Hi, Bill:

I'd like your advice on what the best long range boat and time frames are for a guy who'd like to try long range fishing. I was thinking about a trip on the Excel from Dec. 26th 2010 to January 5th 2011. Are there better times of year that offer the bigger YTFs that are complemented by chances of better weather and smoother seas than my first inclination?

I'm a Northern California, Bay Area guy and getting the time off shouldn't be a problem. As with every other fisherman, I fancy the image of myself posing for a photo with recently caught cow or super-cow YFT in the foreground. My best guess from my research so far is that this takes at least a 10 or 11-day commitment to get down to the fishing grounds that make this possible.

I've been following your reports now for months having discovered 976Tuna and the long range reports you make available there have been very interesting. As you are the guy on the dock so to speak I was hoping you'd give me a minute and some advice. Do certain boats fit certain personalities or skill levels of fishing more than others, or is it a potpourri of experience and ability? My experience fishing involves two years now of fishing with the Baja Pirates of La Paz fishing fleet on Triumph 210 boats with my biggest quarry to date being 30-pound dorado.

Sincerely,

Jim Jessup (by email December 21, 2009)

Bill's Reply

Hi, Jim:

Welcome to long range fishing! The trip you've picked should be a good one. It will likely offer a chance at a cow tuna. No guarantees, of course.

These things depend on the water and weather conditions, and of course the fish must be there. They have been there at that time for the past several years, so you should do well.

My experience with the fleet's boats tells me they will all do their best to bring up a newcomer. If you're lacking in gear, the boat may be able to help. If you want advice on equipment or bait selection, the crew will help you with that. If you want to learn how to make a long cast with a sardine, you'll get help.

Each trip on every boat is different. The crew changes, the passengers change from trip to trip, and the fish use their tails to move around. As far as smooth seas go, you've picked a time that usually (note my hedging use of the word), provides good weather conditions, in my experience.

Be ready for tuna of 20 to 300 pounds, listen to the crew and skipper's advice, and enjoy the good food and the comfort of fishing long range from San Diego!

Tight Lines,

Bill