The "Westport Castaways" Tuna adventure Finaly posted!!!

Riverliver · 08-19-2006, 08:35 PM

Ten of us Ifishers went on a Tuna fishing adventure of a lifetime w/ Mike Hoggemin.. 170 Tuna total... heavy sea's lots of fun..
So this is where it all started
Deep Sea Charters

After we all met up with this guy

We all thought it would be a good thing to get some Sushi Yummy

But Wait were missing this guy Travis.. We named him "MR. GQ" after this photo was shot

Then we hooked up with these guys

1st Mate Lance, Captain Randy Ratliff, 2nd Mate Marshall
After getting the drill... A team B team and "The How too's" we headed off to find some Tuna's

First thing in the AM about six After a couple fire drills we finaly got things in order... Just took a little work was all.
So the guys manned the line

The Man that put us on the fish cooked us all some killer grub!!!!

Then we fished some more

This is our Captain again handing out live bait as if it was our ticket to salvation..

Would you ever had thought a little fish like that could ever put a smile on a grown mans face as it has here?

The Dogs lure another poor soul into the Salty Tuna wisdom and closer to tuna adictions we [indoctrinated another tuna newbie] on the big pond

Yet another Salty Dog Spouting the chat we all wanted to say
"FRESH FISH" a Koy phrase for "FISH ON"

The last stop about six hours of crazy fishing... four buckets of tuna's loaded and unloaded to the tune of 110 fish for a grand total of 170 fish for about twelve hours of fishing..

After a long long long Boat ride back Ray hooked everyone up

As the crew cleaned the rest of the fish.

We all nibbled on Rays Tuna snacks and gathered for a picture on the boat.

Then got togeither for one last photo as per my request..thanks guys for waiting for me :smile:

A Big Thanks to Everyone in the office

But if it wasn't for our very own little Hoggemin, None of this would have happened!

First of all I'd like to thank everyone on the trip! It was an absolute blast!!!!!! Randy you and your team are top knotched no doudt about it always on the ball to do what ever it takes to make everyone happy.. The gang in the office was absolutly wonderful as well very informative and helpful too! I'd do it again for sure..

Now that my pic's are posted and my tuna is baged I go to bed now.. Guys if you want copies of your photo's Ill be happy to email them to you full sized there just under two megs..

Tight lines
Greg

Mr. Fisherman · 08-19-2006, 09:03 PM

What an outstanding time we had!
170 fish and 110 of those came off the last stop. Increadible!
Nothing has topped getting splashed by a #30 class Tuna crashing my bait 5 feet from the boat and taking 150 yards of line before I finished shouting "Fresh one!"... words can not do justice. Increadible.
My arms are too sore to finish typing right now... more to the story later...
I will share this... The Captain was very inpressed with us... we were in very sporty seas and it was the only time he could recall that everyone in the crew including him had lost their footing but none of the guests hit the deck.

When the story continues you will hear about Baloon boy and the magic 1st fish... Berry upsidedown cake... the perfect Tuna tango... A Salty dogs missing [Newbieness]... and much much more...
News at 11:00...
Stay tuned...

The Bad Fish · 08-19-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

News at 11:00

well wheres the story?? 170 fish is pretty impressive. but then again you guys are pro's.

nice job.

Mark Mc · 08-19-2006, 10:31 PM

I wanna hear how Mark Cortright (Onokai) did.....how was the Humboldt Mojo doing?

Freakwater · 08-19-2006, 11:00 PM

Me too...
Too tired and up to my elbows in TUNA!

Freakwater

skein · 08-20-2006, 07:12 AM

Oh Gawd - as if it wasn't bad enough to have Dylan rubbing our noses in it from down south, we've now got to put up with "The Westport Wahoo's" or whatever they're calling themselves.

I know these guys, and there's not a THREAD OF TRUTH in the bunch.

Do Not Believe Anything They Say!!!

Oh my....

Skein

Booja 1 · 08-20-2006, 08:37 AM

Way to go guys,,,,,did it get kinda old getting bit almost every cast? :smile: With such good action, did anyone notice there was a little bump on the pond? Going over the hump on a stop,,,,,incredible. When the albies are stuck on stupid and go full speed, sure makes up for the days when they have lockjaw and one can't seem to find em.........

