After last years trip with the men winning by a few pounds, we knew we had to have a rematch....Fred and I as team captains, we gathered up two teams of 11 anglers to battle it out on the fishing grounds. Fred wanted to test true talent so what better way than off shore chasing tuna???
We picked the Outer Limits out of Seaforth in San Diego. Weather looked great, bite was down, but with a full moon on Saturday we were hopeful that things would turn around for us, and with a group like we had on board, we were bound to have a good time regardless!
We arrived to Seaforth around 5 after the crappiest traffic ever! It was Babsie's birthday and Baja headed up the tailgate party and a big group had already gathered around the grill and table full of food. After hearing journey over the speakers, I quickly grabbed a Guttermouth cd and kicked it up a few notches...We laughed and danced and ate and drank...The ladies made friends with random strangers and ended up getting to put GCLA bumper stickers on numerous vehicles, including Joker and Fred's truck! We played an evil trick on Babs telling her we had forgot a 40 pound rod for her to use...She was bummed until I broke out her birthday gift from Danny, Fred and I...a new custom wrapped Seeker CJB70. Her tears of happines and endless hugs made the entire trip for me before we even boarded.
Since everyone was there, Capt. Paul let us board early...Ana baked a gorgeous cake for our Princess Babs and we carted all the grub to the boat along with a million dock carts of gear. We untied, went to the bait recievers and something felt weird....Was someone missing??? After we loaded bait, we returned to the dock to pick up Joker....and off we went!
Girls team....
Guys Team....
Tanner took the weekend off from the Ranger to come fishing with momma...I love fishing with my son and I hugged him a thousand times on this trip...I miss him!
Paul gave us our options for fishing. He told us things were tough as far as the bite, but he, like us, was very hopeful with the full moon and the fact that the fish had been off feed.....meaning they had to start biting at any moment....Hopefully once we were on the tuna grounds.
The ride was smooth out...we ate, chatted, etc...hit the racks and prayed for tuna.
Day 1:
BLAH! A long boat ride seperated by 2 jig strikes and a couple paddies that held Yellows. Tina got the first bite and brought up a beautiful Albacore. Mary had the 2nd jig strike with a bluefin (Go Rootbeer!) and Fred and David (Telcofish) landed 2 feisty yellows.
We napped, hoped, napped, hoped....rough day 1. We called it a day when Capt Paul told us the best bite of the day would be in the Galley! Steaks, Mashed potatoes w/ Gravy, veggies, salad, and rolls filled our tummies as Paul gave us the game plan for Day 2. We would travel west were some other boats got some fish. Troll fish don't count so Boys team is ahead 2-0. Fred secures Day 1 Jackpot with his yellow. We made a 90 mile move through crappy seas but woke up on the grounds ready to go!
Day 2:
I get up at 5 to see the deck hands settting up. I drop a zucchini broomtail back and cross my fingers. We start calling the fish in spanish, figuring that is where we failed on day one (Mexican fish don't understand english!) and at 6am my reel screams!!! HOOK UP!!!! I bring in my fish and a couple are landed on the bait. We are thinking this is going to be a great day! C'mon tuna!!
Fred stood ready by the tank for hours eyeballing his bait. The other boats from the fleet were all around us. Nothing on the radio but a few jig strikes when we get another of our own....we continue picking off a few bait fish at every stop and slowly start catching up to the boys.
Mary ends up with 2 baitfish, one of which was a hefty 29 pounder...I get one, Julz gets one, Meli gets one, Babs gets one (lasso-ed!!)
Fred has no fish for the day and finally gets bit. He screams for Erin V. who had never caught a tuna before. She grabs ahold of the rod and the fight is on. Rod on the rail, bent nearly to the water and she was screamin!!! She ends up with this beauty and Fred wins the nicest guy on the boat award!
Richard gets one pretty big as well. Fred gets his baitfish. Joe gets another one. We know the competition will be a close one and we are eager for the official weigh in. Last troll stop of the day results in a fish for Lori and one for Dave. We call it a day and waited for the crew to bring the fish up from the hold for official weigh in.
Mary secures JP for Day 2 and after the 5 largest fish from each team were weighed...
THE GIRLS WIN!!!!!!!
107 lbs to 98 lbs. Fair and Square, the girls conquer!!!!!
The guys were such great sports, acknowledging that we did indeed kick ass and congradulating us on a well deserved victory.
Drew had a plaque made for us...HOW COOL! Year one goes to the Guys, Year two goes to the Gals. The tie breaker for year three is going to be epic.
A very big thank you to the Outer Limits and her crew. Capts Paul and Steve worked relentlessly to put us on the fish, Keith and Paul were awesome on deck, and of course our German stud in the galley, Grego...Thanks for the grub!!!
I didn't get nearly the amount of pics I wanted...I know the rest of the gang will post their versions and pics up too. Thanks for an awesome trip and great company! Can't wait till next year!
