This 36 hour offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was headed up by Capt. Tony Langston, also aboard to assist him was Capt. Rhonda Cummins. Leaving Galveston's Pier 19 with 34 fishermen aboard a turn south was made after passing the end of the south jetty. Seas were running about 4 ft. and the ride in the direction of Stetson Rock began. The first stop of the trip was made at mid-afternoon with kingfish the primary target. This rock formation, about 72 miles offshore, has around 65 ft. of water over the top. The kingfish were there, and when a move farther offshore was made, 21 of them, to 22 lbs. were in the fish boxes. They hit freelined sardines. Also taken was a sardine eating sandbar shark, estimated to be about 6-1/2 ft. in length. It was released at boat side after a 45 minute fight with Rob Richardson.

Leaving Stetson, a run to the Boom Vang Spar platform began for the overnight fishing; hopefully, the yellowfin tuna would be there. Unfortunately, wind and sea conditions were picking up. Upon arriving at Boom Vang, which is 127 nautical miles SSE of the island in 3,150 ft. of water, fishing for tuna began. Chunk baits, Diamond jigs, butterfly jigs and sardines weren't generating a lot of interest, and this lack of action made a move necessary after a number of drifts. Nancen was the next area to be fished. Nancen Span production platform is about 8 miles to the East of Boom Vang in 3,675 ft. of water. During the numerous drifts that were made from near Nancen to about a mile or so downwind/current, blackfin tuna came aboard in numbers but the yellowfin weren't as enthusiastic about eating. The same offerings were presented to them as were at Boom Vang. When the move inshore started just after daybreak on Sunday, 151 blackfin tuna to 18 lbs. and 3 yellowfin tuna were in the fish boxes. The two heaviest yellowfin went 68 lbs. and 72 lbs. Both ate blackfin chunks that were freelined out. "Breezy & Bumpy" were still there, too, still making things a bit on the uncomfortable side when fishing.

Fishing stops made on the way back to port at Galveston's Pier 19 were in the Claypile area. Rocks in 220-230 ft. of water produced vermilion snapper, yellowtail snapper, rockhind grouper, triggerfish, etc. For the final run to port, and while fishing at Claypile, the winds dropped as well as the wave heights. Those 2-3 ft. wave heights were welcomed by everyone.

The trip's total catch consisted of the following:
?Ģ 3 yellowfin tuna, 2 heaviest at 68 and 72 lbs.
?Ģ 151 blackfin tuna to 18 lbs.
?Ģ 21 kingfish to 27 lbs.
?Ģ 130 vermilion snapper
?Ģ 5 yellowtail snapper to 3 lbs.
?Ģ 5 rockhind grouper
?Ģ 21 bluerunner
?Ģ 1 doctorfish
?Ģ 9 triggerfish
Al Calloway, Katy - 6 blackfin tuna, 2 kingfish.

Randy Derusha, Aubrey, and sons Kirby, Joseph & Daniel - 20 blackfin tuna, vermilion snapper, 8 kingfish. Randy had a 72 lb. yellowfin, the trip's heaviest.

Tom Au, Houston - 20 blackfin tuna, 1 yellowfin tuna.

Tuing Luu, Houston - 20 blackfin tuna.

Rob Richardson, Lone Oak - 4 blackfin tuna, 1 kingfish, 5 vermilion snapper and the 6-1/2 ft. sandbar shark., released at Stetson Rock.

Robert Cannon, Waller - 2 kingfish, 5 blackfin, 8 vermilion snapper, 4 triggerfish.

Bryan "Mudskipper" Treadway, Missouri City - 6 blackfin tuna, vermilion snapper and triggerfish.

Other than the shortage of yellowfin tuna in the catch, this was another of those reliable, multi-species catches. As far as the yellowfin total was concerned, it could have been better, since several were lost at boat side or very close to it. "Breezy & Bumpy" were the uninvited guests but they are the well known and sort of expected visitors on these overnight winter trips. The good side was the catch which came aboard and it was not only taken by fishermen from Texas, but also from Oklahoma, Washington and Virginia. Make your reservation on one or more of these 36 hour tuna trips aboard the Capt. John -- give the Pier 19 office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. If you know anything about keeping "Breezy and Bumpy" away, bring a load of that with you.