November 6, 2015
November 6, 201532 yellowtail caught at the Coronado Islands today on the Old Glory!
Passports required!
November 6th, 2015
November 6, 2015The weekend weather looks great. Check out our complete schedule of trips!
The Wheelhouse Scoop, Legends of fall
November 4, 2015[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]In the fall fishing is hot like our weather usually is and yet angler demand drops, just as folks erroneously think our temps should be. Despite the best and most exotic opportunities of the year, angler’s focus seems to shift. Some are busy with family, getting kids off to school. Others are thinking about big game and waterfowl and wing shooting.
Whatever the reasons are, the boat crews are left with open days and awesome fishing. In years past, some charter boats would make the pilgrimage northward to the Central Coast, following the fish and fishing to fill the hold with albacore for market.
Others, might run a crew trip here and there. The boat’s crew, and a few good friends from other boats get together and go. Perhaps a few calls go out to the good guys that helped them prepare for and make it through the season; the electronics guy that came down at 8 P.M. to fix the radar, investors and silent partners, the mechanic who in-framed the gen-set between trips, the window guy who got them the good-guy deal on new glass, or the carpenter who rebuilt the galley countertops.
Sometimes it’s fishing unsuitable for a boatful of weekend warriors, ops that had to be passed on such as a shot at bill-fish or big-eye. Perhaps it’s a new school of yellowfin, so vast and so hungry they bite anything thrown. Usually there is a story, because this is when the crazy stuff happens.
A few of the best will endure the years, attaining the quality of legend. The most extraordinary become sublime. Gaining grandeur and loosing detail in the many retellings, the tale attains a mythical aura. But most simply fade with time, as stories do.
This is a story not likely to fade.
Capt. Chuck Taft has been fishing, captaining charter boats since 1959. He is the brother of Bobby Taft of the Top Gun 80, and they are the sons of Capt. Spike Taft, who built and ran the speedy triple-screw charter boat Patrician, before becoming one of the most well respected marine surveyors in the industry.
Chuck has a son, Steven, a licensed captain too now. Chuck owns a small fleet of charter boats, the Legend, Sea Adventure II, Alicia, Jig Strike and Seeker, all of which run from H&M Landing in San Diego. But in all his years, he had never had the opportunity to catch a wahoo. Although extensive, his vast time at sea was almost exclusively inside of 4-day range. Son Steve hadn’t had a shot at one yet either.
This fall wahoo showed in numbers locally, first time he’s ever seen it. Although last fall brought the first few wahoo to the area, this season’s abundance is unprecedented. With the Legend having an open day, Chuck decided to take a shot at putting his son on his first ‘hoo, and perhaps get his first ever too.
October 15th, the plan was to head south to the Coronado Islands, he, son Steve, and a few good guys and crew, a total of 10 aboard, would go. The hope was to put a couple or three skinnies on deck for the day.
What they encountered was unbelievable. The story Chuck told sounded like Alijos Rocks in bite-mode, much more than ¾-day at The Islands. At 6:30 there were fish on the sonar. Turning on them and throwing bait brought the skinnies up charging through the wake. They got one on the wahoo bomb and one on a Raider jig. It got better from there. Taft said they had a couple of stops where they had 8 or 9 going at once. That’s everybody, but the man on the tank!
Oh, by the way, usually if you call for a gaff on a crew trip during full-speed fishing, nobodies coming; somebody’s handing you a gaff with their free hand. But in this case, no one’s one-handing a wahoo. Perhaps it was a good thing that half of all wahoo bites end up quickly escaping. They grab the iron hard with teeth so sharp they sink into metal. A ‘hoo will “dog-bone” a jig, and a few seconds and 30 yards of line later, simply let go.
One stop they started with 4 fish and only one stuck. Dragging the “Cow Bell” (Ballyhood’s 32-ounce Banchee A-Salt Weapon) and marauders they had 3 triple-jig-strikes, trolling into sonar marks, and a total of 9 stops for the morning. The fish came rocketing out of the wake and charging the corner. At one point Steve Taft had a fish eat the bomb just 5 feet from the boat.
