Trip 16 (3 day) August 19-22 Capt Potatohead Memorial Jackpot Winners!
Congratulations to our jackpot winners!
- Matthew Aguirre, Fullerton, CA – 82.2# bluefin (center, grand prize winner of the Potatohead Award)
- Bob Bayus, Azusa, CA – 77.8# bluefin tuna (left)
- Dave Wilson, Pacifica, CA – 76.6# bluefin tuna (right)
Congratulations and a big thank you to all the sponsors and contributions to the donation to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network!
Trip 16 (3 day) Aug 19-22 Capt Potatohead Memorial Mid-day Report
Hello anglers,
We had a few good-size bluefin tuna bite this afternoon and one good-size yellowfin tuna. For part of the day, the method of choice was a flat-fall lure and 50-pound mono. During the other half of the day, we found 50-pound mono, 50-pound fluorocarbon and a 3/0 circle hook were the successful set-ups. We also captured two fish on the kite.
This afternoon’s photo is Bob Bower and his 70-pound bluefin tuna. Bob got to land his on one of the boat’s kite rigs. It sure makes it easier with 80-pound test!
We will take an “E for effort” on this trip with not much action and poor timing. But we had lots of laughs, good times and plenty of raffle prizes. John Englehart won “Sportsperson of the Trip” and receives $680 towards next year’s trip. The runner up Is Jerry Harr. Jerry wins a $100 gift certificate from Aftco tackle.
Thanks to all the sponsors for this trip. Dick would be so pleased. Check the photo album on the website in a few days for all the funny high-jinks on board, and the total amount of funds donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) Dick’s honor.
Team Searcher
Trip 16 (3 day) Aug 21 Mid-day report
Hello anglers, We travelled north to target some tuna. The reports were good from yesterday…and….here’s that saying again: “Ya should have been here yesterday!” There were reports of good yellowfin tuna fishing yesterday, and lo and behold, there hasn’t been a yellowfin tuna caught around here today. ARGH! (Dickie, are you messing with us?!)
We managed to hook and land 4 quality bluefin tuna. These fish are in 60-70 pound range. Three of them were caught on Shimano flat-fall lures, and one was caught on live bait. Crowd pleasers, for sure! But we want the whole crowd to catch one…. so we’re hoping for more.
Crewman Ryan (R2) is pictured with Fred Lewis from Anaheim and his nice bluefin tuna.
Angler Fred Lewis poses with his bluefin tuna. Crewman Ryan (R2) will the assist.
Team Searcher
Afternoon check-in:
As mentioned, strange things happen on this annual trip, all in the name of raising money for Pancreatic Cancer research and education.
Well, here’s photo proof that Capt Art was the lucky winner and has to wear this tutu the rest of the day!
A tutu looks good on Capt Art!
Another $40 was added to the charity fund. He also bought the “Tinkerbell” wings for another $40 for the fund. We understand that Capt Aaron may have to put that one on….
The fish aren’t biting, but we are having fun in memory of Dickie! The weather is great too.
Team Searcher
Trip 16 (3 day) Aug 20 Mid-day report
Hello anglers
We’ve managed to boat just a few yellowtail this morning. There is a sign of fish here, it’s just not biting very well. It’s definitely a “quality, not quantity” morning for us! Here’s Capt Kenny and John Aguirre with a nice yellowtail caught with a live sardine.
More later we hope.
Team Searcher
Trip 16 (3 day) Aug 19 report
Hello anglers:
We departed yesterday on our 6th annual Captain Potatohead Memorial and fundraiser trip. I can’t believe it has been six years since our good friend Dick Uranga has passed from pancreatic cancer. He is definitely here in spirit as we have had a few pranks and laughs already. There are lenty of giveaways in store for everyone and we raffled off Dick’s re-wrapped rod and reel combo. Jay Frey from Santa Fe, New Mexico was the lucky winner and many thanks to Terry Onishi for donating that!
Timing is everything, we left with high hopes for catching some yellowfin tuna today but we have the wrong day. That tuna bit a little bit yesterday, but not today. I guess Dick is playing a trick on us! The fish are still around so maybe in another day or two we will have an opportunity. We’re headed south to try for yellowtail on the coast tomorrow.
Many thanks to all our sponsors of this trip each year, including Izorline!
Capt Art and Team Searcher
Trip 15 (5 day) Aug 14-19, 2016 Ultra-limited load Jackpot Winners!
Congratulations to our jackpot winners!
- Michael Ray, Huntington Beach, CA- 27.8# yellowtail
- Ian Rimando, Santa Clarita, CA – 23.8# yellowtail
- Brett Goldberg, Newbury Park, CA – 23.4# yellowtail
Trip 15 (5 day) Aug 18 Mid-day report
Howdy anglers, With high hopes of finding kelps this morning, we managed to find one with some fish on it. We’re gonna keep working at it until it’s time to head for home. Here is the trophy of the day by Michael Ray with Capt Ryan Stahl at the gaff.
Capt Aaron and the Searcher crew
Trip 15 (5 day) Aug 17 Mid-day report
Howdy anglers, This morning we had some steady action on some yellowfin tuna. The size isn’t great, but there was a school that was hungry and we had fun catching and releasing some tuna. We also watched three striped marlin put on a acrobatic show for us!
We’re working north in hopes of some better-grade fish. The weather is wonderful. The sun has come out and we like that.
Capt Aaron and the Searcher crew
Howdy anglers, The afternoon was a bit slower on the tuna though we did manage to catch a few more. We’re headed up and will finish the trip off looking for kelps or more schools of tuna. The weather is still very nice and we’re happy about that.. Fresh yellowtail for dinner–that’s also a bonus for tonight’s ride up
Capt Aaron and the Searcher crew
Trip 15 (5 day) Aug 16 Mid-day Report (updated)
Howdy anglers: We’ve had a fantastic morning here fishing for yellowtail.! The best methods were yo-yo and flylining a sardine. The weather is superb and we’re hoping for a little more action before we start heading north, looking for some tuna or dorado. Here is a sample of our yellowtail caught by Ray Daniels.
Anglers are eating well, a delicious swordfish dinner last night and we think there’s fresh yellowtail in the forecast!
The weather is beautiful and there will be updates later today and in the coming days. They plan to look around for other species to catch.
Searcher office crew
Howdy anglers: Not much action to report this afternoon after we went offshore looking for tuna. We’re moving up the line to be in a zone that has had some tuna. We’re hoping that they are hungry and plentiful. The weather is still nice and we’re enjoying that. Wish us luck to find those elusive fish. Here is another nice yellow from this morning with deckhand Ryan (R2) and Jack Rauch.