Fishing at iBeck.com

July 14, 2002 - The Champ (RIP) - Point Loma

Bill Batchelor, Jake Laws, Greg George, and I took a two day boat (my first) and it was unbelievable. I came back with 11 albacore and lost about 5 more. But, Bill, had the trip of a lifetime catching 19 fish the first day and 24 in all.

July 29, 2001 - The Chief - Point Loma

Mark Happel and I scored with two spots on a corporate charter of the Chief. The Chief holds about 26, but there was a limited load of 20 since it was chartered by ISIS where by Mark's wife, Kim, works.

This was an awesome trip. We hit a great bite of 15 to 30 pound albacore around 6:30am. By 7:30am, Mark and I each had 4 fish in the boat. The pressure was off for the rest of the trip.

I wound up catching 6 - 2 on sardines, 2 on anchovies, and 2 by trolling my Mexican Flag feather. Mark is a stud - he caught 8 on live bait using his coffee grinding spinner that he got as a college graduation present 18 years ago

The boat, the crew, the weather and the cigars were all awesome.

When I got back, my neighbor, Dave Blecki, smoked about 6 pounds with alder chips and the results were killer.

April 15, 2001 - Acapulco

When we were on vacation in Acapulco, we chartered a 25 foot boat for my family (Ana, Justin and I) and my sister-in-law's family (Nene, Miguel, Renee and Mario Croce). We were trolling with a couple of decrepit Penn Senators for Tuna. I caught one small 5 pound black tuna which we ate as sushi.

Things were looking grim. Ana and Justin had been hurling (er..., chumming) over the side and were fast asleep. Finally, after 4 hours, we cruised up to a kelp paddy surrounded by sea gulls. In the next hour, we caught 26 dorado. They were small, 5 - 10 pound, but they were perfect for Justin (7) and Mario (12). Miguel and I would hook 'em and the boys would reel them in.

Justin awoke from his stupor to screaming as we pulled in the first one. Next thing he knew, he was cranking in his first salt water fish. When it was over, he and Mario were exhausted and covered with blood, slime, and scales. What a great fishing experience. A whole bunch of waiting rewarded by a frenzy of fishing.

September 20, 2000 - The Champ - Point Loma

Mark Happel, Bill Batchelor and I went out on the Champ. The Champ is typically a long range boat (they've got staterooms!), but they were doing an overniter so we all signed up.

This was a good trip. We hit two good bites of 10 to 20 pound yellowfin tuna (or Ahi). I caught 3 yellows and 2 skipjack (can't eat 'em, but fun to catch). I caught the first fish of the trip on the troll.

As usual Mark kicked our butts, but Bill and I had a great time. There are very few things better than being out on the water with great freinds.

Ahi is my favorite tuna. I BBQ'd some fresh steaks the next day. My neighbor, Dave Blecki, marinated some overnite using this recipe and it was to die for.