Better action today

Better action today was the word from the boat with about 43 tuna tagged for the day, the grade is still good with most of the fish in the 140 to 180 pound range. 2 more cows bring the total to over 30 for the trip. Jeff did mention they lost 7 or 8 fish today that looked like cows. Still good weather as well.

Better action today

Better action today was the word from the boat with about 43 tuna behind tagged, the grade is still good with most of the fish in the 140 to 180 pound range. 2 more cows bring the total to over 30 for the trip. Jeff did mention they lost 7 or 8 fish today that looked like cows. Still good weather as well.

Still catching

We are still catching nice yellowfin tuna out here, a little slower action than the previous days, but still good fishing, we tagged another 3 cows and another 25 fish in that mid 125 to 180 pound range, the wind has come up a bit but still very comfortable on the big Indy. Tomorrow will be our last fishing day and we have a little room left for some fresh fish and will try to top off and head for home.

Very good last day

Jeff called in to report that fishing picked back up on the final day, 6 more cows were landed as well as 30 more good grade 140 to 195 pound yellowfin tuna. The hot ticket for big tuna was a live skipjack fished on the heavy gear for cows, all other methods were working also, heavy jigs in the dark, chunks and sardines all took their share of fish. Thanks for checking in, the Indy gang.

1 opening next trip

We have one spot that just opened up on our next trip departing this Sat 12/8/12. Fishing can't be much better than it is!!!!. Give us a call if you want to get away and catch a big one!

BACK ON LINE .....

Hello everyone, we are back on line, and currently travelling up. To say we had great fishing would be an understatement, as we caught all we needed or could handle for the trip. There were many, many chances at big ones, and as we all know even when everything is going well they seem to gain their freedom from time to time, that's fishing. As far as a cow count, I really don't know for sure, 35 - 40 if all goes well at the scale. The rest of the over all grade of fish is outstanding, 130 to 190 lbs. Every method was working this trip, something for everyone. I must say, everyone had a great time working together, and lots of high 5"s going around the boat constantly. As I am writing this we are plowing our way up the line, as the weather is less than perfect. We will report again soon, thanks for checking in, Jeff and the Indy crew

2 Openings 12/8

Hey Gang, If you and a friend wish to go on this next trip departing on Saturday, we now have 2 spots...the Big fish are here and just waiting for your bait!!! What an awesome Christmas Gift..

ALMOST HOME.....

As we complete the last leg of the long trip home we have had fair weather and good sea conditions for the most part. There were a couple of regular fisherman who usually make this voyage every year that missed it this year, don't worry, there is always next year or sooner. I have to pat everyone on the back for doing a sensational job down in the fishing grounds, including the entire crew. We will arrive at approx. 0500 tomorrow to begin the unloading process, sea ya then, Jeff and the Indy crew

BUSY, BUSY, TURN AROUND.......

WOW, we just returned from our 15 day SavOn Tackle cow extravaganza. The fishing gods were very hospitable to us, as we weighed in 50 cows for the trip, along with all the near misses that almost made the cut and the filler fish 130 to 190 lb tuna. It was a very busy morning. Jackpots for this trip are as follows: 1st place Felix Alejandro was a 250# Yellowfin, 2nd place goes to Colin Wing a 237# Yellowfin, and 3rd place Robert Dosek 234.9# Yellowfin.. I do want to commend everyone for a well done job on the fishing grounds. Lots of personal bests on board here. Many thanks to all who attended the event, and to Charlie Eng for all the swag for the trip. I look forward to fishing with you all again. we are out again on the Indy challenge 12 day big tuna trip , a big prize for the top 10 tuna, please wish us luck, Jeff and the Indy crew

The Independence returns from 15 Day Trip with, get this, 48 Cows!!!!

"All methods were good," said Independence skipper Jeff DeBuys to dock reporter Bill Roecker December 8, "but the majority of the biggest fish came on skipjack baits. They bit at all hours, but afternoons were the best. It was glorious fishing! The three days on, before and after the full moon put out the most fish. I went to the bank (Hurricane Bank) and made a withdrawal."