PeterMac · 08-20-2006, 09:17 AM

When I hit the rack last night I couldn't sleep because my bed wasn't moving like a freakin Disneyland ride!!!!

What a great trip with a great group of fishermen. My arms are SORE from reeling in all a dem tuners. Now it is time to get to work, can smoke seal, can smoke seal can smoke seal, repeat ad infinitum....

I would highly recommend one of these trips. It was a most excellent experience.

I have got to figure out how to post pictures....

PeterMac

Mr. Fisherman · 08-20-2006, 10:48 AM

Mark did fantastic and was one of many who imeadiately booked a date for next year. I really enjoyed sharing a rail with Mark and look forward to many more such experiences. He is a great guy and a joy to fish with.
It was a bit ironic that he and the other Mark on the boat shared a Tuna Tango the likes that the Captain wished he had on video. I'll let him share the story, it was preacious.

Quote:

I wanna hear how Mark Cortright (Onokai) did.....how was the Humboldt Mojo doing?

I said news at 11:00, but I didn't say which 11:00. Back to canning, smoking, vac packing and washing... Where's the advil? Hey, there are my knees... ouch... I am too young to feel this darn old...

Freakwater · 08-20-2006, 11:50 AM

The weather was pretty rough. One of the reasons I wanted to go on a two day trip was to have at least one day of not having that anticipation that the captain going to call it a day at some point to start motoring in.... just a full on sun-up to sundown day of fishing

But with the weather so rough, we didn't know how long we were going get. The morning started out decent. Easy to find fish on the troll, but only picking up 3 or 4 fish on bait. Spent the first 4-5 hours of the day scratching out our first 40 fish. Captain said this was typical fishing for how hard the wind was blowing. Then we had a several hour lull in action, fisherman nodding off on jig duty waiting for their alarm bell to go off. One stop that burned god knows how long as we repeatedly tried to run down a nice Mako I hooked into. It was starting to look like we might go home with a half dozen fish each..... Then in the afternoon

... We started having better stops. 8, 12, 14, an 18 stopper and high fives all around. And then the stop to end all stops! Captain stopped on some jumpers and the carnage began. Better than 50% hook-ups in a never ending rotation. Funny to occasionally snap out of your tuna induced trance and look to the guys on either side of you who were also fighting fish.... "Hey Lee! Hows it going? Short time, no see Ray! Hey Mark, it's you again!" After 30 minutes of this, the captain declared, "We've got 'em here for the rest of the day", then cut the engines. When we left the dock the day before, the captain after seeing the arsenal of 30+ rods we brought said, "We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Let's work hard in the morning and get our fish, then you can bust out that gear and you can play around." Somewhere in that last bite it was obvious that we were bringing in fish as fast as we could and it was time to play. Lee caught 8 fish on 12# test, an SX, and what looked like a trout rod. I had never caught a tuna on a swimbait and I probably own 300 of the freakin' things. I'm not the best bait caster, so I bought a Penn spinning reel and a lami sardinia spinning rod. I went to the bow and chucked a 1.5 oz. swim bait as hard as I could into 25 knot winds. Just started retrieving it slowly on the surface and KAPOW! First cast! Landed about 8 that way and never more than 2 casts to hook up. Never even tried that technique that MarkMc and Jerry demo'd at the SD convention a couple years ago. Not sure I really get it, but this day it didn't matter.
We worked that last stop for 2.5 hours and about a half hour from dusk the captain called it due to weather(fish were still pounding bait) saying we had a 14 hour ride ahead of us. Not sure how long we tried to motor that night, but the captain killed the engines and we drifted for most of the night. The head was outside and I got up a couple times in the night and went out on deck. The winds were houling at 40 knots I would guess and huge swells. Kinda spooky. The next morning the captain said we motored for two hours that night and he couldn't top 3-4 knots so we just drifted(about 20 more miles) to wait out the weather. I could keep going talking about this trip. It was some of the best times I've had and a great group of guys to share it with.

