Long Range Advise?

[Anadramous Junkie]

A couple of us are looking at doing a 10 day trip out of San Diego this fall or winter, but have never gone. For those of you that do this, which boat/boats would you recommend? Knowing that we are rookies, is one boat or crew better than another for someone that is going to need a little guidence? What month would you suggest for not only a honest chance at Cows, but an overall good trip? Do I need to know the destination or does that change depending on fishing conditions and the Captain's judgement? Probably some silly questions, but I am ignorant to the deal and have to start somewhere... I realize that this may turn into a Ford vs. Chevy deal at some point, but any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

AJ

[Fish-a-Holic]

AJ, for the most part any of the boats running 10 day trips have great captains and crews. It truly does become a Ford vs. Chevy thing. Most of the crews that run these trips are captains in their own right, but crew for the chance to eventually get to be a captain on the true long range boats, so really they are all pretty dang good. Some boats off the top of my head to look at:

American Angler
Red Rooster
Intrepid
Royal Polaris
Excel
Shogun

And many many more... Just look up San Diego long range in google, and it will get you to the sites that run these trips.

Fall is when the 10 day trips begin, and early on they have a shot at cows, but not real likely. The November trips are where the shots at cows are more realistic, and that builds as time passes. The earlier trips usually see more wahoo, dorado, yellowtail and school size yellowfin (30 to 80 pound models). But of course, every few years they will get some cows going on the October trips.

Your biggest struggle right now will be getting a spot on the early trips (which offer more variety and often more quantity in numbers). I booked my trip in March and got the last 2 spots on a late October trip, so don't delay if your going this year.

Hope this helps...

[Anadramous Junkie]

Fish-a-Holic,

Thanks for the heads up! Is December too late? We have been kind of looking at the intrepid, as it seems to have fewer people. I see a post on another site speculating whether they are at a disadvantage due to not being in the "code group". Do you buy into this? I personally would rather see a mixed bag than to put all my eggs in one basket to try to catch a Cow. 50-80 pound models sound awesome to me, throw in a Wahoo and such and it sounds like a good time! What boat are you going on?

Thanks,
AJ

[Weather or Knot]

A friend of mine from Lake Taho fishes religiouslly on the Excel. He is a gluton for punishment so he fishes in November and seems to get cows on a regular basis. Excel has a web site with lots of good info.


Brandon

[Fish-a-Holic]

I'm running on the American Angler. It should be a great trip. I'm running October 15th through the 25th just for the mixed bag reason. I also am hoping we fish different styles, like anchor fishing, drift fishing etc.

December could well be in the middle of the cows, and actually should be. The problem is if the cows are there, that's what your going to target. It doesn't mean you won't find some of the smaller fish, you just won't be looking for them. A way to get a feel for the timing is go to the different sites and they will have reports. Go to the archives if they have them and read through the different months to get an idea of how the different times of year fish. If you don't find this on some of the other sites, the American Angler has a great section of archived reports for about 5 years back. It gives a great glimpse at the different seasons and how they approach them.

I have heard the Intrepid is one sick ride! I personally wouldn't be affraid of it at all, code boat or no. You might even be able to score an October trip there and that would give you the chance at more variety.

The interesting thing about timing is all the long range deck hands and captains when asked, all say they think the fall 10 day trips are the ones to go on. Intersting fact, isn't it?

Make sure and let us know what you do...it will sure be fun to hear about!

[Back-Breaker]

Originally Posted by Fish-a-Holic

I'm running on the American Angler. It should be a great trip. I'm running October 15th through the 25th just for the mixed bag reason. I also am hoping we fish different styles, like anchor fishing, drift fishing etc.

December could well be in the middle of the cows, and actually should be. The problem is if the cows are there, that's what your going to target. It doesn't mean you won't find some of the smaller fish, you just won't be looking for them. A way to get a feel for the timing is go to the different sites and they will have reports. Go to the archives if they have them and read through the different months to get an idea of how the different times of year fish. If you don't find this on some of the other sites, the American Angler has a great section of archived reports for about 5 years back. It gives a great glimpse at the different seasons and how they approach them.

I have heard the Intrepid is one sick ride! I personally wouldn't be affraid of it at all, code boat or no. You might even be able to score an October trip there and that would give you the chance at more variety.

The interesting thing about timing is all the long range deck hands and captains when asked, all say they think the fall 10 day trips are the ones to go on. Intersting fact, isn't it?

Make sure and let us know what you do...it will sure be fun to hear about!

[Back-Breaker]

I hear Sam on the Angler is a great guy to fish with. Add the Royal Star to the short list of boats to fish. Randy is a certified fish killer and the RS crew is as good as it gets. Like said before, you can't go wrong with most of those boats although each boat cat. and crew have their own distinguishing characteristics. More important, check the dates available and select based on whether you want a good shot at wahoo or if you want to focus on cows. Generally, wahoo fishing is better in October and slows in mid November on the 10 day trips. The cows started later last year... mid to late November off the banks is when they really went off, although they were around in late October. Aslo consider limited load trips. I think they are worth the extra cash. Also check the moon phase.

