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Unknown Angler Reports
The CHAMP, fished 2002
Still a little early in the season for Albacore and fish counts had been averaging around the 1.5 -2 per person, but wanting to get away for a day still ranked higher on the priority list than how many fish I might catch.
I arrived at the landing about 7:30 PM. Upon checking in at the counter I found out that the boat was only about half full giving us a Limited Load Trip for an Open Party fare. What a great way to start the trip. The day had been long for those lucky enough to be aboard and they didn't get back to the dock until about 10pm. As l stood in line at the steps wondering if we would depart on time, I started talking to an angler from Nevada who had brought his son out for his first Tuna trip. Remembering my first overnighter for tuna I understood why his son seemed so quiet, the anticipation of the day to come, will I pin my bait the right way, what will it really feel like when the fish bites, and what if I screw up and loose my fish or even worse get tangled and cause someone else to loose theirs.
After what I would call a quick but thorough cleaning and restocking we were loaded up and underway for bait at 11:05. Several scoops of average sized sardines and a few scoops of good sized anchovies placed into the tanks, and we were off.
The accommodations are nice 2, 3, 4, and 5 bunk air conditioned cabins with a sink and vanity. Storage in the cabins is adequate as long as you don't bring your entire wardrobe. The galley and salon are nice, but a little tight when approaching the counter for your food or drink. There is plenty of room to sit and enjoy a game of cards, watch a video, or just sit back and relax. The deck area is great, a lot of room to move around, and plenty of rod holders. The large capacity bait tank has 2 hand wells on both the port and starboard sides, but none aft which made it a little cramped getting a bait quickly after a hook-up on the troll. One thing that really caught my attention were the windows on the aft section of the tank, nice touch to actually be able to see your bait. The refrigerated hold (at least the hatch) got quite a work out. The crew was quick to tag and chill our catch the minute a bite slowed down.
Both of the Captains and the crew were GREAT. Mike took us to where the fish had been the day before and Chris worked the area all day. We metered, circled, and chummed trying to raise a few schools but had only limited success. Most of our fish were caught on the troll, or by the first couple of baits into the water after the hook-up. I and a couple of others used plastics on the slide and had about a 25% success rate. The crew that Chris and Mike had onboard were terrific. Robert, Dave (Q-Ball), Everit, and Greg all worked well together and seemed to be able to anticipate what the other deckhands and more amazingly, what the anglers were about to do or need. At one stop I had a nice one on and as happens every so often there were 3 other lines tangled with me. Robert was there in a flash to get things straightened out. He cleared 2 of the lines but when the other angler saw his line in what appeared to be a wad the size of a softball he just cut it loose to give me a chance (thank you). Rob gaffed my fish and got it on board and as we were pulling my line through the wad after cutting my fish loose he said, "I think there's a fish on this line". Well he was right. We quickly hand wound about three arm lengths of untangled line, cut the wad loose, and then spliced the now clean line onto mine. I got a couple of wraps on to the reel and looked around for the gentlemen who had cut his line for me. He was busy retying a hook when I handed him my rod and told him "it may be my rod, but it's your fish". As karma would have it after a few smiles and couple of good runs he boated his only fish of the trip.
On the way back in we all relaxed and enjoyed some down time. Some slept, some watched movies, and some just sat there. Kelly in the galley was something else. Not only can she handle a rod and a gaff, but a spatula as well. The food was great all day, and something of a surprise to me was that she offered an evening meal as we made our way in - not the case on most overnight boats.
All in all a really good trip. The weather and fish could have been a little more cooperative, but we averaged almost 3 fish per person (better than the landings average for that day). Several Bones (Bonita) were tossed back, and oh yeah, the kid from Nevada on his first trip out fished his Dad 4-0.
I hope you will take a trip and give the Champ a chance. Remember it is You who makes or breaks your trip. The boat is simply the vessel of your opportunity.
The Unknown Angler
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