(O'Douls)

Freakwater

San Anita · 08-20-2006, 11:56 AM

I gave up my seat on this trip.
Bill

OuterLimits · 08-20-2006, 12:15 PM

StickFish · 08-20-2006, 02:33 PM

Sounds like you guys had a lot more fun than I did this weekend - Aunt's memorial towing around a wife who came down with Hives.

NEXT YEAR
NEXT year
next year
next YEAR

Riverliver · 08-20-2006, 02:34 PM

Well I just got done with lunch... 15 fish done 19 more I have to resize all the pic's b4 I can post them.. Ill post em as soon as I can.. Boy does my house stink

Mr. Fisherman · 08-20-2006, 05:35 PM

Hurry up Greg!
I wanna see the pics!
Oh... back to the smoker... back later..

Riverliver · 08-20-2006, 05:43 PM

Sorry Brotha's

I've got them all trimmed now and packaged now for sealing time.. Not canning anything until tomorrow don't forget Im doing mine and Big Gregs as well we both are working togeither.. Im about tired of the smell of tuna. :~)

Pics will come tonight if I have to be up till minute.. I have to get the tunas done tonight Might be headed to LA for a movie run in the morning

Gray Back

Mr. Fisherman · 08-20-2006, 08:01 PM

Well, while we wait let me share a story that luckly has no pictures...
I am in the cabin putting on my rain gear when I hear the Captain say who wants a fish... he said it once, twice... I could not believe nobody had taken the fish when I heard it the third time and I decided to take care of business. To the rod I went. It was a nice fish and he took me to the rail. I think there was another fisher and we were doing the Tuna Tango on the rail when.... what is that sound, OH CRAP! My inflatable life jacket was swelling up around my neck... after I realized what the heck was going on I could not stop laughing. Bubble boy with fish on... Don't try this at home folks, it is a chore to reel in a strong Tuna with an inflatable around your neck. It is a good thing I had checked it for fit before this incident as it would have been far too tight to breath or fight the fish if I had not done that after seeing them in action at the TA Convention at pool side. Anyway, I landed the 1st Tuna for the trip and made it memorable for us all. I doubt anyone will ever forget Bubble Boy with fish on... Good times and one of the funniest things I have ever seen.

Onokai · 08-20-2006, 08:08 PM

Hey Bill, thanks again for allowing me to get your spot. That takes a real friend.
The drive was 1207 miles, and worth it. The weather was to say the least sporty. I think we were the only boat of salty dogs pre fishing the friday before tourney (cancelled). I really had a great time with all fellow fisherman - Thanks especially to Mike for making it happen and I must say - what a joy to fish along with Ray - he is a blast - damn, now I'm craving those tuna toasty's. Just finished a BBQ-fresh steak with my wife and still thinking about those toasty's. The above post by John summed it well, except I must add that a wide-open bait bite is nervana. I had to break out the groin belt after losing count of how many fish I had reeled in. This was not my first live-bait experience (have done it on my boat) but it was the most productive.
Watching Lee land a few in on a kite string was also a hilight.
As far as those tuna Tango steps the conditions must be perfect -you need-tangled- hooked up to tuna lines- with some 10-footers with 20 knots and a nice roll going. Rubber offshore boots are a must also. Hey we both got our fish and I learned all about Mark's wife's horses - that is a whole other story.
My sides are sore from laughing as well as all other points from bumps. I think the skipper would have pulled the plug earlier if we were not such a salty bunch. He was waiting for one of us to take a dive and that did not happen-thank your stars. I did slide a lot though-those damm loose tuna everywhere under foot when a few trash cans full of them took a spill a few times. This was a great bunch to fish with-nice to meet everyone and share tight lines with. Next year, my friend Duncan's aboard. One tired Mark

whaleraddict · 08-20-2006, 08:35 PM

WOW! Great Story... Sounds like a trip of a lifetime.

Thanks for sharing

.

Onokai · 08-20-2006, 08:40 PM

I only have a few photos as I was busy fishing heres most of the time.
The boat

The tank

Carking at sea

The Desperados

TNAL · 08-20-2006, 09:14 PM

great post, thanks for sharing.