After his 15-day trip with 25 anglers, DeBuys weighed his catch at the Pt. Loma Sportfishing dock, and discovered even more cows, tuna over 200 pounds, than he'd anticipated: 48, to be exact. It was impossible to track each one as quickly as they were going up and down on the scales, but here's the best record available:

Felix Alejandro, pictured above of Alphretta won first place for the best of his three cows, a 250, 234 and 203 pounds. That big one took a chunk bait on a 1/0 Mustad 7691 hook, he said, tied to 130-pound Momoi line, 130-pound Line One spectra, an Avet 50 reel and a Seeker Black Steel 6463 XXXH rod.

Colin Wing scored second place for a 237-pounder. He couldn't be located at the scales for data. Dave Rocchi of Cypress won third place for his 234.6-pounder, but also had a 212. He's a regular long ranger and got the big one on a chunk and a 5/0 Hayabusa hook. He said he used 130-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon, 130-pound Line One spectra, an Avet 50 reel and a Super Seeker 6463 XXXXH rod custom made by J. Lo (Joe Lominico).

Joseph Solomon of Brooklyn, NY got four cows at 227, 223, 215 and 200 pounds. He fished skipjack on 10/0 Mustad 7691 hooks, with 130-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon, 130-pound Line One spectra, a Penn 50 reel and a Super Seeker 3 X 5 rod.

Bob Buckland of Simi Valley also got four cows, weighing 209, 206, 200 and 200 pounds. Bob fished sardines on 5/0 Hayabusa hooks. He used 130-pound Seaguar Premier fluoro, 130-pound Line One spectra, an Avet 80 three-speed reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXXH rod.

Sal Proetto of Lake Forest also found quadruplets of 217, 214, 201 and 200 pounds. Sam Raiter of Milbrae took a quad: 210, 204, 204 and 201 pounds. Mike Banda bagged a triple: 212, 204 and 200 pounds. Gary Sturney got a 227 and a 203-pound tuna. Bob Dosek of Chino found two at 224 and 209 pounds. They bit on 6/0 Super Mutu hooks, 130-pound Seaguar Premier Fluoro, 130-pound Line One spectra an Accurate ATD 50 reel and a Super Seeker 2 X 4 rod wrapped by Pat Doyle. Dale Lethcoe of LA picked off two at 207 and 213 pounds.

Dan Hoover of Irvine bagged a brace at 206 and 207 pounds. He said they came on chunks and 12/0 Owner Offshore hooks. He fished with 130-pound Soft Steel line, 130-pound Line One spectra, an Avet 50 reel and a Seeker 6463 XXXH rod.

Charlie Eng of SaveOn Tackle took two at 203 and 200 pounds. Dave Ferreia of San Diego nailed a 223-pounder. Jason Hong had one at 216 pounds. Jim Poore of Logan IA pitched a sardine on a 6/0 Mustad Demon hook to find a 216-pounder. He also had a p[air of 200-pounders, and used 130-pound Fluoro, 130-pound spectra, an Avet 50 reel and a Seeker 6460 XXH rod.

Fernando Rocha of Whittier got a 210-pound tuna with a sardine on an 8/0 Eagle Claw hook tied to 130-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon, 130-pound Line One spectra, and Avet 50 reel and a Phenix seven-foot XXXXH rod.

John Watson of Burlinton nabbed a 204-pounder on the kite with a double sardine rig with 6/0 super Mutu hooks on one of the boat's kite rigs.

Fred Lee of Rancho Palos Verdes fought and beat a 204-pound yellowfin after it bit his sardine on a 6/0 ringed Owner Super Mutu hook on 100-pound Blackwater Fluoro, 100-pound Line One spectra, an Accurate ATD 50 reel and a Super Seeker 2 X 4 rod by Armbreaker.

Glen Colby caught a 203-pounder. Nalie Kim of Toronto, Canada caught a 203-pounder. Al Brandenburg of San Clemente got a 202-pounder on a chunk and a 9/0 ringed Super Mutu hook tied to 130-pound Yo-Zuri Fluoro, 130-pound Line One spectra, an Avet 30 W reel and a Calstar 6465 XXH rod.

