rig I had calicos at the end of my hook. I switched to plasitcs and caught a few more bass in a span of 30 minutes or so.

Finally, I left the bass fishing and went for halibut again. On my last lively sardine in 45 feet of water I hooked into a halibut (17lbs), which would also win the jackpot for Day 1. We eventually went to the front side of the island where a 8lb yellowtail was caught by Jarod and a 23lb halibut was caught on plastic by Drew (he wasn't in the jackpot).

On Saturday night, we anchored in Pyramid Cove and some of the fellas made squid at night. There were several pbers in the cove doing the same. The flying fish gettting chased at night by the seals is always fun to watch. Bobby even caught one in his net.

Sunday Morning, even though the wind was under 10mph, and Pyramid Cove was whispering, "The Halibut are here..." the Captain decided to move to the front side of the Island again. We fished near White Rock and made our way throughout the day towards Pyramid.

Bobby and I decided to go for yellows again since one was caught the day before and Paul had a nice 5 minute sleigh ride by a yellow in this area as well. From 9-11 Bobby gots four good hits while flylining a sardine. On two of them he had a nice 3-4 minute sleigh ride, but on both of them the hook popped out. I went in for lunch at noon. After lunch I looked for rocks in 200 feet of water with some other kayakers to get some taco meat. We did fairly well as a group and pulled in Bocaccio, tree fish, white fish, and sheepshead.

On the final day Paul Lebowitz won the jackpot with a 9lb calico. Right before the 9lber, he got a 7lber.

Overall, the trip was really enjoyable. We saw the footage Jim's crew caught on their days of fishing. I can't wait to see the show. Adi told the craziest halibut stories in the craziest ways. Bobby gave up fishig for bass for two days so he could hunt for yellows. The chef made outstanding meals. The Islander crew once again worked their asses of to accomodate for the kayaks. There was also that kayak-flip at the boilers....I better stay away from that one : )

The fishing and scenery are always fantastic on the Islander and at Clemente, but it's the stories that keep me coming back...