For my money, I like the trips that leave around Halloween... You get a shot at cows and the wahoo fishing on the banks can be awesome. Plus you get red hot yellowtail fishing and in some years, all the dorado you want to pull on. Lots of mixed grade yellowfin as well. PM me if you want more detail..

[CR dog]

Hey Jason:

The Intriped is a good boat. Most all boats going out for a 10 day trip are good. Just get ready for 5 meals a day and dollar beers. You will have the time of our life. Just remember on a 10 day you may not fish the first 2 days. As you will be traveling down to the south baja. You really should be asking these questions on the other board. As they have a seperate forum on Long Range and you can check how each boat is doing. Good advice can be had there. I try to fish out of San Diego once or twice a year just to remind myself how big fish can get. You will have a different perspective fishing on those boats versus fishing with us in small town Ilwaco. Another thing. You can also use the boats rod and reels. This will keep you from spending alot on out fitting for a trip like this. Now you know why I only have Accurate & Avet reels and custom rods. Your tackle will take a beating with those fish. The long range boats have high end loaners. Just remember one thing, you will have a lot of fish once you land in San Diego. If you drive to San Diego you won't have to much trouble bring home the goods. But if you fly over shipping the catch back home can be costly.

One last thing, take ear plugs just in case you get a room next to the engine room.

Hey I heard from Aaron that you had a good trip last week on a chater boat out of Ilwaco.

[ringwraith]

For my next trip I am likely to try Royal Polaris. The ppl I know that have been on that boat swear by it. For Cows I recommend late Nov thru Xmas. I use 5 star processing and ship my catch home. I use Avet and Calstar also. I recommend getting at least some of your own gear. Some loaners are cool, but you should have some tackle of your own - there can be major scrambles when its hot.

[sixpak]

Last year I went on a 10 day Dec. 26 to Jan 5 on the Independence. We were on the hunt for large model tuna. The only thing is that is pretty much all we were looking for. I caught a few nice yellows on the way down and put some decent fish in the boat 100 lbs was my best. Only 2 or 3 cows were put on the boat this trip. So the cow thing canbe hit or miss. The year before I went on a 10 day on the RP in the middle of November. I did not catch any cows but caught plenty of school size tuna plus marlin, yellowtail, wahoo, lots of big dorado, grouper. It seemed like I was always hooked up to something. The Indy was the nicest boat but if I had to choose I would go on one of the earlier trips late October - November for numbers and variety. Only problem is you can't go just once.

[Anadramous Junkie]

Originally Posted by CR dog

Hey Jason:

The Intriped is a good boat. Most all boats going out for a 10 day trip are good. Just get ready for 5 meals a day and dollar beers. You will have the time of our life. Just remember on a 10 day you may not fish the first 2 days. As you will be traveling down to the south baja. You really should be asking these questions on the other board. As they have a seperate forum on Long Range and you can check how each boat is doing. Good advice can be had there. I try to fish out of San Diego once or twice a year just to remind myself how big fish can get. You will have a different perspective fishing on those boats versus fishing with us in small town Ilwaco. Another thing. You can also use the boats rod and reels. This will keep you from spending alot on out fitting for a trip like this. Now you know why I only have Accurate & Avet reels and custom rods. Your tackle will take a beating with those fish. The long range boats have high end loaners. Just remember one thing, you will have a lot of fish once you land in San Diego. If you drive to San Diego you won't have to much trouble bring home the goods. But if you fly over shipping the catch back home can be costly.

One last thing, take ear plugs just in case you get a room next to the engine room.

Hey I heard from Aaron that you had a good trip last week on a chater boat out of Ilwaco.

James,

How did you guys do last weekend? We put a bunch of fish on the boat, but only about a third of them were on live bait. Honestly that live bait action is what has created this desire to go down south! Pretty AWESOME!!! I've been looking at the web-sites and have posted over there the same questions so now it is just a matter of seeing what is available and deciding on a date! I think I am more into the mixed bag, hopefully I can convince the other party to go then instead of solely for Cows???

Jason

[Hoghunter]

Originally Posted by Anadramous Junkie

James,

How did you guys do last weekend? We put a bunch of fish on the boat, but only about a third of them were on live bait. Honestly that live bait action is what has created this desire to go down south! Pretty AWESOME!!! I've been looking at the web-sites and have posted over there the same questions so now it is just a matter of seeing what is available and deciding on a date! I think I am more into the mixed bag, hopefully I can convince the other party to go then instead of solely for Cows???

Jason

Mixed bag is fun but once you hook one of those big cow's you will go over to the "dark side." I can't speak for any boat but the American Angler. I've been on it with both Sam and Brian and they are both fantastic and the crew is the best.