Long Range FIshing Update 7/16/11

Net Update

Bill Roecker for FishingVideos.com & San Diego Sportfishing Council

July 16, 2011

Jump on a 5-Day! The West Coast Angler 5-Day on the Red Rooster III leaving Sat. August 13, 2011 is now $1550.00!

Contact the Red Rooster III office at: 619.224.3857

Douglas/Jamison Baja Fish

Intrepid docked under Kevin Osborne’s hand at Pt. Loma Sportfishing July 16 after an eight-day trip with chartermasters Bob Douglas and Bill Jamison and 24 other anglers. They found some large yellowfin in a scratch bite at Alijos Rocks, and fished up The Ridge for yellowtail limits.

Ed Furu of Huntington Beach took first place for a 108.6-pound yellowfin tuna he bagged with a sardine on a 2/0 ringed Owner Mutu hook and 50-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon. He used 60-pound Line One spectra on a Penn Super 12 built by Cal Sheets and a Calstar 765 ML rod he wrapped.

“It took a half-hour to get him in,” Furu told dock reporter Bill Roecker. “It’s my best fish ever.”

John Whitley of Half Moon Bay won second place for a 92.8-pound tuna, and Bob Marrocco of Shelby Township, MI won third place for a 90-pound Alijos Rocks yellowfin tuna.

Nick Torres of Huntington Beach caught a giant goldspotted sand bass of 10 pounds, only a few ounces shy of the world record (all-tackle) for the species. He said it bit on a chrome and blue Butterfly jig. Nick goes to Golden West College, where he pitched baseball before he was injured. He said he borrowed his rod from Corky Burak.

Rooster Gets Opah

Red Rooster III arrived at H&M Landing when skipper Andy Cates docked the boat July 16 after a six-day trip.

“Benitos was good fishing,” he said. “Cedros was OK, and we spent a nice morning at Sac Reef fishing up the beach. Conditions there looked good.”

Lance Yamanaka of Pasadena won first place for his 38-pound yellowtail. He caught it with a sardine on a 4/0 VMC hook on 25-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon, 25-pound Izorline and 60-pound Izorline spectra. He used a Trinidad 16 N reel and a Calstar 850 H rod.

Tom Porter of Whittier won second place for a 35-pounder, and Bill House of Rogersville, AL took third place for his 32-pound yellowtail.

A 61-pound Opah was caught by Kyle Lambie of Vista, on a chrome/glow Sumo jig in the 6X Jr. size. He sat in with the winners for a lineup shot.

Big Yellows On Surface Iron

Mark Pisano docked his Independence at Pt. Loma Sportfishing July 16 following a seven-day Tahoe Tuna Club trip.

Zack Vackmouawad of Huntington Beach won first place. He reeled in a 38.8-pound yellow on a sardine and a 3/0 ringed Owner Super Mutu hook and 30-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon. He fished with 30-ppound Izorline and 60-pound Big Game spectra on a n Avet JX reel and a Calstar 6460 rod.

Woody Preston of Lexington KY won second and third places for yellowtail of 35 and 34 pounds.

Crewman Doug Brink beat his recent oilfish catch with a brace of whopper yellowtail he got on Salas surface iron, a 7X in mint color and an Okie. One fish came from The Ridge and the other from Chester Rocks. The pair weighed 54 and 48 pounds.

AA Yellowtail

American Angler docked at Pt. Loma Sportfishing with skipper Sam Patella at the helm July 16. His 19 anglers had a catch of yellowtail and various species, including at least one large sheephead.

Bruce Iniss of La Mesa won first place for his 28-pound yellowtail. He said he got it with a mackerel bait on a 2/0 ringed Owner Flyliner hook on 40-pound Big Game. He used an Avet JX reel and a seven and a half-foot Calstar rod.

Jerry Pohlman of San Diego won second place for a 24-pound yellow and Les Stark of Anaheim got third place for a 23.6-pound yellowtail.

Excel Is Sold

New Excel Owners

“I’m happy and excited,” Ingrid Poole told dock reporter Bill Roecker July 14, after signing off her ownership. “It’s a done deal! We’ve sold the Excel to some new owners, and skipper Justin Fleck will be one of the part-owners. The transition will be seamless, and the crew will remain as they are. Leading the new owners will be long-time chartermaster Al Gross.”

Skipper Fleck said he was signing the papers the same day, and that he looked forward to working with the other new owners to keep the boat in the top position it has enjoyed since Bill Poole put the finished vessel on line back in 1992.

First launched in 1990, Excel is the largest boat in the fleet at 124 by 32 feet. It’s steel-hulled, with a huge galley and large staterooms, many with seven-foot beds, and the corner staterooms have their own bathrooms. The boat’s fishing record is one of excellence, which will continue under its new owners.

The following announcement was sent to Bill Roecker July 16 by Ingrid Poole, who told Roecker that she was thrilled that the new owners will carry on Bill Poole’s memory in the best tradition:

NEW OWNERS:

1. Justin Fleck – Will remain at the helm, now as owner-operator.

2. Allen J. Gross:

- Chartermaster on the Excel for 14 years.

- Has fished every year with three sons Jason, Travis and Ryan.

- Has brought over a Dozen Purple Heart recipient Marines on his Charter’s free of charge.

- Has set aside spots on his charter for deserving Police and Fireman.

- Over last 14 years he had hoped to buy the Excel, now it’s a reality.

- Very happy and excited to be in this situation.

3. Alan Downing;  Petroleum geologist, he finds, drills and brings oil to the barrel, Owner operator Downing Nelson Petroleum, Excel angler for eight years.

4. Dave Geis:  former professional snowboarder, event manager for Tailgate Alaska, Founding Member of World Free Championships ski and snowboard contest Valdez, AK, and Event Manager for the King of the Hill Valdez, AK. Marketing director for Excel long range Sport Fishing, lifetime fisherman, long-range angler for 8 years.

>Look for cosmetic and technological improvements in the near future.

> We will be updating the boats menu.

>Jason Gross (Al Gross’ son) will be working in the front office alongside Kathie and Betty.

>Dave Geis will be the director of marketing.

>This transfer of ownership occurred with the full blessing of the Poole family.

The Excel is excited to announce the “New Owner’s Discount” which applies to trips starting 7/21/11 and ends with the trip beginning 12/26/11. This once in a lifetime offer will give all Excel anglers a 10% discount on their trip; this includes people who have already booked trips in this time window. All discounts will be realized upon check in the day your trip leaves.