Fishing Again

Well, here we are after a couple of months of annual maintenance. I must say she (the boat) is in tiptop shape, and looks great, ready for another fantastic year of fishing with all of our wonderful passengers, returning and new. Other than that, we have the same EXCELLENT crew back on board ready for action. Yesterday we departed on our first annual springtime 16-day Rick Ozaki, west coast marketing trip. With a good supply of sardines, and some very eager fishermen we are headed south in search of glory, and good weather. As always Rick Ozaki and all his great sponsors: Avet reels, Yozuri, GrafTec Rods, Raider Jigs, Izorline, Salas jigs, Seaguar Floro, just to name a few have made generous donations for everyone to use for the trip. The weather has begun to subside, and the further south we get the better. We will keep the reports going as long as the satellites will allow us to. Please wish us luck, Jeff and the Indy crew, Paul Medina, Kevin, Doug, Oscar, Matt, Ed, and Michele

WE'RE GETTING READY

So far so good. It has been good traveling weather so far, and we have been extremely busy preparing the boat after the 2 months on the beach. There were some outstanding raffle prizes last night, as some Avet 50's, 30's, HX's, and a bundle of fishing rods made their way to the lucky ones. Other than that we are rigging, and checking gear for the up coming battles we will win in the next week of fishing. Spirits are running high, and everyone is enjoying the ride down. We will try another report tomorrow if all goes well. Thanks for checking in, Jeff and the Indy crew

OFF TO A GOOD START.

Today we found ourselves in the fishing grounds, and had a great day on Wahoo and tuna. Everybody caught fish today, and the 2 standouts were a 190 for Rick Ozaki. And a 215 for Paul Geurts, along with very near limits of Wahoo for the day for all. The weather was windy, but seems to backing off after dark. That's all we know so far, and we will give it another go tomorrow. Sea yaw then, Jeff and the Indy crew

ANOTHER FABULOUS DAY

Things are looking better each day out here, as the sign of big fish, and Wahoo is getting better and better. We had a few chances at big guns, and landed 5 fish over 200 lbs. The lucky ones for today were Jim Chivas 247 lbs. , Les Nishi, Bill Nelson, Jim Issac, all had 220 lb. fish, and Dave Rocchi in with a 205 lb. tuna. We had quite a few fish in the 130 to 190 lb. category. To say the least we are elated with the start. The weather is really good as well. We are hoping for more of the same tomorrow, so please wish us luck, Jeff and the Indy crew

ANOTHER FABULOUS DAY

Things are looking better each day out here, as the sign of big fish, and Wahoo is getting better and better. We had a few chances at big guns, and landed 5 fish over 200 lbs. The lucky ones for today were Jim Chivas 247 lbs. , Les Nishi, Bill Nelson, Jim Issac, all had 220 lb. fish, and Dave Rocchi in with a 205 lb. tuna. We had quite a few fish in the 130 to 190 lb. category. To say the least we are elated with the start. The weather is really good as well. We are hoping for more of the same tomorrow, so please wish us luck, Jeff and the Indy crew

ANOTHER BANNER DAY!

ANOTHER BANNER DAY! Things are going well down here, as today was just as good as the past few days as far as weather and fishing goes. Wahoo and tuna were on the menu again, and we had 3 fish over 200 today, Dave Rocchi in with a 240 lb., Jim Issac 202 lb. Rick Ozaki a 205 lb. as well as all the 90 to 175 lb. fish. Moral is running around as high as one could expect, as everyone is happy as could be. We are just getting started, so we are looking forward to the next 5 days of fishing down here. Thanks for checking in on Jeff, the Indy crew and us

Independence boards 5 Cows on 16 Day Avet Reels/West Coast Marketing Trip

"Things are looking better each day out here," wrote Independence skipper Jeff DeBuys April 15, "as the sign of big fish, and Wahoo is getting better and better. We had a few chances at big 'uns, and landed five fish over 200 pounds. The lucky ones for today were Jim Chivas, 247 pounds, Les Nishi, Bill Nelson, Jim Issac, all had 220-pound fish, and Dave Rocchi, in with a 205-pound tuna. We had quite a few fish in the 130 to 190-pound category. To say the least, we are elated with the start. The weather is really good as well. We are hoping for more of the same tomorrow."

ANOTHER BANNER DAY!

