Join SFR and Fish Trap Lures on Qualifier 105 skiff trip
Qualifier 105 Sportfishing is the newest sponsor of SportfishingReport.com. SFR and the Q105 will be teaming up with Fish Trap Lures June 4-11 for the annual skiff trip to legendary big bass and yellowtail spots such as Isla Geronimo, San Benitos, Cedros, Natividad and Chester's.

On what other trip could you catch a 54-pound yellowtail on the surface iron and lose out on big fish honors? Or have an 8.5-pound calico bass rip a jig from the mouth of a 5 pounder only to unbutton right at the boat -- whereupon your buddy plops a Fish Trap straight down on the bull bass's head and catches his biggest calico of the trip? Both happened to me the last time I joined Barry Brightenburg and his friends on a June skiff run on the Qualifier 105. And that was just on the big boat!

Climbing down in a skiff to get your nose right up against those islands you usually only see in the distance is an experience everyone who wants to see what California used to be like has to try. One time in a skiff with Alex Rentziperis and Brightenburg, driver Tom Campbell got us all to pucker when the surge sucked out and exposed a huge bald nobbed boiler. In response to our expressions, Tom simply said, "Can you touch the bottom with your rod tip?" Nope. We were deep enough.

A big baitcaster (think Curado or Revo) loaded with straight 65-pound Spectra is the way to go fishing the swim baits in the thick of the kelp and boilers. If you do want to mess with a knot and fluorocarbon, don't settle for anything less than Seaguar of the same strength. Monster white seabass and yellowtail live in the thick stuff, too. The only other rig you need (if you are one of those addicted to artificial lures) is the long rod to throw the plug (surface iron). Personal preference comes into play here, but something in a at least 8 1/2 feet is called for and don't offer up anything less than 40-pound test mono.

The Butterfly or yo-yo jig comes in handy at times and don't forget a few of the heavier style jigs for catching big red rockfish for dinner on the way up and down the Baja coast.

The weather is usually good because even if it's not you'll end up in the lee of an island. There are two skiff rotations each morning and afternoon depending on the wind and once the last skiff of the day is brought aboard it's officially cocktail hour. The food's great and so is the company. We'll have some great giveaways, but you should only come if you like to catch a lot of fish and have fun.

Oh, and it helps if it gives you a thrill to see 40-plus-pounds of mossback go crosseyed in the wake of your Salas 7x.

For more information on the Fish Trap trip or any of the other skiff and kayak trips offered on the Qualifier 105 click here.