Swivelhead

Don't think he's much of a salesman .....

Well done. Dream buck.

Albacore used to be the mainstay out of San Diego, no more. Albacore seem to bypass SoCal and go to Oregon/Washington. Lot of fun, pull hard. What was the average size of your catch?

We went prospecting on our 2nd day into Mexican water to no avail. Turned around and headed up to where the bulk of the fleet was. Things change, being prepared with passports gives you options. You will be fishing a new moon, should be good. 20 - 30# Fluoro and #1 - #2 hooks was perfect for our trip. I used Owner flyliners. Consider bringing some beefy gear as the captain would call out large marks deep under the boat, especially when we had the bluefin bite going. Nobody on our trip was prepared for that type of bite. I'd recommend bringing some squid jigs, would have been interesting to drop a live squid 300' down at night for a long soak while the filet crew was working.

The scenarios that have been brought up in previous posts do not concern me. I have already used my copious amount of lope points to get a good friend drawn for a tag. He went hunting, I donated mine to a worthy organization and feel really good about doing so. When I do finally pull my permit, come heck or high water, I'm going hunting. Got a ton of deer points (19), when I finally draw 13B and am part of the max point pool, I will likely exercise PG and donate that tag to a worthy organization. I'll hunt the following year. Providing a wounded vet with an opportunity for a hunt of a lifetime is a good thing.

BigLakeJake answered perfectly.

We paid $7 for smaller fish and $10 for the 40-50# fish. I've been told the crew splits the filet & galley tab also tips. Hope this is true, when I get good service I spend accordingly.

My bad, you are correct.

Picked up two inexpensive Shimano BG 4500 X 701MH combos for my son in laws that will be going on the 2.5 day Excalibur this weekend. Loaded them with 50# braid and will be using fluoro leaders of appropriate weight as necessary. Hope the drags will hold up. Got all different weights of fluoro leader material and plenty of small hooks. My son in laws have no experience with level winds and did not do well with them during practice. The ability to gently toss a lively bait 50' or more is often a deal breaker. I really want these guys to experience a wide open bite.

The only problem I see with the patch is they will fall off due to high humidity, sweat, etc. A bandaid or some type of tape to keep them on is prudent.

I can afford the charter, not so sure about the filet bill ......

I agree fully. Fortunately, I rarely suffer from motion sickness. I have taken dramamine and it truly makes me feel bad. The patch is effetive and a non issue.

This group will target whatever is biting. There are some serious fisherman on the trip but most don't have the gear for larger specimens. We won't be targeting big fish. Personally, I think it wise to go all in on the big BFT. Having an opportunity at the giants without going long range is a worthwhile endeavor. The downside to such a trip is the skunk factor. These guys just want to catch fish (which is cool too).

Excalibur, 1st time on that particular boat. It's a private charter, I know most of the guys who go, we've done it for many years. The only time we don't charter is in a down construction market. I am in the process of dusting off my gear.

Good to hear. Going on a 2.5 day on the 23rd. Hope the bite holds.

Who would be guiding? Accomodations, etc.?

IMO, Mr. Gallo is spending wisely.

LOL

Ummmm. Cuz they have had a whole year to get it done starting on the 16th of last year .....

The auction is for an opportunity. As it turns out, due to outfitter/guide involvment it basically selling wildlife to the highest bidder. Although I am not 100% sure, I believe aspiring outfitters often offer services for minimal or no cost so as to have their watermark on the grip & grin photos that invariably flood the interweb. I'm OK with it but it's not for me.

I agree, if I had the money I'd spend it on the very best opportunities worldwide providing the hunts are fair chase. Don't have an issue with auction/raffle tags as currently available in AZ. It's up the the tag holder to determine how he wants to use his/her tag. I was at the deer association banquet earlier this year, the muley tag went for 255K and the whitetail tag went for 37.5K IIRC. That's a lot of money for projects. I'm OK with it providing the number available auction/raffles tags does not increase for any of the species currently involved.

Don't understand why auction/raffle tag hunters seem to consistently take antlered animals in velvet. I understand strip archers would have a chance at the best deer prior to velvet stripping but the bulls are usually stripped by the 1st week of August. Why not wait?

1968, a man named Woody Spires took me an my brothers down to a ranch just north of Hannegan Meadow to meet Clell Lee. He had a ton of hounds. Lee brothers were legendary hunters known to all in the area. Spent a couple hours listening to stories told by Clell. It was amazing. I was about 12 years old at the time. Saw Clell at the Alpine/Luna rodeos every year until his health failed. Always made a point to say hello and ask about his dogs. Doubt he recognized me but he was alway cordial.

The roads you mention are rough. If it rains/snows as mentioned above, lots of clay = slippery. Good on you for mentoring a new hunter.

Welcome to the site. I don't have any place to send you but I would advise thick & nasty (steep too) is usually where late season bulls hang out.