ANOTHER BANNER DAY! Things are going well down here, as today was just as good as the past few days as far as weather and fishing goes. Wahoo and tuna were on the menu again, and we had 3 fish over 200 today, Dave Rocchi in with a 240 lb., Jim Issac 202 lb. Rick Ozaki a 205 lb. as well as all the 90 to 175 lb. fish. Moral is running around as high as one could expect, as everyone is happy as could be. We are just getting started, so we are looking forward to the next 5 days of fishing down here. Thanks for checking in on Jeff, the Indy crew and us

THINGS ARE GOOD.

Another great day out here, as fishing was great for Wahoo, and it could have been better for tuna, but maybe tomorrow. We again got our daily limits on Wahoo, excellent grade I might add, and maybe one around on tuna up to 170 lbs. we are going to keep trying, and tomorrow is another day. The weather is just beautiful out here. That's all we know, so tune in tomorrow for a new report. Good night from the Indy crew

GOOD ACTION TODAY

Today was good action on good grade tuna. The Wahoo pulled a no show, but that didn't break our hearts, as we are wedged with them. Big fish honors went to Dale Lethcoe with a fish right at the 200 mark. The weather is flat calm, and sunny. We are going to keep at it, and hope this continues. Good night from the Indy crew

REGULATION WOOD.

I must say things are rolling right along down here. We are into our 4th and final well, with 2 days of fishing to go, right on schedule. Today was outstanding fishing for 130 to 200 lb. tuna, very busy to say the least. There were a few at the 200 lb. mark, and lots of 150 to 190 's thrown in. the weather is absolutely gorgeous. We hope to keep the pace going for the next few days, if all goes well. Thanks for checking in, the Indy crew

WHAT A SHOW TODAY!

Wow, today was something right out of blue planet, as the ocean was alive with tuna, and Wahoo jumping as far as you could see. It was quite spectacular to say the least. As far as fishing, it too was spectacular. Again the grade is awesome on those 130 to 200 lb. tuna. We had 3 or 4 of those 199 to 220 lb. fish today. Chef Michele got a 220, Jim Chivas in with a 202, and Dennis Saylor in with a 200 lb. fish and it goes down from there. The Wahoo made a brief showing as well. Rick has a message for girt, he has Popsicles. We have enough room for 1 more days fishing, as we are stomping on the hatches to get the lids on. The weather still great. Good night, Jeff and the Indy crew

New trips

Hello everyone, we have made a few changes to our schedule, trip #6 has become two 1.5 day trips and a 2.75 day trip. This has been a great time of the year to fish offshore albacore/bluefin tuna and kelp paddy yellowtail. Check our schedule page for more details.

WHAT A FINISH !!!!

Well, we are done, put a fork in us. Today was again excellent action on 130 to 202 lb. tuna. We had 3 fish 199 to 202 lbs., and it was so busy today I forgot who caught them. Anyway we are full and happy, on our way home with good weather. Ultra banner trip would describe this extravaganza we had down here. One of our crew, Doug even free gaffed a 180 lb.er just before we left for San Diego. We will report again tomorrow, or the day after. Good night from the Indy.

GOOD WEATHER, LOTS OF R& R.

We are gaining altitude steadily, while enjoying flat calm weather. Most are resting, repairing some gear, or sharing stories from this trip, or past trips. We are certainly blessed with not only great fishing, but great weather so far. We will be back to San Diego Friday early, 0500 hrs to begin the unloading process. If all goes well we might have 15 or so cows for the trip, and left a few there for next time. Always a huge thanks to Rick Ozaki, and everyone who participated in this event. Sea ya Friday, Jeff and the Indy crew

JUST A SIDE NOTE.

It is still good traveling weather, just a bit more wind. On another subject, we rolled past Alijos rocks, and the water temp was 67.5 and looks like more warmer water down below the rocks. It really looks good for the May 7 & 8-day trips coming up. Don't be left at the dock! E T A still 0500 Fri. Jeff and the Indy crew

Return of The Indy

The Indy will return on Friday 4/27/2012 at Point Loma Landing at approximately 5am.

The Independence returns from the Avet/West Coast Marketing 16 Day charter with 19 Cows

Independence skipper Jeff DeBuys was stoked with his trip, telling dock reporter Bill Roecker about it on the dock at Pt. Loma Sportfishing April 27, as his 24 anglers pulled tuna and wahoo to their numbered spots after the 16-day experience. Rick Ozaki chartermastered the Avet/West Coast Marketing adventure.