By the end of the bite, the ten of them had boated 29 WAHOO from 40 to 75 pounds, AT THE CORONADOS! Many more had escaped, perhaps half, said Capt. Chuck. “There hasn’t been anything like this on a 1-day boat in all the years” he said. With an estimated 55-pound average weight, that’s better quality than most of the best of long-range razor-lip bites.
Most of the fish were caught on just 30- and 40-pound gear said Chuck. Live sardines fly-lined on wire, wahoo bombs and Raider jigs accounted for the bulk of them. Not only did Steve and Chuck Taft each catch their first wahoo ever, but Steve got his first full limit of ‘hoos.
That evening they were back out on a lobster hooping twilight trip and got 14 legal bugs, not bad day of local fishing!
Merit McCrea is saltwater editor for Western Outdoor News. A veteran Southern California partyboat captain, he also works as a marine research scientist with the Love Lab at the University of California at Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute. He can be reached at: [email protected].
CAPTIANS Rick Scott, (Ocean Odyssey) Chuck Taft and Steve Taft (Legend, Sea Adventure Sportfishing) with local wahoo, on a Legend ¾-day goof-off that hauled in 29 skinnies for 10 aboard.
LOCAL ‘hoo heros show what happens when anglers stay home and leave boat crews to go ¾-day fishing on their own.[/fusion_text][/fullwidth]
Oct 30th 2015
November 2, 2015-
IT’S NOT OVER!
- 95 YELLOWTAIL AND MORE CAUGHT ON THE MALIHINI!
- WE ARE FISHING 3/4 DAY AT THE CORONADO ISLANDS! DAILY DEPARTURES. PASSPORT REQUIRED.
- 1/2 DAY, 3/4 DAY, FULL DAY AND LOBSTER HOOPING TRIPS ARE SCHEDULED TO DEPART DAILY!
- SEE THE INDIVIDUAL REPORTS ON OUR FISH COUNT PAGE!
Nature Cruise March 26, Saturday and March 27, Sunday
March 27, 2015Passengers enjoyed the antics of a large pod of common dolphins as they headed
southwest Saturday morning. Almost immediately after the dolphin extravaganza,
passengers viewed the courtship behavior of two or three Eastern Pacific gray
whales. As always, passengers enjoyed seeing the hundreds of sea lions, many
harbor seals and a few remaining elephant seals on The Coronados Islands. As
the tide was low, many black oyster catchers were spotted feeding on the mussels
– their favorite food. After a tour of the Islands, four more gray whales were
spotted on their northern trek. Several of the passengers expressed interest in
the upcoming blue whale trips and overnight trips to Los Coronados this summer.
Whalers Judy and Diane were happy to be on board for this terrific cruise to
the Islands.
Light rain showers Sunday morning did not dampen the passengers’ enthusiasm for
seeing at least 10 to 12 fin whales feeding; three of which ventured very close
to the vessel, allowing all to see just how large these animals truly are.
Several of these whales traveled together in a line on their search for food.
Whalers Terry and Diane had not seen so many fin whales in one location this
season and were thrilled with the sighting. A few bottlenose dolphin were seen
as we left San Diego and upon the return trip from the Islands. Sea lions,
harbor seals, elephant seals and the sea birds delighted passengers as always.
Sunny skies and a very glassy sea made for a pleasant return to San Diego, with
spouts of gray whales seen in the distance.
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise March 19, Saturday
March 19, 2015Light rain showers cleared early, making for an enjoyable Nature Cruise for
passengers joining San Diego Natural History Museum Whalers Laurie and Uli on
Saturday. Everyone on board got a good look at a northbound pod of five Eastern
Pacific Gray Whales, followed by a pod of dolphin. Harbor seals, elephant seals
and great numbers of sea lions were observed in their natural habitat….as well
as many of the sea birds found on Los Coronados. Passengers, as always, also
enjoyed Captain Ben’s narration of the colorful history of the islands.
