OMG - what a fantastic trip on our annual Pacific Dawn Tuna Charter. We were all singing the blues - Bluefin Tuna that is. We got kind of a late start Thursday evening as we didn't leave the landing until 10pm instead of seven, but no big deal. We all got signed in, got our tackle ready, and then hunkered down in our bunks to prepare for the tuna battle. As the morning approached, Capt Dustin woke us up for the "grey" bite. I think it was new member Laura who hooked the first fish and it was "game on". One by one everyone was hooking up and bluefin tuna were all over the place. These fish liked the light line - 15 to 20# test seemed to be the ticket what a blast it was to bring them on board. Lori - the HOT stick of the trip could do no wrong. Every time I looked at her, she was fighting a fish. Our buddy Jerry Stussman also had a hot stick. On the second day he told me he was going to heavier line because he was too exhausted catching all those fish - obviously not a lady angler !! As lunch time approached, we had to refuel and some of us even had to take a power nap, but it was soon back to task at hand. The afternoon brought even more bluefin and us rookie tuna slayers were really getting the hang of it. Then late afternoon, we had another lull in the bite and feasted on some of the best ceviche we've ever had. As evening approached the bite starting raging once again.
Louise was hooked up once again. By the end of the day on Friday, we had 101 Bluefin tuna on board. Unbelievable !! By this time though, we were low on bait, so Capt Dustin went all the back to San Diego That night to get more bait and we were back in action at the same area by Saturday morning. What a crew - we couldn't have asked for anything more. So Saturday morning we were back in action. Lori's stick was still to hot to handle as she just kept those bluefin's coming. By time our day was over and we started to head back home, we had a whopping 146 Bluefin tuna in the hole and our two jackpot winners were Louise and Chris.
Congrats to all the ladies on board for a fine showing of the GOLD COAST LADY ANGLERS ! One of the highlights of this trip for me was that I was able to gaff my own fish. It's a lot harder that it looks, but look out deckhands, I'm coming after ya !!
The weather was decent and Eddie in the galley prepared fabulous meals and snacks for us. The sashimi on the way home was to die for. Enjoy the pics below and get ready now for next year cause we are going to put the hurt on tuna once again !! Many Many Many thanks to Capt Dustin, Jake, Moses. ManDog, and Eddie in the galley, for making this trip so memorable !! The Pacific Dawn rocked !!
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