Revised 2005 So. Cal. Shamrock Fish Fest Post

[Damon]

Okay, let's try this again. In this poll, I have included more weekends to select from. Initially, we selected dates more favorable for "close in" Albacore fishing (late June/Early July), but this time period is limited to Albies/YT and the weather/water conditions are usually unfavorable. Therefore, I have included August/September time frames where more exotic species are present and the water/weather conditions more favorable. I excluded the 4th of July weekend as well as the Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge weekend (September 17th I believe) to avoid the heavy crowds. However, I have included Labor Day weekend (September 5th), which may prove to be pretty crowded out in the water as well.

Our plan is to hold the event at the Dana Inn & Marina, located in Mission Bay, San Diego. From my understanding, you can still use the amenities of the hotel if you decide to only rent a boat slip with no hotel room. See the rest of the details for the event in my previous post:

http://www.fishtheclassic.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4244

First, we need additional ideas. If you have any, we would appreciate hearing about them. The reason we are planning the event early on is to reserve 15 boat slips while they are available. If more people express interest, we'll probably have time to reserve additional slips if necessary. We're hoping to get some type of group discount as well.

For all of you moon followers, here are the phases:

New: JUNE 06 (2155)
1st QTR: JUNE 15 (0122)
Full: JUNE 22 (0414)
Last QTR: JUNE 28 (1823)

New: JULY 06 (1202)
1st QTR: JULY 14 (1520)
Full: JULY 21 (1100)
Last QTR: JULY 28 (0319)

New: AUG 05 (0305)
1st QTR: AUG 13 (0238)
Full: AUG 19 (1753)
Last QTR: AUG 26 (1518)

New: SEPT 03 (1845)
1st QTR: SEPT 11 (1137)
Full: SEPT 18 (0201)
Last QTR: SEPT 25 (0641)

Once we decide on a weekend, we'll officially announce the event, reserve the boat slips, and work out the details on deposits (boat slip and hotel room, if desired).

We'll let the above poll run until we can reach a consensus.

[Damon]

Took a trip to the Dana Landing Inn & Marina during lunch and scoped out the area (my first time there). Very nice! The boat ramp is large, there's a mini market and an express West Marine store there, plenty of parking, and is in a very convenient location. I'll shoot some photos of the facilities during my lunch hour Monday and post them.

From the poll above, it seems that August 26th through 28th is the date so far. However, for those who are towing their boat in from out of town, I would like to hear from you if those dates won't work out. Living here locally, most of us are flexible on dates.

Our priority it to secure the boat dock/slips. I'll give this post another week or so before I have our guy secure them.

PLEASE chime in here.....

[gendent]

OK, My only concern is this: how much more driving time is it from Santa Barbara to S.D.? My last trip from Santa Barbara took 21 hrs to reach the soggy shores of Seattle and to plan correctly, take drivers/fishermen, and bribe the usually understanding wifely unit I need to plan well. Also is my 20' Predator with about 90 gallons of fuel up to the task of running with you bigdogs? Man, I'm hoping so!

Jim

[Damon]

OK, My only concern is this: how much more driving time is it from Santa Barbara to S.D.?

About 3.5 hours, as long as you time your trip correctly from SB to SD. I would try to leave SB at around 8 or 9 A.M. to avoid the traffic. John Beck would have a better feel for this since he lives there in SB.

A 20' Shamrock with 90 gallons of gas? Wow, that's Great!! That's more than enough. In fact, you would probably be able to go further than me! No Problemo!

Damon.

[Exodus]

Hey Folks,

I just thought I would mention that it isn't always necessary to travel great distances to get to the fish here in San Diego. We were catching these bad boys as close as 20 miles from port. 8)

http://home.earthlink.net/~jasonswarthout/images/bestdodopic(web).jpg

The Dana Inn is a great place to use for this event. I have stayed there several times and agree that this location will fit the bill very well. The only bummer is that they have raised their rates this year. I called to get pricing for a group event and they told me that due to the fact that it is high season that they could not offer any discounts. Here are the prices quoted to me as of 10/27.

Basic room: $185.00
Pool view: $195.00
Marina view: $215.00

These prices are still reasonable considering the location and time of year. The woman in the sales office suggested to reserve early as this hotel was booked solid for the whole summer this year.

I will continue to research other options that might work out as well. If anybody has any questions about this, feel free to ask them here. I am really looking forward to this event and getting to meet and fish with you all! :D

Jason

[Damon]

If the conditions are right, you'll be catching Yellowfin Tuna as close in as 9 miles. Heck, Dorado, a Marlin, and some Blue Fin Tuna were caught at Rock Piles/Cornado Islands this year, which is around 8 miles or so from the mainland coast. It's all about timing and water conditions.