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise March 17, Thursday
March 17, 2015The “Luck of the Irish” was with passengers on board today’s Nature
Cruise…..good sightings of 12 gray whales, including a young whale that
breached six times! Additionally, spouts of 20 different gray whales were seen
as we transited to Los Coronados Islands. A small pod of Pacific white-sided
dolphins swam by the vessel; soon a megapod of hundreds, if not thousands, of
common dolphins were observed jumping, tail slapping, and generally having a
great time, as were the passengers. A few elephant seals remain at Sunset Cove,
and many harbor seals and their young were spotted. One brown booby chick was
spotted in a nest with its parents, and a few pelican chicks were seen in the
many nests on Dead Man’s Island. Entering San Diego Harbor, we were briefly
escorted by a few bottlenose dolphins, ending a day with terrific sightings of
marine mammals and birds. One couple exclaimed to me, “This was the trip of a
lifetime.”
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise March 12 and 13, Saturday and Sunday
March 13, 2015Passengers on Saturday‘s Nature Cruise were thrilled when they came upon
approximately 2,000 common dolphins frolicking in the water, tail slapping and
high jumping, as well as surfing the wake of the vessel. The elephant seals,
harbor seals with their pups and hundreds of sea lions were enthusiastically
observed. Many brown pelicans were seen on their nests, and in one nest three
chicks were observed feeding. Passengers also got to watch part of the northern
migration of three Eastern Pacific gray whales. Perhaps due to the recent
earthquake/tsunami, the swells were higher than on most Nature Cruises.
Nonetheless, passengers, along with Museum Whalers Sheri and Diane, enjoyed the
day.
Sunday the ocean had calmed and passengers enjoyed seeing three of the four
local species of dolphins, including Pacific white-sided, common and offshore
bottlenose. In the morning three northbound gray whales were observed, one
showing its flukes several times. A very young brown boobie chick was seen in
its nest high on Bird Rock. Several black oyster catchers were seen as well as
a hybrid black/American oyster catcher. The highlight of the day was watching a
pod of five gray whales exhibiting mating behavior, closely followed by some
offshore bottlenose dolphins. A group of “birders” from Indiana were thrilled
to see so many birds they had never before observed. Whalers Gaynell and Diane,
along with all the passengers, thoroughly enjoyed the day on the water.
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise March 5 and 6, Saturday and Sunday
March 5, 2015Passengers joining whalers Judy and Diane had a great day on the water on
Saturday–warm day, calm seas. Everyone enjoyed seeing hundreds of dolphins
feeding, followed by a good sighting of four Eastern Pacific Gray Whales on
their northern migration. Several black oyster catchers were spotted, and all
enjoyed the graceful flight of the brown boobies. Once again, the Nature Cruise
was a very enjoyable experience for all on board.
Saturday the weather was a little less welcoming, with a cool breeze and
somewhat choppy seas due to a storm headed our way. In spite of somewhat
uncomfortable conditions, passengers and whalers Terry and Diane were thrilled
by the antics of a megapod of common dolphins–probably more than 1,000. A
minke whale was spotted, but it seemed a day of “disappearing whales.” After
enjoying the elephant seals, sea lions and harbor seals, and many sea birds, a
couple more spouts were sighted–but once again we were “given the slip” by the
sneaky whales. Right before entering San Diego Bay the blows of another whale
were observed…and once again the whale got away before we got a good look –
unusual day, but passengers had a good time and many expressed interest in
returning for one of the summer’s blue whale cruises.
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise February 27, Sunday
February 27, 2015After a stormy couple days, passengers, along with Whaler Ida, enjoyed a great
Nature Cruise. A couple northbound gray whales were sighted on the way to the
Islands, but they were somewhat elusive. Several hundred common dolphins were
spread out over quite a large area, apparently feeding. Close to the small
island, passengers were treated to a sight rarely seen on cruises–mating gray
whales! Of course all were delighted with the islands’ bounty of harbor seals,
elephant seals and many species of birds. All on board had a wonderful time!
