By Arnie Seko
There was an air of anticipation building up to the Let’s Talk Hookup 3-Day trip on the Royal Star. The fishing reports leading up to our trip was showing a varied mix of fish from dorado, yellowtail, and school sized bluefin all the way up to bluefin over 100 pounds. Being that our trip was a 3-Day trip, we had the opportunity to go south for the mixed bag and still go “trophy hunting” for the big bluefin north towards San Clemente Island. Captain Brian Simms and the crew of the Royal Star had the boat fueled, loaded with bait and helped all 19 passengers aboard for our fishing adventure.
Captain Brian’s plan was to run south to take our shot at the school size tuna, yellowtail and dorado. We headed southwest of the Coronado Islands where the fleet was working a producti
ve area. We did find spots where we got into a “plunker bite”, picking of one and two at a time. Productive methods were flylining and sinker rigs, but the Shimano Coltsniper Jig proved to be very productive. The bite was never “wide open”, but did provide enough action to keep everybody on the boat motivated. Also motivating us were the successes of the “young guns” on our trip. Kellan Wendell from Elko, Nevada, Jake Meairs of San Clemente, and Caleb Rumsey were on the fish all day. We finished the day with some fish in the hold, a few losses and a good feeling we had more opportunities over the next two days. We went back to the inside of the Coronado Islands to ensure we all got a good night sleep on comfortable seas.
Capt. Brian motored us back to the general area where we were fishing on Day 1. We landed usi
ng the same methods as the day prior. Personally, I scored 3 fish, 2 on flylined sardine. and one with the Shimano Torim 20HG and Terez rod I won in the Let’s Talk Hookup Christmas Spetacular on a Coltsniper. Once again, Kellan, Caleb and Jake schooled the rest of us. The whole crew, Blake, Brandon (Monkey), Jake and Ryan worked hard for us all day. You had to be quick to get a picture with your catch, due to the fact the crew spiked, bled, gutted and got your fish in the RSW well so quickly to ensure that the quality of our catch would be the best, another hallmark of the Royal Star crew. One of the day’s highlights was angler Tony Hah who went “low tech” fighting a bluefin with a old school glass rod and a Newell reel. He eventually landed the fish, but not after 3 laps around the boat in about 2 hours. We ended Day 2 with more fish in the hold and another day left to fish.
Capt. Brian moved us to an area away from the majority of the fleet were working. We were finding spots of fish that either would yield a few fish, or would scatter once we set up on them.
Capt. Brian did hear that there was an area north that had bluefin over 100lbs, so after lunch, we made the move to run to that area. We all were excited to have the chance to connect with the fish of a lifetime. We all had sinker rigs for the big fish with the assistance of the crew. Blake set up the kite and flier rigs and we waited in anticipation as we traveled to the spot. Capt. Brian divided all of us anglers into three teams for the kite fish. This would allow everyone to have a chance to pull on a fish and the landed fish would be split equally among the team members, and we all agreed it was fair. On the way to our new spot, we were headed for we found a football field sized boil of large bluefin tuna. We circled around the school and Blake deployed the kite. It didn’t take long the flier to get bit! Blake handed down the rod to the deck and the fight was on. While Team 1 was on the fish, Blake ran out another flier ready as soon as we landed the first fish. Myself and Scott Meairs didn’t get a chance to pull on this fish, our opportunity would have to wait for our next rotation. We landed the first fish and Capt. Brian quickly had us moving as the flier was deployed. It didn’t take long before the second flier was smashed by another big bluefin. Team 2 was on and they had their fish on the deck after all their team members got their turn. Team 3 was next in line and after turning the boat back into the fish, flier #3 was inhaled by another big bluefin and their team had their turn. Their fish took the team on a lap around the boat where it was brought to gaff. Once aboard, we started the rotation with Team 1 again. On the second fish, the team and crew made sure that I was first on the fish. It was an experience feeling the power of these very strong fighting fish. Scott Meairs was up next and he fought the fish until he couldn’t reel it in any longer. The remainder of Team 1 took their turn and we landed the team’s second fish on the deck. The next two fish were landed by Teams 2 and 3. Teams 1 and 2 connected and landed two more of these beasts to push the boat’s total of these fish to 8. All of the young guns got chances to pull on these fish and we had to laugh when they didn’t want to give up their turn to pull on the fish, even though they were gassed. I think they are all hooked on tuna fishing. The amazing thing is we boated the 8 fish in 2 ½ hours! We continued to fish until dark, but we didn’t connect again. It was a outstanding end of a great trip.
The boat, Capt. Brian and the crew were top-notch as usual. The renovation of the downstairs shower was great improvement on the boat. Anglers who are very tall, like my roommate Steve Mote and myself (I’m just wide), really appreciate it. The entire boat is always kept clean and organized. I, as well as all the passengers cannot say enough about the Chefs, Nestor and Jorge. All the meals and snacks were outstanding. The deckhands, Blake, Brandon (aka, Monkey), Ryan, and Jake were always helpful with advice and rigging. Tracy in the office is always helpful answering any questions we had before the trip. Lastly, a huge thank you goes out to Captain Brian Simms. He always made decisions that were in the passenger’s best interest, was there to make sure our experience was the best possible. Royal Star once again shows why they are one of the premier sportfishing operations in the fleet.
All of the passengers had an experience that we will remember for a long time. The giveaways that were supplied by trip sponsors like Gamakatsu Hooks were well received. Everyone got a package of hooks and most used the Nautilus Circle hook to land bluefin tuna. I’m sure Caleb, Jake and Kellan will never forget it as we will never forget them.
To book a trip on the Royal Star visit royalstarsportfishing.com or call Tracy at 619-224-4764.