From reading some of our fish reports, we did travel 50+ miles from San Diego to get into the Tuna a number of times. For me, this was mostly due to timing issues. It seems that the close in bites occurred when I was either out of town, during the days I had to work, or weekends that were dedicated to family time.......

Look at using around 50 gallons for each trip, plus or minus 10 gallons. Much of this depends on your targeted species as well.

[Damon]

To get an idea of the layout, here are some photos of the Dana Inn and Marina along with the boat ramp:

The main entrance to the Dana Hotel:
http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana1.JPG


The new addition:
http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana5.JPG


The new addition looking West, which leads out to the bait barge and harbor entrance:
http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana2.JPG

http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana3.JPG


The new addition looking East where the Marina is located:
http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana4.JPG

The original "less expensive" rooms:
http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana6.JPG


Swimming pool and jacuzzi, which leads out to the boat docks/slips:
http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana7.JPG

http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana8.JPG


The boat docks/slips (in front of the Hotel rooms):
http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana9.JPG

http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana10.JPG

http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana11.JPG

http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana12.JPG


Boat ramp (hotel behind me in the first photo):
http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana13.JPG

http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana14.JPG


View looking straight out from the boat ramp:
http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Dana15.JPG

Shamrock owned by Sunset Marine, which is accross from the Hotel (in background):
http://members.cox.net/dstannard1/Sunset%20Marine%20Shamrock.JPG

[AJ]

Damon,

Thanks for the pics. Looks like a great set up! I've anchored in Mariner's Basin a few times - is the Inn just north under the bridge from the anchorage?

Can you still wakeboard/wakesurf in Mission Bay?

Who's bringing the blender for poolside margaritas? :lol:

[Damon]

is the Inn just north under the bridge from the anchorage?

Ali,

I'm not that familiar with Mission Bay (Jason may be able to answer that question). I do know that you can still wake board and water ski in Mission bay. On the other side of the bridge in the third and forth photos, the sport fishing docks (i.e. Seaforth and Islandia Sportfishing) and the bait barge are around the corner to the left.

If you were to drive over the bridge (from left to right), you'll run into Mission Beach/Roller coaster/Bahia Hotel. Seaworld is just behind the Marina going east. Off of Mission Bay drive, turning right takes you right into Dana Inn and turning left at the same intersection takes you right into Seaforth and Islandia.

Hope this helps.

[Hav'nfun]

Great job Damon. I am committing to the August date. Will have my Shamrock in a slip. Looking forward to meeting all the West coasters and hope a few East Coasters will show up.

Tom

[gendent]

Damon,This is big for me! I am committing to the event for the late August date, the 26th to the 28th, although I'll probably arrive a day or two earlier. Are there any changes to the afore stated plan, and should we individually make our arrangements or make them as a group? I'll also need a little help with suggestions for tackle and accessories. Let'er Buck!

[Damon]

The event is a definite "GO" for August 26 - 28th (the nights of Friday and Saturday, Aug 26th and Aug. 27th). We're still working on securing the boat dock/slips for all of us, so hang loose on that for another week or two. But go ahead and book your room(s) at Dana Hotel.

Tom (Hav'nfun) and his wife stayed at the Dana Hotel last Thursday and Friday for a business trip. He got his room from an online booking agent at a discounted rate (I believe $99 per night). I just got off the phone with him and he said he would post the link when he gets home today.

Once we get through the holidays, I plan to officially announce the event during the first week of January. We're also soliciting Shamrock and the local authorized dealer to participate with us. This will be a lot of fun!! In fact, I will take a day off from work and go with you (either buddy boating or on your ride, it's up to you) on your first day in town, if you like.

For fishing gear (all Seeker rods), I have my trolling rods strung with 50# and 60# mono (you'll need between 2 and 4 trollers, depending on how your boat is set up for trolling), my lighter gear strung with 20# mono (8.5' bait stick) and 25# mono (standard 7' bait rod), and my medium gear strung with 30# mono and 40# mono.

Jason

Please fill him in on the tackle (i.e. hooks, feathers, plugs, etc).

[Hav'nfun]

Damon and I have discussing the SoCal ShamRock and I was curious about the Dana Inn. My wife an I made reservations there through the website www.getawaytoday.com. We received a room for two nights with a marina view for $99 per night. Compared to the regular price of $159.00 per night we were pleased.

The rooms with a pool or marina view are in older buildings. They were nice with a comfortable bed, cable, AC/Heat and a short stroll to the restaurant and bay front walkway. The other two buildings are newer and have bay views but cost more. Slips were quoted at $25-30 per night but I'm interested what deal Damon can work out with the marina manager.

The boat launch is adjacent to the Inn with lots of parking for rigs with trailers. Parking may be a problem in the summer when more people are using the launch ramp. but there is more trailer parking across Sea World drive.

