The annual Father/Son trip on the Polaris Supreme over the Father's Day weekend is always a ton of fun, and has historically enjoyed great fishing, but the most recent trip saw 10 kids or son-in-laws fishing with their dads experience world class, trophy yellowtail fishing. Captain Drew Henderson steered the Polaris Supreme through the potential tuna grounds on our way to the Benitos/Cedros areas and saw beautiful deep purple, 63 degree water loaded with bait, but no tuna. But when we got to the islands there were plenty of yellows willing to play. Unfortunately, there were plenty of hungry sea lions who wanted a free meal for whom we reluctantly sponsored a feast.

The next morning before first light a couple of early birds got the worm landing the first two trophy yellowtail over 45 pounds. Rick Parks started it off with his first ever yellowtail, a giant which tipped the scales at just under 50 pounds. After sunrise Captain Henderson started the engines looking for feeding birds and schools of boiling tails. It didn't take long. These were better grade fish than I have ever seen on any of my previous 25 plus long range trips. The yellowtail averaged about 28 pounds. There seemed to be none less than 20 pounds and there were seven between 40 and 60 pounds. Unfortunately, Norin Grancell's 60 pound yellow was bitten by a sea lion making it ineligible for the jackpot. This trip may have spoiled all of us setting the bar to unrealistic and unachievable expectations for the future. Rick Parks had never caught a yellowtail or white sea bass and scored two yellows and a WSB all over 45 pounds ??? yeah, that's normal!!!!

There were 8 kids on board with their dads plus Grancell's two sons-in-law. All "kids" except for one scored their personal best yellowtail on the trip. In total 15 anglers scored their personal best and 9 scored their first ever of a species. To top things off Alex Bravo caught a 25 pound halibut on a surface iron and Mark Taylor caught a 67 pound Opah. On the ride back through the tuna grounds heading home we also received a bonus catching another 7 blue fin tuna and a couple of big albacore.

The 8 kids ranged in age from 9 to 14 years of age. Several kids were on their first long range fishing trip, but by the end of the first day they were fishing like pros, selecting their own baits, casting and hooking their own fish. By the end of the trip they were all veteran long rangers who can't wait for next years Father's Day.

Congratulations kids for your excellent fishing trip and great sportsman-like conduct. Alex Bravo, Jr., Noah Collins, Daniel Jacobsen, Sydney Mack and Joey Parks were on their first long range fishing trip and their skills development and learning curve were phenomenal. Daniel Delgado, Arthur Shiffman and Sean Taylor were our veteran kids on board who helped show the new kids the ropes. Congratulations also to all the dads, whose love, mentoring and parenting skills were reflected in the wonderful smiles, hugs, high fives, laughter, good sportsmanship and excellent behavior of the kids during the entire trip.

Each of the kids bought their dad a Fathers Day yoyo iron and we immediately suggested a contest for the first fish landed on the gift jig. Dads Alex Bravo and Fritz Jacobsen hooked up almost simultaneously and struggled to horse their 30 pound yellows to the boat. Fritz landed his 5 seconds before Alex and they both received Booyaa T-Shirts donated by Booyaa Clothing. All of the other hats and t-shirts generously donated by Booyaa were distributed by raffle, and the Accurate Reel donated by 976TUNA was won in a cash raffle by lucky JC Hardemion, with all of the cash going to the 976TUNA Youth Fishing Program.

With 8 kids on board the Polaris Supreme seems like a much bigger boat than it already is. With one tackle box per father/son team, fewer rods than normal per long range angler and the smaller physical size of kids versus adults, there just seems to be a lot more space at the rail and in the tackle box area and rod holders. The kids also begin to mix and bond instantly and play games during any period of non-fishing time, which is good for the dads and the kids.

Thanks to our sponsors, Booyaa and 976TUNA. Take a look at their web sites at HYPERLINK "http://www.booyaaclothing.com" www.booyaaclothing.com and HYPERLINK "http://www.976TUNA.com" www.976TUNA.com, and remember the best way to thank your sponsors is to buy their products, take their charters and support their causes.

Thanks also to the fantastic crew aboard the Polaris Supreme for your excellent service and professionalism. And thank you Chef Tommy Zee for your culinary delights, including such notable treats like the giant shrimp mojito pyramid, huge tub of giant garlic crab legs and claws, lobster tails, pork loin roast and prime rib all done to absolute perfection. This was Chef Zee's first trip on the Polaris Supreme, so the tradition of culinary excellence on board this vessel seems firmly in place.

Jack pots were captured by Mark Taylor for his 67 pound rare and beautifully colored Opah, Rick Parks for the biggest of his three giant fish (54 pounds) and Alex Bravo for his biggest ever yellowtail (47 pounds). The kids could enter the regular JP and the kids JP and the winners were, Alex Bravo Jr., for his 42 pound mossback, Sydney for her 33 pound bluefin tuna and Daniel Jacobsen for his 32 pound yellowtail. All jack pot fish were personal bests for these anglers.

This Fathers Day Special father/son, mother/daughter trip is very popular so if you are interested in joining next year's fun call the Polaris Supreme at 619/390-7890 right away to get your names on the list. If you have any questions you can also call or email Charter Master Larry Brown at 310/578-2288