"The weather was just spectacular," remarked DeBuys. "The best times were from noon until dark on most days, but they bit some at night, too. It looked like the fish were feeding on red crab and flying fish, from what we saw in them. There's an awful lot of good water headed up this way," continued the skipper. "We saw a strong uphill current and just flew home on it. We found a one-degree edge about 290 miles down. The warm side was over 65 degrees and there were bluefin there. They looked like 25-pounders."

The group caught some 19 cows, or tuna over 200 pounds. The best one weighed 242 pounds, caught by Jim Chivas of Norwalk. He said the fish fought him for 45 minutes before it was gaffed aboard the Indy. He baited a sardine on a 6/0 Mustad Demon ringed circle hook, and used 130-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon and 130-pound Spectra on a new Avet 80 reel and a Super Seeker 3 X 5 rod.

Dave Rocchi of Cypress won second place for a 239-pounder. He coaxed that one to the port bow after a half-hour tussle. His tuna bit a sardine on a 5/0 ringed Hayabusa hook on 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon and 130-pound Line One spectra. He fished with an Avet HXW reel and a Calstar 665 XXH rod. He also had a 219-pound yellowfin.

Bill Nelson of Fairfield won third place for a 229-pound tuna. His sardine bait was pinned on a 7/0 Mustad Demon hook and 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon, with 130-pound Kanzen spectra backing. He used a Penn 50 reel and a Seeker 6460 XXH rod to subdue the tuna after a fight of an hour and a half.

Les Nishi bagged a 224-pounder. Jim Isaac caught a brace of tuna that weighed 222 and 213 pounds. Paul Geurts had one at 219.6 pounds.

Dennis Saylor of Seal Beach bagged a triple, with his fish weighing in at 207, 203 and 201 pounds. He fished sardines on 4/0 ringed Owner Super Mutu hooks on 100-pound Momoi and 130-pound Line One spectra on an Avet Raptor reel and a Calstar 6465 XH rod. Ev Combs of Palm Springs caught a 205-pounder with a squid under the kite. He said he used 10/0 Mustad 7691 hooks on one of the boat's kite rigs: 130-pound Izorline and 130-pound Izorline spectra, an Avet 80 reel and a Super Seeker 3 X 5 rod.

Chartermaster Rick Ozaki of Raider jigs and GrafTech rods got a brace, at 203 and 204 pounds. He said he baited sardines on 4/0 ringed Super Mutu hooks. He fished with 100-pound Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon and 100-pound Izorline spectra on an Avet HXW reel and a Calstar 770 XH rod.

Richard Berg got one at 201.8 pounds, and Dale Lethcoe snared a 201, as did Dane Barriault. Crewman Doug Brink gaffed his own 205-pound tuna, and chef Michelle, or "Frenchie," as the boys call him, caught a 220-pound yellowfin.

The trip produced limits of tuna and wahoo, said skipper DeBuys. The best skin brought up to the scales was a 66-pound 'gator caught by Jim Mann of Bonita. "He bit on an orange and purple Marauder," said Mann, "and he busted it."

This was the Indy's last trip of the current big fish season. She will move up to 22nd St. Landing for the next several weeks, and is expected to run short trips out to San Clemente Island and other local spots.

Introductory Overnight SFR Charter Aboard the Independence

The Independence is now running introductory overnight trips out of 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro. The Independence just returned from a 16 day trip and you could almost feel the adrenaline still lingering from the previous anglers who called this beautiful vessel their home and fished as far south as Puerto Vallarta for cow tuna. Once a year the Independence runs introductory trips allowing passengers to check out the boat to see what they're in for when they book a long range trip. Our SFR overnight charter aboard the Indy was a blast! Captain Mark Pisano welcomed everyone aboard, gave us an overview of the amenities the Indy offers, and kicked off the safety speech followed by what to expect fishing San Clemente Island. Our sponsored raffle prizes included SFR Shirts, Seaguar Fluorocarbon and Owner Hooks.

We were all well rested and woke up to an incredible breakfast prepared by Ed and Rollo at San Clemente Island. We had an assortment of Rockfish with several nice Sheephead and Lingcod mixed in. Captain Pisano put us on a few nice drifts and we dropped the anchor at several spots that yielded an occasional bass. We all had a memorable experience, we fished hard and really enjoyed our day aboard the Indy. The long range fishing experience is must for every serious angler. The comfort and amenities aboard the Indy are truly amazing. Checkout their website or better yet just call Judy at (619) 226-6006 and get it done. You won't regret it!

That's the word on the Indy,