Flush Release · 08-20-2006, 09:24 PM

I see you got home OK, nice to meet you this morning.

Noel

Onokai · 08-20-2006, 09:39 PM

Thanks Noel for those water weapons. I'll try to put them to good use. Mark

KillerBeee · 08-21-2006, 07:22 AM

Our turn is coming on the very same boat! My friends and I are getting itchy trigger fingers.
Beeeeeeeeeeeee

CATCH AND EAT · 08-21-2006, 08:08 AM

That sounds like a great trip guys. What a bunch of fun you had. And the weather was sporty to boot. Man we need our live bait back in Ilwaco.

crabbait · 08-21-2006, 12:32 PM

What's up with the B/W photos Riverliver? Was the trip so expensive that you couldn't afford color film?

CATCH AND EAT · 08-21-2006, 12:38 PM

Ed Wing Wiring in his camera?????

Freakwater · 08-21-2006, 12:47 PM

But don't they look....... arty? This is my fav. Hoggemin thinking, "Is that really a 20' wave coming at us?"

Funny, the other pix don't do justice to how nasty the seas were, but I don't recall them looking this bad. The boat must be sliding down the backside of one swell while looking at the next one coming.

Freakwater

Onokai · 08-21-2006, 12:50 PM

John post some more-I was to busy to take any while fishing-need to see more. Mark

Freakwater · 08-21-2006, 12:53 PM

I took a grand total of zero. I think the other Mark got quite a few. And Peter Mac?

Freakwater

Onokai · 08-21-2006, 12:57 PM

Just noticed you to are a JB fan as well. Oh well on the photos I posted most of mine already-wish I had some of the carnage. Mark

PeterMac · 08-21-2006, 02:32 PM

John, send me your email and I can forward them to you. I am not edumacated enough to post them. I have a few good ones I think.

PeterMac

Mr. Fisherman · 08-21-2006, 03:36 PM

Pete, you can send them to me and I can try to get them posted.

Mark is emailing his to me too and we'll get em up.

Is anyone else still sore?

Who wants to be the first to try Tabers Smoked Tasty Tuna Toasties?

bait boy · 08-21-2006, 03:40 PM

Bring some in to work tonite and we'll find out!!! glad you had a good time!! sounds like a blast even in the less than optimal conditions.

FASTWATER · 08-21-2006, 03:48 PM

Welcome to the Westport real DARKSIDE guys!!!PEACE

Super Fluke · 08-21-2006, 06:33 PM

Nice pics

Edward Baduria · 08-21-2006, 08:07 PM

Great Pics! I'll be going on the Rampage in late Sept, can't wait. I was worried about my gear, it appears to be right on par. Spinning gear/conventional live bait and swimtrap setups. Thanks for a detailed description of the gear you used.

Tightlines

Riverliver · 08-21-2006, 08:47 PM

EB
Randy has good gear if it was me I wouldn't bring anything he has everything you need. Just bring your personal stuff and leave the fishing gear to him.. Thats just my two cents the guy and his crew have this San Diego style tuna fishing down to a ART.
Tight line
Greg

Edward Baduria · 08-21-2006, 09:03 PM

Riverliver,

That's good to know they're a quality outfit. Though I enjoy Albi fishing, this trip is more of a test on some of spinning gear I just bought. I'll be taking a trip down to Costa Rica for about a month chasing Sailfish, Dorado, school tuna. Best to check out my gear before I get down there.

Cheers

Mr. Fisherman · 08-21-2006, 09:37 PM

EB, Make sure you spool your outfits with 25# mono. He dosen't allow tuff lines and prefers all the rods have the same line to keep things lined out better.
I wish I had known that before I went.

Edward Baduria · 08-21-2006, 09:50 PM

Hey F,

Thanks for inside info. What do you think the captain would say if I had 100 yds of 25 lbs test topshot the rest backing with powerpro? How about the live bait rods, my brother prefers to use his 20lbs, 25lbs, and 30lbs livebait jigging rod. Do you think he should bring all three? Thanks for your Advice.

