FIsh FEST??

[hpcast]

ANy dates yet?

Thanks

[Damon]

I spoke with Danny about this last week and we're now trying to come up with a date. Probably sometime in September due to the late announcement. Do you have any preference?

[hpcast]

non holiday weekend?

probably fly in with AJ and look to hop a ride on someones boat. Fly home on Mon. Only 2 of us are going to make it this year, hopefully..

[Damon]

Do you think July 31 - August 2nd is too short notice? What do you think Danny?

[Magic Rod]

Not too short notice for me

[ibfishing]

Ok with me.

[Damon]

July 31 - August 1 (Friday and Saturday) it is! We will make an official announcement in a separate post shortly.

[JimDavis]

Can we do it at Catalina Island?
:biggrin:

[MrFishit]

I'm READY!!!

[OffshoreGary]

Oh, yeah, let's do this again!! - last year was beyond awesome!!! - this year, I may have room for 1 guy if anybody wants to come. Time to go!!!

[Damon]

Oh, yeah, let's do this again!! - last year was beyond awesome!!! - this year, I may have room for 1 guy if anybody wants to come. Time to go!!!

Gary,

I think Jason may be looking for a ride. Can you save the spot for him?

[OffshoreGary]

Damon -

I'm not 100% sure that I'll have a spot yet - I lost contact with the 3rd member of the team (Roy) a few months ago - but his wife called us just this weekend. If Roy's out, I'll contact Jason - I should know pretty soon. Looks like things are heating up down there - some paddy YT's and the first albie & bluefin...

[MrFishit]

Damon...Danny... are we doing this on July 31 - Aug 2 at the Dana in SD again? Wanted to be sure so I can give some notice for vacation at my job.

Was at Catalina this past weekend and some guys said they caught Bluefin at the butterfly...but no albies or YF yet.

I"ll have a spot or 2 open on my rig if anyone needs a ride.

[Damon]

Damon...Danny... are we doing this on July 31 - Aug 2 at the Dana in SD again?

Yes, we're on for those dates and location!

Danny is currently designing the graphics for this year's Fish Fest, which will be used to officially announce the event in a separate post. We will also use the design for the T-shirts.

Stay tuned!

[warfdog]

Count me in. I missed this last year but had a blast last time I was down there.

[Kurt]

I stuck the thread and will leave it so until the Fest is underway. There's usually not much activity in this forum but at least it'll stay at the top for the duration.

[warfdog]

I wonder how far out you have to go for yellow-fin tuna? This was a good deal south of San Diego, off Cabo San Lucas.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/11/bn11bigtuna092521/?sports/outdoors&zIndex=114836


World-record yellowfin may be on the hook
By Ed Zieralski, Union-Tribune Staff Writer

9:25 a.m. June 11, 2009
Angler Dennis Williams of Carlsbad (left) and captain Randy Toussaint with a yellowfin tuna caught last year that was expected to qualify for a record. - Photo courtesy of Glenn Evans

A cell phone photograph shows the contending yellowfin tuna caught by Mike Ashford.

SAN DIEGO — It looks as though the Point Loma-based sportfishing fleet has saved the biggest for last: Capt. Andy Cates on the Red Rooster III reported Thursday that one of his anglers caught a possible world-record yellowfin.

Cates said angler Mike Ashford of Coarse Gold (near Fresno) boated the big yellowfin Wednesday and was able to reel it to the boat without much difficulty because the fishing line wrapped around its tail during the fight. He estimated it weighs 380 pounds.

Jason Schratwieser, conservation director in charge of records at the International Game Fish Association, said the tail-wrapping is not an issue when it comes to determining if the fish was ethically caught and eligible for world-record status.

The fish was caught near Clarion Island, which is south of Cabo San Lucas in Mexican waters. Cates said another angler caught a fish in a similar manner the previous day.

“As the big 324-pounder yesterday this beast was tail wrapped as well,” Cates wrote on the boat's Web site. “Sure helps things out. What a great way to finish an epic trip. Most of the other fish were 120 to 180 pounds, very nice grade.”

Ashford's tuna will have to weigh about 383 pounds to be considered for line-class world record status.

The current mark is a 376-pound, 6-ounce yellowfin caught by Kenneth Yokoe on Jan. 5, 1996, at Clarion Island.

But Dennis Williams of Carlsbad caught a 381-pound, 1-ounce yellowfin last year aboard the Royal Star. Schratwieser said that catch record is pending. Officials are waiting for a sample of the fishing line used to catch the fish to test it.

To beat that fish, Ashford's tuna will have to be about 383 pounds.

But should Williams' catch not qualify, Ashford would then have to beat Yokoe's 376-pound, 6-ouncer – and do so by about 2 pounds.

It has been a record year for the long-range fleet.

Cates' anglers reportedly have three yellowfin over 300 pounds. That will give the fleet 52 yellowfin over 300 for the season.

Cates' last trip, an annual one called “June Heat,” brought the heat for sure, as his anglers caught 20 yellowfin tuna over 200 pounds and three over 300 pounds.

Ed Zieralski: (619) 293-1225;

[Mistress]

My 2nd hand report shows the fish hit the scale at 362#.