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise February 12, Saturday
February 12, 2015Passengers joining San Diego Natural History Museum Whalers Alan and Heather on
the Bright and Morning Star were treated to watching gray whales on both their
northbound and southbound journeys. The three southbound whales were being
harassed by a pod of 100 common dolphins. It was interesting that the two
groups of whales appeared to meet up for a short period of time. Additionally,
three other pods of common dolphins were sighted–bringing the total number of
dolphins seen for the day to the neighborhood of 2,000–always a fantastic
sight! Twenty harbor seals were viewed at Pirate’s Cove; and two of the
elephant seal pups at elephant seal beach were still nursing. Twenty-eight
species of birds were observed; including the black oystercatcher and brown
boobies. As always, passengers and whalers alike enjoyed their day on the
wonderful Nature Cruise.
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise February 10-Thursday and February, 11 – Friday
February 10, 2015Tourists from Sweden, the midwest and northeast loved the beautiful weather and
conditions for the Nature Cruise on both Thursday and Friday. Thursday’s
passengers enjoyed seeing the hundreds of dolphins, the many marine mammals on
Los Coronados and a sighting of a humpback whale. The passengers on Friday’s
cruise also enjoyed the many dolphins, sea lions, elephant seals and their pups,
and the brown boobies, including getting a good look at a fluffy chick.
Additionally, they enjoyed watching two gray whales as they journeyed south.
Highlighting the afternoon, all on board were treated to a fabulous performance
by a humpback whale, playing in and with a kelp patty, spy-hopping, and tail
slapping–surfacing once extremely close to the bow of the boat, giving everyone
on board a real good look at the playful whale. More dolphins accompanied the
vessel on the return trip to San Diego. One of the passengers exclaimed, “You
would not find a trip like this anywhere in the world!” Museum Whalers Judy and
Diane couldn’t agree more….
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise February 5, Saturday
February 5, 2015If you had been on the Nature Cruise to Los Coronados today, you would have
seen a breaching humpback whale (was it the one from the Pacific Life
commercial?); fin whales, gray whales, hundreds, if not thousands of common
dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins, in addition to elephant
seals and their pups, harbor seals, and sea lions, and too many sea birds to
name–another beautiful day on the water! San Diego Natural History Museum
Whalers Sheri and Heather, along with
all the passengers on board had a fantastic time.
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise January 28, Friday
January 26, 2015Passengers joined San Diego Natural History Museum Whalers Heather and Judy on
Friday, January 28 for another fantastic day on the water. They were treated to
seeing 15 gray whales, one doing a “half breach,” a mom and calf pair, and lots
of common dolphins as well as Pacific white-sided dolphins, putting on a
terrific show for all. Heather, an excellent “birder,” as well as “whaler”
spotted 20 species of birds on the Los Coronados Islands and was very happy with
the experience. They reported all passengers were thrilled with the cruise.
On Sunday, January 30, passengers, accompanied by Whaler Diane, were in for a
bit more of a rocky ride, due to an approaching storm system. Though there were
more whitecaps, passengers still were able to see at least 12 gray whales,
enjoyed seeing the Brown Boobies and chick on “Bird Rock,” and saw lots of sea
stars due to a very low tide. Common dolphins entertained passengers bow-riding
the boat on the return trip to San Diego. Although there were a few raindrops,
and quite a bit of wind, passengers were thrilled with seeing all the wonderful
life, not only on Los Coronados, but on the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This has
been a phenomenal year for seeing lots of gray whales on their journey to the
lagoons of Baja, California.
