The morning started out nice. The Ilwaco channel was not bad.
There is nothing better than a Tuna Sunrise. (Or a tequila sunrise for that matter!)
The closer we got to the river the thicker the fog was. Pea soup.
But the captain, (a tuna addict), was ready and willing to go. Just a quick check of the radar equipment to ensure safety as we could hear cargo ships and barges sounding their horns.
Crossing the bar was not too bad. We started off to the south jetty. Looked a little too thick with fog, captain notice a few breakers. Head to the North jetty where visibility was good at a 1/4 mile or less. Peacock spit was having a good workout with breakers. We were inside the channel and avoided that mess. It was really weird looking at the radar, monitoring the blips that showed the commercial traffic. All of a sudden a big tug boat towing a barge appeared. I guess I would have never thought we were that closed to it. Thank goodness for working electronics.
Fog continue until the 124 30 line where blue skies and flat water appeared.
Once the sun was visible, excess clothes were removed and gear ready for jumpers. Not sure what Cod Father, the Teflon Tuna Don, had to do here but looks as if he may be missing the potty can or something.
We continued to fish in this incredible day. Flat ocean and little to no wind. It was kind of creepy at times, as no other boats had been spotted. We called out on the radio a few times and no answer. We were 70 miles out and no one around for miles.
We spotted 3 sets of jumpers for the day. We would sneak into position. Cast herring as bait, we also cast swim baits, and no takers. Tuna were very shy and once we got to about 50 yards down they went. We found one set of jumpers that were really big. OMG they would jump at least 2 feet off the water. What a site. But again the closer we trolled, at 3 knots with swim baits they would just go away.
We also spotted dolphins that were very playful. We must have seen around 10 sunfish for the day.
We trolled Rapala's, closes, jets, swim baits, teasers, birdies, jumpers, etc., and still had no tuna. We ended the day with two drive bye's one on the troll and one on drifting hearing.
Well after going out 70 miles from the jetty tips, we looked at the clock and notice we had better get back if we wanted to cross the bar before max ebb, and in daylight. We never got to blue water. That was 3:30pm and low tide was 8:30pm. We stowed gear, warm clothes were put on, and off we go. At times Cod Father was traveling at 45mph.
We arrived at the bar before 5:30. The only wind was from the CR Buoy east. Hugging the shoreline and blowing. Once we crossed the south jetty buoy, Ray started to notice these huge rollers starting to develop. They keep building and building. All of a sudden we were nearing buoy 10 and in the thick of these huge rollers.
This situation was developing very quickly. Ray was navigating the boat well. Ray put us in the trough of the swells. Riding the back of the swell in front of us. I asked Ray if I should take some pictures. I didn't get any answer. I think the pucker factor was up in scale. I pulled my iphone out and took a few while holding on.
So the Cod Father is traveling at 35 to 45mph to stay in the trough and in the back side of this swell nearing 20ft. Then the swell behind us started to break.
Let me tell you, the distance traveled from buoy 10 to buoy 12 happened in a matter of seconds. You could not see the buoy until it came over the swell in front of you. In fact you couldn't see any land, nothing period. It's easy to see how a boat could get grounded on the south spit.
We shot out the north end of the swell and landed the boat in calmer waters. Looking back you could see the rows of these huge swells going towards Hammond.
What a rush!!! I never had a better ride in my life! The boat was incredible! Well the captain was good also. I asked if we could do it again! Didn't get a very good answer back. Oh well.
(Hey we don't put pictures on the side of our boats of breaking waves. Oh no. We lived it!):grin:
Well I guess Cod Father and CR Dog have decided to call it a season. But only out of the CR. A 150 mile trip with no tuna. Well there is a first for everything. Cod Father had never been skunked and neither had I. We had a lot of explaining to do with the wives!
We shed a few tear as this has been an incredible season. I believe Cod Father has been out over 28 times. This trip was my 20th time out into the big pond they call the Pacific.
So I leave you with a fare well song!
Softly falls the night of day.
As we put our gear away.
Silently one should ask.
Have I done my daily tasks.
Have I kept my honor bright?
Releasing all that's not right.
Half I done and half I dare.
Everything to be prepared.
Day is done, under sun, from the seas, through the bar, to the docks.
All is well,
Safely rest.
Good night, and may the great master of all good Mariners,
be with you until we chase tuna again.
Cod Father out!
Cr Dog out!
CR dog
CR Tuna report 10-13-07, warning lots of pics
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