I love to write about our trips, but often wonder how in depth to get, or even if anyone takes the time to read them. I know however that this one needs to be out there, as the 33 guys who were onboard have already begun to ask where the pictures are.

Here we go.

The trip started like many trips onboard the Ranger 85.scheduled as an open party trip, things always have the feel of a private charter where all onboard know each other. We try to remain consistent in our scheduling year after year, and over time the same guys.however unrelated, fish the same trips year after year. Before long all know each other by their annual event.

The makeup of this trip was easy.one guy took 22 spots while the other took 11. These same guys fish this way year after year. A huge thank you to both Ben Martin and Nick Osenbaugh for their organizational efforts. These guys are the ones who organize the trip, and I mean organize.

We gathered together as a group as is customary prior to departure and went over a plan for the next couple days. All onboard we anxious to depart and they looked like kids the night before Christmas.

The forecast had other plans for us however. We knew we had our work cut out for us on Saturday, as 30-40 knot winds were forecast, but on the same hand, all indications were for a break on Sunday. Armed with the information, I informed all that we had to put our battle armor on and tough it out on Saturday and get after it on Sunday and so it went. Saturday found us fishing the south side of Santa Rosa in 20 knots of breeze. Things were a bit slow, so we inched our way ever closer to our ultimate destination, San Miguel Island. For those of you who know, this can be a most inhospitable place, yet consequently it also has extremely good fishing for those willing to take the journey.

We toughed it out the balance of the day at San Miguel, know there would be relief and redemption on Sunday. By 6 pm, the wind had reach its peak of a sustained 30 knots and we decided to head for the anchorage, have dinner and relax after a day of tough conditions and challenging conditions.

Staying the night in Cuylers is an experience in itself. There are huge colonies of elephant seals that below all night. The scenery is surreal, and the break from the choppy ocean always welcome. We departed Cuylers at 0530 in position alpha poised to get back what we lost yesterday a full day of productive fishing.

We started by 0630 and as anticipated; we had our break in the weather. The ocean had calmed, the drift had slowed and we went to work like a machine putting together our catch. The water is still cold, so rockfish were the target species. We selective targeted quality fish to round out or catch for the trip. All in all, we ended up with limits of rockfish (660) 38 Lingcod, an awesome catch considering the hand we were dealt due to weather.

Thanks to all for fishing hard Ben, Mercy, Chuck, Nick, Garrett, Gary, Scott, Steve, Mike, John, Roy, Antoine and everyone else. You guys make this trip. I look forward to this one every year, and I'm hearing the Ben is organizing a second for July did someone say Seabass?

See you guys on the water.

Capt. Frank