Congradulation 200# Club Members

WE would like to extend a congradulation out to all
the top 200# Anglers of our 15 day trip..Super job!!
Bob Buckland 209, 200, 200, 200
Sam Raiter 209, 201, 204, 210
Gary Sturney 227 206
Dan Hoover 206, 207
Alan Brandenburg 202,
Charles Eng 202, 200,
Sal Proetto 201, 214, 200, 217
Colin Wing 237
Bud Edwards 200
Fred Lee 204
Mike Banda 212, 204, 200
Fernando Rocha 210
Joseph Solomon 223, 200, 214, 227
Alex Alejandro 250, 234, 203,
Roger Lee 200
Glenn Colby 203, 200
John Watson 204, 200
James Poore 200 216, 200
Jason Hong 216
Nalie Kim 203
Ferreira Dave 224
Robert Dosek224, 209
David Rocchi 234.6, 212
Dale Lethcoe207, 213

ROLLING DOWN....

All systems a go here as we are enjoying beautiful weather while we rig and relax for the up coming week down below. We are just about done with the rigging part, just a few more things to be done. We have high hopes for trip, and report what we encounter as we see it, until then, we should be fishing by wed. 0600. Please wish us luck, Jeff and the Indy crew

Off to a good start !!

Jeff called in tonight to report good fishing on the first day, 65 yellowfin tuna most of which were 80 to 130 lbs. they did land some larger grade fish with a 320 and 270 topping the action. Weather is good and the plan is to do again here tomorrow.

More of the same

Today was similar to yesterday with 75 tuna making it aboard, most of the tuna were again in that 80 to 130 range, there were also about ten fish in the 130 to 180 lb. range. Weather has changed with lots of rain and wind but still plenty fishable. Stay tuned for more reports with another 3 days to go in the lower zone.

Good Living!!!

Good Living was the quote from Capt. Jeff Debuys, excellent weather and even better fishing was the report for Friday the 14th. Most of the yellowfin tuna were in the 80 to 160 lb. range with a couple of handfuls of bigger grade mixed in. Hot angler for the day was Mike Brennan with a 190,195 and 205. With 2 days left to fish the catch is looking great as they are working on the third well. A wahoo or two have mixed in as well but most of the fishing effort has been put into the tuna so far. Thanks for checking in. The Indy team.

Slower pace but!

Jeff called in today to say the fishing had slowed down a bit but they still put together a decent day on yellowfin tuna, again most fish were in the 80 to 160 pound range, big fish for the day was a 250 pound cow. Weather is still fine with a little more breeze today. One more day to fish so wish us luck for a big day, the Indy crew.

BACK ON LINE.....

Well, here we are plowing our way home again. The weather is much like the Bering Sea right now, not nice. On another note we all had a really great time down in the buffer zone, fishing for 80 to 170 lb. tuna and a shot at a big one or two every day. Steady, steady fishing pretty much sums it up for the most part. Sardines and the kite were the hot ticket, with a few on man baits etc... we departed the island yesterday after a busy early morning, everyone has had their fill of fish. There are many personal bests this trip, so we are happy about that. The weather out look is not good at all, so we will have a better estimate on our arrival in a few days. Sea ya then, Jeff and the Indy crew

ALMOST HOME.....

We have had some weather to deal with, but all is well out here. With 2.5 wells of beautiful R S W premium tuna on board, we are very happy with the results of the trip. We should be back to the dock at around 0745 if all goes well. It has been a real pleasure fishing with everyone this trip, really a lot of fun for all. Sea you then, Jeff and the Indy crew

Independence "Shoot Out" Trip with 27 anglers aboard returns loaded with Cows & a super Cow to 312 l

Jeff DeBuys docked Independence at Pt. Loma Sportfishing after the annual Shoot-Out trip with 27 anglers aboard, including John Beuttler, a former United Anglers executive director, and Brandon Hayward, Western Outdoor News saltwater editor. The 12-day trip fished the outside southern zone for a good catch of tuna up to 312 pounds. Five were cows, tuna over 200 pounds. "He kicked my behind," said Beuttler, pictured above who won first place for his 312.4-pound tuna. His best before was right at 200 pounds, he said. John is a fisheries consultant these days, and he told dock reporter Bill Roecker that he got his supercow on a sardine and a 6/0 ringed Owner Super Mutu hook on 100-pound P-Line fluorocarbon and 130-pound P-Line spectra. He used an Avet 30 W reel and a Seeker 6460 XH rod; light gear for a fish that size. "It was just after dusk when I got bit," said Beuttler. "I could see my line in the underwater lights on the stern, but not when I got to my spectra. So I put a couple of turns on the reel to see my line again and it loaded up. "I've got to thank Jesus Companioni for assisting me. That fish took me around the boat five times, and Jesus helped me in getting over the cathead (anchor winch)."