Tightlines

Onokai · 08-21-2006, 11:00 PM

Just so long as the topshot is all that ever shows you'll be fine the crew will not handle anything except mono. There is really no need to back the reels for live bait as you should not lose that much line from hook ups. the 25 # class is all you will need. I fished a 20# setup alot and a 25# setup. I had a 30# but did not need it. Less is better as there is no space for extra stuff-3 rods max is my next trip
Tuna tango Mark

Mr. Fisherman · 08-21-2006, 11:18 PM

What he said...

I had several fish take 150 yards in the time it took to say "Fresh one!".

Just spool them up with 25# and you will never have to worry about it.

StickFish · 08-22-2006, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Who wants to be the first to try Tabers Smoked Tasty Tuna Toasties?

When is lunch?

Sea Jypzee · 08-22-2006, 05:02 AM

What a great read and pictures guys.

bait boy · 08-27-2006, 06:00 PM

Has anyone seen Mr Fishermans brand new Drop Harness With Gimbal pad last seen on Mr GQ? Its seems to have gone missing.

Onokai · 08-27-2006, 07:38 PM

I do not have it. But I recall MR GQ yelling that he could not feel his
---ck. I also recall Lee asking for anyone to retrieve his car keys out of his pants pocket-This trip had a few strange twists
Mark

Flush Release · 08-28-2006, 07:12 AM

Quote:

I do not have it. But I recall MR GQ yelling that he could not feel his
---ck. I also recall Lee asking for anyone to retrieve his car keys out of his pants pocket-This trip had a few strange twists
Mark

I'll have to ask him about the "key" incident.

siletzsal · 08-28-2006, 09:30 AM

Wow!! Sounds like alot of lasting memories. My son and a group of friends are heading out this labor day weekend for 2 days of tuna fishing. Only hope their trip is as fun as yours sounds.

Great job!!!

tunahelper · 08-28-2006, 01:00 PM

Brillllliant

Marty · 08-28-2006, 01:48 PM

Whats the recipe for those tuna crispy's..........

Marty

Onokai · 08-28-2006, 05:50 PM

Marty -this is a guarded secret I think. Must have belt worn hand torch for starters. Thats about all I know. mark

bait boy · 08-29-2006, 04:47 AM

Marty i'm sure that Ray would be glad to give you and on the water chef lesson with some fresh fish.... its not near as cool without the holster and serving tray... I still havent tried them yet either...

Metal Manipulator · 08-29-2006, 06:19 AM

Fantastic Trip!!!!!

Good camaraderie and fish galore doesn't get much better than that. Thanks for sharing the wonderful stories and Pic's.

Thanks Robin

bigfishslayer · 08-29-2006, 09:17 AM

Thanks again to all of you for a great trip!!!

I am looking forward to next year

Mr. Fisherman · 08-29-2006, 09:29 AM

Travis, Check your PMs.

Mr. Fisherman · 08-31-2006, 09:27 PM

Well, I talked to the guy that I saw wearing my new drop gimble harness belt and he reports he put it back.

I thought Mark (not Onokai) had put it in his bag, but he had packed his belt, not mine.

My harness and belt is missing.
If anyone has any idea where it went I would appreciate it's return. It was new and I haven't even had a chance to use it yet.
It would be nice if someone would have asked to use it before removing it from my tackle bag, that would have been fine. It would be even better to have it put back where it came from <u>or at least returned </u>

. (end rant)

Onokai · 08-31-2006, 10:48 PM

OK guys there are only 9 suspects unless ray stole his own harness. I have 4 of them and took my small black leather one which I brought home. Now we all chowed down on Rays tuna treats so someone send that puppy back to him-seems fair. Better call the boat Ray and double check with them. Travis seemed to be yelling something about a sore D-----K. I wonder naw

Mark

Mr. Fisherman · 09-01-2006, 02:58 AM

I am waiting patiently...

By the way, Mark still needs to get me his pics.
When he does I'll post them.

When my gimbal harnes shows up I'll post that too....

PeterMac · 09-01-2006, 06:35 AM

I am all healed now, but I had the bruises to prove that I never once wore a harness on that trip (okay, I know you could easily twist that statement all up into some sort of sick event, or events, but let's just not go there!).

Hope it shows up Ray.

PeterMac