Saltwater Trip

[Erawk]

I'm taking a yellowtail/albacore trip to Mexican water out of San Diego (H&M Landing - Old Glory) next weekend. I'm wondering what kind of tackle I should bring along? Are there any particular surface irons or other lures that I should pick up?

Any tips or experiences with this sort of tip would be appreciated. Thanks and have a nice day.
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[lvfishingdude]

Just do whatever the deckhands tell you to do. Conditions change daily. I never failed when I listened to the deckhands. usually you are flat lining at kelp paddies.
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[Droopy69]

I took a 1.5 out of H&M Landing last year on the Sea Adventure 80 (Highly recommend them as well). The real answer is as the deckhands beforehand (show up early).

I used a rental pole with (I think) 40lb mono on it. The landing will sell you bait hooks based on the size of the baits currently at the bait dock. One thing I failed to do (and ended up bumming some from other guys all trip long) was to bring some florocarbon leader. Not sure what test to recommend, but you can buy it at the landing as well...

Talking with several of the experienced guys on board as well as some of the deckhands, they suggested the most important feature of a reel what the drag. Set the drag fairly tight and pull some line. Is it a nice smooth pull, or can you feel the drag pulsing, etc? That breaks lines when you have a larger fish on and/or a damaged line (from scales, rubbing against other folk using braid, etc).

That's all I really remember. It should be a good time!

John
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[Erawk]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Droopy, you wrote "The real answer is as the deckhands beforehand (show up early)."
Can you elaborate on what you mean beyond arriving early.

I'm a little nervous about this boat because I've found some terrible reviews on them. My friend booked the trip without consulting with me so I didn't get to research and pick a well reviewed boat. He knew I couldn't say no to fishing, so he just booked it, haha.
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[Droopy69]

Well, I got there about 8 hours early. That was probably excessive, however probably half the passengers were there 4 hours early. Gives you time to park, checkin at the landing, get any rental equipment, browse around, etc. I walked down the dock to the boat. One of the deckhands was wandering around (working) and I started chatting with him. They work for tips (remember to tip at the end of the trip) and want you to catch fish and have a good trip.

Do some googling on tipping. There are rules of thumb (can't remember offhand) but tips can be a significant portion of the cost of the trip...

Parking: When I got there, the landing parking lot was completely full. There are a couple motels across the street. When you are exiting the parking lot, the one across the street on the right will let you park there for a fairly reasonable fee. (They also hooked me up when the battery in my car died while parked there).

Regardless of online comments, you should be able to have a good time on any boat. Don't be "that guy", be polite to the crew, ask questions, LISTEN, and remember... Cast in the corner and keep moving left!! :-) (You'll understand later)

I fished live sardines the entire trip. I only caught one smallish yellowtail. Trip before mine and after mine were relatively epic, but I had fun nonetheless...

Oh yeah... I'm a fighter pilot, never been motion sick in my life, and have been on heavy seas at night before... Bring bonine pills... If you even think you might be susceptible to motion sickness, start taking them 6 hours before you get on the boat. If you don't, start taking them the moment you start getting the "feeling", but realize you're gonna be in for it for several hours before they start working. Might make you sleepy, but you're gonna get on in the evening, get bait, listen to the seminar as the boat starts driving out, then drink some beers and go to bed. The boat should be getting on the fishing grounds around sunup, so going to bed early isn't a bad thing...
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[07yzryder]

check out bdoutdoors.com they usually post reports there and what they are hitting on.

http://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/souther...g-reports/
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[lvfishingdude]

I am telling you man do not over think this. Ocean fishing is quite easier than freshwater fishing. Especially if you are going for yellowtail.

The guy above is 100% correct, the deckhands want you to catch fish. That is how they make money. Between tips and cleaning fish. The more fish the boat catches means the more money they are going to get for cleaning your fish.

What landing are you going out of? I am not one of those people that go by reviews. I like to try it out myself. I promise you will have fun deep sea fishing.
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[iamthesmf]

Well we could all just sit here and guess or.......we can vist the website.....

[url "http://www.hmlanding.com/fcount/fcount.htm"]http://www.hmlanding.com/fcount/fcount.htm[/url]

[url "http://www.hmlanding.com/boats/cherokee.htm"]Old Glory[/url] 263 Spanish jack, 42 Yellowtail, 1 Bonito

Or you can call them.........

[url "http://www.hmlanding.com/fcount/fcount.htm#charter"]http://www.hmlanding.com/fcount/fcount.htm#charter[/url]

My guess is live bait, fly lined or small slider sinkers.
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[the_agent]

Used to work in a tackle shop just across from all the boats in Point Loma during my college years. If you ask a deck hand what to bring they will give you a list. if you look at their gear it will be pretty basic. depending on how many rods you have I would always take at least 3

15 or 20 lb fly lining bait (most boat rods have 25 lb)
30 lb fly lining bait if the bite is getting fast or nicer grade of fish
40 lb Jig stick.
Multiple sticks beat having to waste time tying new tackle on.

the old standbys still work. Tady 45 sardine, blue and white, and mint green. Also the heavy irons work well too salas 6x jr. blue white, green, etc

Hooks, your pick Mustad, Owner, Gama... size 1, 1/0, 2/0, and 3/0 should do you.

Bring some kind of lead. I like the sliding sinkers. various. even a small shot will make a difference.

needle nose pliers. sea sick stuff even ginger works great.

Snacks, water, NO Bananas! and a small towel or cloth.

Look into a jig bucket for a tackle storage solution.

Iron gets tossed off the bow. bait usually fished on the slide from the stern.

Yellows like a fast surface iron tady 45, or yoyo the heavy stuff if the fish are suspended. The little extra shot will help get the bait deep be first down to the fish and prevent you from hooking a kite aka a seagull stealing your bait.

Listen to the deck hands. no angles no tangles follow your fish. the cattle boats have all levels of players on em so you will have to mind your line and make sure you dont get caught up by someone else not paying attention. use fresh lively bait and change often unless the fish like the long soak. extra cash for tips. Those were great days fish multiday for free. Too bad I had to grow up. Stop by Anglers Choice in Point Loma on the way to the docks. They should set you up. If you run into Luc the owner or Frank tell them J says hi. Good Luck
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[Erawk]

Thanks for all the responses, fellas. BD had some great info. I had a conversation with the captain today via telephone. Thanks, the_agent for the tackle run down and other tips. No angles, no tangles. I like that.
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[the_agent]

Any time! I do love fishing the yellows. Good luck out there and do give us a after action report when done. Cheers. J
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