Wolf Pack Trip on My Susy

4 DRYC fishermen on the 70 foot My Susy had a long fun ride out for Tuna. On board was Marty S. (captain), Richard S., Larry G. and myself.

One of the reasons we went is that Marty wanted to run his boat to San Diego. And to be part of the Wolf Pack to share fishing info between friends boats. Unfortunately none of the fellow boats in the DRYC Wolf Pack wanted to go the distance to find them down south. So we were a pack of One!

Sunday...

We all arrived and stocked the boat late in the evening. Barely boarded in time to pick up bait at the docks before they closed at 6 pm. Left MDR as the last light faded. Marty set us up a Night Run from MDR to the fishing grounds. I had the 3 am to 5 am watch. I forced myself to go to bed early. Did not go back to bed at my watch end, went aft to set up and sort the tackle. Had too much to choose from and many options to be worked out. Marty had a wide array of rods, reels, lures and terminal tackle. Fun.

Monday...
We fished at the Butterfly Bank. Nothing in the flat waters in the early am. Then when we turned for Ensenada (for tele-com repairs) we eventually came across the area with fish. As reported these fish had Lock Jaw. Very boat shy. It was so frustrating to see tuna breaking the surface (more than once near the boat) and no bites! Not on the troll or live bait. Saw whales, dolphin, tuna, bait. - nice day on the smooth water.

Tuesday...
Todos Santos area south of Ensenada. No yellowtail. No good bites on the local bottom fish. We tried and Larry only landed one good keeper red rock fish. the various Ling Cod were all successfully released. I've got the opinion that Ling Cod with their toothy head look very prehistoric. AND are more trouble to clean than they are worth.

Night Run from Todos Santos to the fishing gounds and the tuna.

Wednesday...
Once we got down to the numbers over the "Airplane Bank" we did find the fish. The first fish came over the rail around 7:50 am. I had it on the troller. Larry put out the live baits. Then we switched it up and Larry boated a trolled fish or two. Next we put Richard S on a few of the Trolled Tuna. Marty wanted his on live line and tried a few casts as we stopped for a tolling stop. Marty did however spend a lot of time keeping the boat aligned so the boat did not get in the trough. He is a good boatsman. However the waves and wind built up fast and we had to give up and turn for home with only 11 fish on deck from 13 to 20 lbs. Weds 08-17-2011 we fished the area 150 miles south of San Diego at 166 degrees. A long run up hill from there in big seas got us very salt encrusted. Even in the top most decks of the boat got the spray. Wow.

Richard and I get a quick pose after we weighed them up.

Nice to catch them.

Thursday...
We overnighted up (set more watches) and eventually drifted in the lee of the Coronados Islands until the sun came up. We needed the rest. We fished some there with little baits and lures. No bites at all. Then we moved up over the 9 Mile Bank for a few minutes of marlin trolling. I think this was just a small detour that Marty did to satisfy my itch. Smooth and glassy water made it easy going and we found kelp paddies to cast on. No yellowtails at Coronados or on the paddies. So we eventually turned in for the customs stop in San Diego and docking at the SDYC. Nice evening. We cleaned up and ate at the club. Sweet.

Friday...
It was a lazy day in the harbor. Richard and I walked the docks and the amazing SDYC facility. We really got an eye full of beautiful boats. We redocked the boat at a location where My Susy could stay for the longer term. I dove home. Tired. Feeling rewarded to have Tuna to go into the freezer. Looking forward to my next trip out to Catalina for a family and friends vacation. No hard core fishing for a few days. At least until the marlin tournament(s).

Special thanks goes to the Crew and Captain of the My Susy. Good guys to boat with.

Fish Wish Granted. It went well.

Keith

Friday morning thoughts...

Lately I have had some big ups and downs.

Then this thought crossed my mind. "Savor small joys."

So I made this post of Facebook:

Small joys need to be savored. The hug form a child. A fresh razor blade to shave with. The first cooling sips of your 5 o'clock margarita. TGIF to all you FBook friends.
BTW, What small joys did you savor this week?

As I get to experience a nice little this and that. I must savor it. Find a way to savor the marrow of the every day experiences or I will drive myself crazy. This after finally putting on a fresh razor blade this morning?!?!?

I visited with some family last night. Reconnected with my sister. She is in town with her grandson Luke. I got a few hugs from him over the last couple of days. He is 4 years old. Not even in kindergarten yet. He loves cars. He and my 14 year old boy went to Lego Land on Tuesday. Thomas stuck with Luke and was a good cousin.

My sister and mom shared tales of how responsible and kind my big (high school freshman in 3 weeks) son was with the little 4 year old. Playing with Lego. Waiting in long lines with Luke. Not taking the time to ride any big kids rides at all. Preferring to hang out and make sure that Luke had a good time.

I'm proud of him. My son Thomas.

BTW I took him down to the docks last week (July 26th) and had him come with us as a Fishing Mentor with a bunch of kids form Mychals Learning Place. he worked with the special needs kids to help them experience a bit of fishing. Part of the MDRAnglers youth fishing program. It was cool that he helped. He did well. I did have to sneak it up on him. He would not have volunteered to do it as he does not enjoy fishing like I do. But he did say he was OK with it after the fact.

Thomas on the far right with the kids. It was a very good day of fishing and of catching.

But that leads to another story about the fishing.

The small joys. Time spent on the water.

Seeing your son blossom into a caring individual.

Sharing.

Fishing Dad is very happy about that.

Keith L.