We arrived at the dock and were met by Capt Harlen and crew who were just finishing up getting the GALLILEAN ready for our trip. With a limited load of just 16 anglers, things were looking good and the fish reports were getting better. A stop at the bait barge to load up with some 'chovies and dines was under way, while we received our safety briefing in the galley. After the briefing, we raffled off some great prizes from T-shirts from SFR and FISHWORKS PRODUCTS some trolloing jigs from CATCHY TACKLE and some spools of flourocarbon from SEAGUAR. I also let everyone know that the Jackpot winner would receive a $50 gift certificate for use towards a custom built rod from BOBS SPORTING GOODS. We were soon under way and headed south with great anticipation for the next days fishing.

We started day 1 on the troll at about 5:30am and looking for patty's to stop on, we spotted our first patty about an hour later. As we rolled up on the patty, the yell of "hook-up" was soon heard and a nice yellowtail hit the deck. After several Dorado and Yellowtail we put on the deck, we were on the troll again. Capt Harlen and "Eagle Eye" Kirk sighted a patty in the distance with Dorado jumping all around it. This patty turned out the be the "patty of the year", as we fished the patty for about 2 hours and our final tally for this one patty was 42 Dorado, 27 Yellowtail and 7 Yellowfin Tuna. We picked away at the kelp the rest of the day and our final total for the day was 72 Dorado (limits + crew limit), 48 Yellowtail, 19 Yellowfin Tuna, 1 Bluefin Tuna, 3 Black Skipjack (released) and one small Mako (released). A total of 140 fish in the fish hold was a great day for us and an exhausting one. After a superb dinner of chicken spaghetti, Capt Harlen came down and briefed us about tomorrows plans, all 16 of us then gave him and his crew an ovation for a great day on the water and headed to bed to dream about tomorrow.

We were all up early the next morning and eating our breakfast, when Capt Harlen came down and informed us that we were having engine trouble. The engines would not turn over, we were fortunate to have an electrician aboard amoung us. They tried hard to find and correct the problem. But, were unsuccessful and we were dead in the water. We were then told that the GRANDE was on his way down from San Diego to tow us back to the dock. They arrived around 4:00pm, and we were headed home within minutes. A few of the folks decided that all would not be lost and decided to troll on the way home. Would you believe that they had a jig strike and managed to get an Albacore on the deck, without the boat stopping. It was a sight to see and one I'll never forget.

A special thanks to the Grande for making the trip to come to our aid and insuring we all got back to the dock safely. Also, to the crew of the Gallilean and Glenn for trying everything humanly possible to get the boat going. This group of anglers was one of the best I've had the oppourtunity to fish with and keeping your positive attitudes while we waited for help to arrive. THANKS TO YOU ALL, YOU MADE MY TRIP MEMORABLE !!!

If you would like any of the pictures from this very memorable trip please send me an email at john@sportfishingreport.com and I'll get them to you right away.