COVID: Promising season cut short
San Diego, California. In early to mid-March before the world fully locked-down, Tuna God(z) continued to bless the anglers that took a chance against this Coronavirus pandemic. The Bluefin Tuna were running in good numbers across Southern California and Baja waters. In between storms, rain and cooler weather mixed with cooler waters, according to Fish and Game, Bluefin may hang around for awhile. Most of the fish being brought aboard the boats were upwards of 60-120 pounds and some as big as 180 lbs. It was around March 14-17th or so that the 1.5-and 2-day trips out of San Diego Charters had no problem marking these tuna and allowing them to land on the decks of several boats. According to fish reports the Pacific Queen out of Fisherman’s Landing was one of the prosperous boats. They caught over 47 tuna and 15 of those were 120- 160 lbs bulls. Jose Reyes one of the anglers on-board said “Many of the battles were long and lasted 45 minutes to 2 hours.” The boat stayed idol for awhile and many people lost fish but no one was complaining.
SoCal Boats Make a Big Run At Tuna Before it Shut Down
Most of the fish on the Pacific Queen that day were caught by fly-lined bait on 40-60 pound test, while some, caught with a sinker rig. The Tomahawk also from Fisherman’s Landing reported good numbers as well. Anglers caught 36 big Bluefin on the 2-day trip. Out of the 36 Bluefin gaffed 10 of them were between 150-175 lbs. Other boats going out of H&M Landing, like the Poseidon and Old Glory set course for off-shore waters. They hit several big schools of Bluefin and were able to land quite a few up to 110 lbs. The fish were biting and biting hard. There was no shame over gearing up, the Poseidon only got 13 of 30, but the fun was in the fight. The Old Glory hooked nothing less then 100 lbs. sustained some for up to 3 hour battles, while landing 3 over 132 lbs. They moved several times and hit fish
Every time, but lost more then they landed. Some said that they were under gunned with 40 pound test, but should have had 50-60 pound test. Several days later but still on great schools Yellowfin tuna were landed just south of San Diego on the Odyssey. The boat hit a bite before sun-up and lasted past 10:00 in the morning, the frenzy of football sized
Yellowtail ranging from 12-30 lbs. all across the deck. Some of the fishermen say that this was the best that they have ever seen! They could barely walk there was so many fish on the line. SIZE DOES NOT MATTER when you are catching fish at this rate and abundance! These hot numbers are expected to last through summer? TunaGodz.com thinks that this will be a very good year for fishing if we ever get the restrictions lifted due to the coronavirus and social distancing!
How is the fishing industry being affected by the restrictions placed on it by the quarantine rules of Covid-19. To be completely honest fishing is one of the events and activities that almost can completely abide by the social distancing rule of 6 feet. You can place yourself on a lake easily staying away from other people. The best case scenario is that you own a boat and can easily go out to the ocean or on a lake without disturbing anyone else. Charters are a big problem, but there has been boats in certain areas that have posted messages to their anglers about cutting the capacity numbers in half of how many people are allowed on the boat. As well as the extra sanitizing efforts of the crew to make things as clean as possible. If the charters were to shut down completely for two months it could financially devastate boat owners. In California we are in a very difficult situation more so then other parts of the country and world, trying to do the right thing for the industry and the people in it. While still trying to keep everybody safe and Covid-free. Once the stay at home sanctions are lifted, GO FISHING! Allow TunaGodz.com to put you on the fish!!
Bill Cavanaugh https://www.intrepid.net Hi Gang, Checking in. Hoping that everyone is safe and healthy during these uncertain times. It seems as though all of our efforts in California with social distancing and germ awareness has been very effective in preventing the spread of the corona virus. With that being said, we are ready for our fishing operations to be open for business again very soon. How soon will be up to state of California