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise February 3, Thursday
January 26, 2015A cool, crisp morning, and calm seas, greeted passengers on the Bright and
Morning Star as they headed out to Los Coronados Islands. Not too far out of
the harbor, a juvenile gray whale was spotted. This whale kept everyone
guessing as to where it would surface, and wasn’t yet comfortable in its skin,
as it apparently wanted to maintain a low profile. Heading further out, all
enjoyed the antics of a pod of common dolphin who were enjoying their Thursday
morning brunch. Lots of harbor seals lounged on the shore of Pirates’ Cove, on
South Coronado Island, and passengers enjoyed them, black oystercatchers, and
then the elephant seals and their young on the other side of South Island. More
elephant seals and their pups were viewed on “Sunset Beach” on Middle Island.
Brown boobies and a couple chicks were observed on Bird Rock, and then it was
on to North Coronado Island (Dead Man’s Island). Everyone enjoyed seeing all
the sea lions, some of which jumped off the Island, thinking the vessel to be
“Moody’s Lunch Wagon.” Shortly thereafter was the call, “thar she blows,” – and
a total of six fin whales were observed. All passengers were in awe of these
immense whales and their tall blows! The majority of passengers were from
Canada or Minnesota, and few had ever seen a whale – so they were especially
thrilled. Then it was back to San Diego, all on board tired in a good way from
a wonderful day on the water.
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise May 7 & 8, 2011
May 9, 2011Bottlenose dolphins greeted Bright & Morning Star passengers Saturday morning as
they left San Diego Bay….always a good start to a Nature Cruise. A little
farther out, a small group of young common dolphins were observed–and
heard….. then we got a special treat– a really good viewing of three blue
whales and a couple blue whales in the distance. Two of the blue whales showed
their tail flukes when diving. A good-sized mola mola was spotted as we went on
to the Islands. The sea lions, harbor seals and elephant seals on Los Coronados
Islands never fail to please passengers, and many got to watch a baby brown
booby chick being fed by its mom. Great day on the water. Whalers Judy L. and
Ruth and all the passengers on board enjoyed the trip immensely.
A blue whale was observed on Sunday’s cruise in the same area as Saturday‘s blue
whales were seen….though not as cooperative as those seen on Saturday….it is
always fantastic and special to see such a magnificent animal. As we headed
toward Dead Man’s Island….there it was….a breach…a humpback; we slowed
down to a crawl and this energetic whale put on a fantastic show for all of
us….quite a Mothers’ Day treat. So many breaches and fin slaps, it even came
within 20 or 30 feet of the boat hurling its body out of water…..everyone was
wowed! Three young mola mola’s (ocean sunfish) were also observed. The marine
mammals on the islands, as always, were appreciated by all, and once again the
brown booby chick was seen being fed by its mom. The trip back was quite
blustery; but everyone accompanying the crew and Museum Whalers Rosie and Diane
agreed it was a fantastic tour.
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise April 30, 2011
April 30, 2011Windy conditions causing white-capped seas hampered viewing of cetaceans on
today’s cruise. Enthusiastic passengers were happy to see some bottlenose
dolphins as we approached and left Los Coronados. One very large mola mola was
seen by some of the passengers on our trip to the Islands. Everyone enjoyed
seeing the masses of sea lions, as well as several elephant and harbor seals
residing on the Islands. A highlight was a very good viewing of a baby Brown
Booby chick, in addition to nesting brown pelicans and cormorants. The Islands
are still green and many wildflowers are in bloom–always a treat to see.
Passengers appreciated the information provided by Judy P., and Ida, Museum
Whalers on today’s trip.
Submitted by Whaler Diane
Nature Cruise April 23, 2011
April 23, 2011Breezy, white-capping conditions in the morning thwarted attempts to see
dolphins and whales as the Nature Cruise ventured to Los Coronados. The seas
calmed by the time we reached the Islands, and the sea lions, elephant seals,
harbor seals and many nesting birds delighted all the passengers. Shortly after
departing the Islands, Captain Ben announced a blow was seen…..and what a blow
it was—-a magnificent blue whale! What a treat to see this huge baleen whale
so early in the season. Passengers and whalers Judy and Diane got several good
looks at this huge creature….the blue whale thought to be the largest mammal
ever on earth. Saturday‘s cruise turned into another fantastic day on the
water.
Submitted by Whaler Diane