Oklahoma crappie angler Lester Eldredge of Okmulgee bagged something a bit bigger than a slab: a 296.6-pound tuna that was long and skinny. "My best fish before was an 80-pound spoonbill (paddlefish)," he said. "This guy dragged me around the boat six times, they told me." Eldredge baited a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu tied to 80-pound Yo-Zuri and 100-pound Power Pro spectra on an Avet 30 W reel and a Seeker 6455 XXXH rod.

Stanley Blush of Oceanside won third place for a 249.6-pounder that scarfed down a flying fish under the kite. He said the flyer was pinned on a 10/0 Mustad 7691 hook connected to 130-pound Yo-Zuri and 130-pound Izorline spectra. He fished with an Avet 50 W reel and a Super Seeker 6463 XXXH rod. "This is my best fish," he said. "It took me around the Indy twice, and made a half-dozen long runs."

Mike Brennan of Martinez bagged a brace of cows at 205 and 209 pounds. The bigger one fought for an hour, he said. He used sardine baits on a 5/0 ringed Super Mutu hook tied to 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon and 130-pound Izorline spectra, and fished with an Okuma 20 reel and a Calstar 760 XXH rod.

Indy is in port until December 26, when the 12-day Baja Fish Gear trip will depart.

Returning home

The weather was not particularly in our favor, very slow coming home so our arrival time was slightly off, but we have to say the fishing was definitely something to write about. After our weigh in the Anglers definitely have some bragging rights. This trip was sponsored by the Independence. Our jackpot winners were as follows: 1st place as a whopper for John Beuttler from Berkley Cal, a 312.4 landing him the top prize of a $1000 gift certificate for 2013..2nd place goes to Lester Eldredge of Okmulgee, Ok. bringing home a 296.8 yellowfin giving him a prize of an Avet Reel. 3rd place goes to Stanly Blush of Oceanside Ca. a 249.6, Another Avet Reel. 4th place, 5th place and 7th place all goes to Mike Brennan of Martinez, Ca.209, 205 & 188 Yellowfin, he walks away with an Avet Reel and 2 Seeker Rods, 6th place goes to Brandon Hayward of Western Outdoornews 190.8, generously donating his prize. 8th place goes to Art Samaniego of San Pedro, Ca 160.2, yellowfin getting an Independence jacket. 9th place goes to Erik Kinoshita of Torrance Ca. 205.2 a $150 Gift Certificate for 2013, and our final prize goes to Todd Wheat of Berkley, Ca. with a 154# yellowfin, giving him a $100 gift Certificate for next year. We want to express out thank you's to everyone that was on this trip with us and hope that you enjoyed yourselves as much as we enjoyed having you.. We would like to take this moment to express our sincere condolences to the Families of Hook Elementary in Newtown Pa. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE.....

After a brief few days to celebrate with family and friends we are back with a 12-day New Years Special, sponsored by Baja Fish Gear. With lots of eager anglers sporting new fishing gear, and their old favorites, we departed at an early hour. We have a great load of bait a bit of weather to run through, and lots of time to rig everyone for the trip we are looking forward to a great trip. From what I can see, there are mountains of give a ways and huge raffle prizes for everyone in the next few days. Please wish us luck, Jeff and the Indy crew

ALMOST THERE......

We will be fishing 24 hrs from now, as I write this report. It has been very breezy, choppy weather, but this time we do not have to fight it. We have been busy rigging and a few tackle seminars to inform everyone has been the program the past few days. We will try to get some sort of report out once we get down here where the signal is spotty at best. Van thanks his family for the chance to go fishing. Wish us luck please, Jeff and the Indy crew

Good fishing

Hello everyone, Today the fishing was good with 40 yellowfin tuna landed for our efforts. 170 being the largest with most fish in the 90 to 130 lb. range. The weather continues to be poor with rain and a pretty stiff breeze, it looks to get better in a few days and hopefully sooner. We want to wish everyone a safe and happy new year.

Good fishing/windy weather

Good fishing on yellowfin tuna again today with 65 fish making it aboard the Indy, most of the fish are in that 90 to 130 pound range with a couple of handfuls in the 130 to 180 pound range. The weather has been very windy with a big swell but very fishable on this big steel boat. The forecast is for improvement in a few days on the weather. We want to wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.