Charter Boat

I have never felt that I had the extra money that I could waste on a charter boat fishing trip. I will admit to being a bit weird about some things, but it has always been thought of as an extravagance by me. Well all my days and nights in Fire camp convinced me to "live it up" for once.

I did go fishing for bottom fish once before with one of my friends fathers that lived on the Coast. Of course I spent most of the time "chumming" over the side of the boat, and we didn't catch much as I remember. Since I was a bit distracted, I managed to get snagged on a lot of the bottom. I did learn a lot on that trip, and the most important thing was to have something for breakfast that will taste good when it comes back up. Sausage and eggs do not fit that criteria.

This time I was prepared. I had a pair of the bracelets that are reputed to prevent air and boat sickness by putting pressure on the wrists. I made double sure by buying some Dramamine tablets as well.

John and I got to the Charter at the appointed time and as always there were a fair amount of characters present. The always present expert was holding forth about gold mining in California. When he began telling us about a 45 pound nugget, John and I retired to the outside where the air was a bit cleaner.

The Captain was a middle aged woman, and the deck hand was a character who went by the name of Bam Bam. It fit him perfectly.

We went out and the seas were as perfect as anyone, even I, could ask for. The Captain knew what she was doing and had spots that held fish. I had stayed on the back of the boat, primarily to keep as much distance from the Californicator as I could. It was a less than perfect spot and I basically had the last shot at any fish that might have been down there. Sixteen people and their lines had bobbed in front of their lips before I ever got a chance. I didn't mind, it was worth it. I had more room and only one guy to tangle with, and he managed on a regular basis. The railing was also straight up and down, so I had an even place to brace against the rocking of the boat.

I took a Dramamine tab at 7 AM, and managed to escape getting sick most of the trip by looking up at the coast line as much as I could. I was burping a lot however and around 12 PM I decided that if thing continued on the course that my stomach seemed to be taking, I was going to get sick. I took another one. I now believe that was a mistake. I did eliminate a bit of bile, but after that I had no more problem.

The trip was supposed to be only 5 hours, but the Captain wasn't going in until everyone had a limit of fish. Since it was only 7 each, that wasn't too bad. We went down about 10 or more miles, hitting a spot, catching a few fish, moving and doing it again, until all 17 people had a limit of fish. Most were Black Bass, Blue Bass. I caught the only Tiger, John caught a Copper, and a few Ling Cod were caught.

Karen was waiting on us at the dock and took a picture of us docking.

John and I carried our fish up to the dock to wait for a guy to fillet them for us.

All in all, I discovered that I had not missed much. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate it about 4. It was actually more work than fun. Most of the fish were about 140 feet or more down, and the only way that you could tell that you had a fish on was that the line was heavier. I once caught two at a time and I did see the line move, but I wasn't sure that I felt anything. The fish was definitely fresh however.

What with the medication and 8 hours of constant movement of the boat, I was hammered. 

That is one that I will never have to repeat again.