The local Shamrock dealer is East just past the ramp and there was a new 2003 29' Offshore at their dock. It is pictured above. My wife and I went through it and think it is a great boat. I still prefer the 29' WA for a fishing vessel.

The Inn has a free Shuttle to and from Sea World. You can fish and the wife and children can view fish. It is easy to get downtown and visit the old gas light district with its extensive restaurant, bar, and nightclub attractions.

There is a bar and a restaurant at the Inn. Directly across Sea World drive (next to the Hyatt with another excellent restaurant) is sea food diner that has great prices and terrific seafood. Their seafood is fresh. We were eating dinner when a fishing boat docked. A few minutes later the counter gal posted fresh Albacore on the daily special board. According to her, they don't have any frozen seafood. I had clam chowder and a tuna taco. Excellent!

You can rent bikes, kayaks, and other water toys at the marina office but I plan to bring my own bike. There are miles of bike paths. Two notable ones are around Mission Bay and up the boardwalk along the beach.

Just across the bridge going North you reach a built up area with every type of restaurant and even an amusement park with a wooden roller coaster. There is a pier about a 1.4 miles north of the bridge.

At the marina is a West Marine Expess store, a convienence store, Shamrock/Parker dealer and some empty offices for those wishing to relocate their businesses.

It is a 2 to 2-1/2 mile run to the ocean and about half that to the bait barge. All in all, an excellent place to hold our ShamRock. I commend damon for getting this location. I for one am committed to attending. Even my wife may come and she isn't much for boats.

PM me with any specific questions. Tom

[Exodus]

For the most part, fishing here for the pelagic species requires trolling while searching for "kelp paddies". These paddies will hopefully have fish (tuna, yellowtail, dorado, marlin) concentrated in the general area. You may get blind jig strikes while you are trolling, looking for paddies, so be ready! We will be explaining all of the local fishing techniques, for the folks unfamiliar with the area, the day before we depart.

Here are some the basic things you should have for trolling and live bait fishing, aside from the gear that Damon already mentioned. There are several places to buy tackle close by that will have what you will need if you can't find what you want locally.

Cedar Plugs (natural)
Tuna Feathers (black/purple, black/green, mexican flag, zucchini)
Rapala or Yo Zuri deep-diving Plugs (black/purple, blue/silver)
Heavy duty snap swivels
Leader material (#60-#100 depending on your gear)
7/0 double hooks (for trolling)
Sliding "Egg" Sinkers (1/2ounce-2ounce)
Torpedo Sinkers (1ounce-3ounce)
Barrel Swivels

And for fishing live bait (probably 4"-7" Sardines) on the kelps, or breaking fish, you will need a few live-bait hooks, in sizes..... #1 on up to 3/0 or 4/0, ready to go on your bait stick.

Hopefully I didn't forget anything, but these items will cover most situations that you might encounter here.

Don't forget that the inshore fishing here is also great during the summer months. This will be a good alternative for those that don't feel comfortable going offshore, or if the weather is too rough to safely go offshore. During the late summer, the weather is almost never an issue. So if you have a smaller boat, you should be able to safely get out to where the action is.

Jason

[solito]

Damon,Count me in. I will run my boat down from MDR,would need a slip and probably stay three nights at the Hotel.When do you think the final date will be decided?Reservations there are difficult at times .Thank's for your efforts if I can be of any help let me know. Marty "Solito" 26'Mackinaw

[Damon]

The event is a definite "GO" for August 26 - 28th (the nights of Friday and Saturday, Aug 26th and Aug. 27th).

Go ahead and make your reservations at the Dana Hotel, if you plan to get a room. Give me another week or so to figure out the boat dock/slip situation. I'm trying to get all of us on the same dock.

Can't wait to check out those SS manifolds/risers of yours!

Damon.

[solito]

Damon,Haven't heard anything more about the event ?I have room reservations but not for a slip.Do you have some kind of thing going on there for the slips or are we on our own to make arrangements for the slip ?How many boats do you have commited ? Looking forward to spending a week or two down your way at that time.
By the way, how is your remodel job coming ? I had a commercial 20' pilot house Shamrock that I ordered new in 1986 w/ Volvo 130 hp Diesel had it for 5 years.It was named "Solito" Also. The first of three Solitos I have owned.The second one was a 31'Innovator which is still around in MDR. The 20' Shamrock I have lost track of,should be some where in So.Calif. Looking forward to meeting you. Regards,Marty "Solito"

[Damon]

Solito,

Go here: http://www.fishtheclassic.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4882

We have secured dock space in front of the Dana. So since you have already made reservations, I'll pencil you in. It runs around $15 per day.

Stay tuned, I hope to officially announce the event by the end of the week.

Damon.