Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Threshers are Back
I had the opportunity to run the Tail Chaser, a 41 Viking, out of Oceanside the last few weeks in search of the first Thresher flag for the Oceanside Anglers Club as well as the Oceanside Anglers Club Thresher Shark Tournament. On my birthday, April 30th (hint, hint), I was fortunate enough to take the owner, Jim Dragoo and his son Jesse out in search of the first flag for the club. With some good dope from the day before, we headed south out of Oceanside with re-rigged Rapalas and Bait-O-Matics and a tank full of mackerel. With a start time of 8:00am, we weren't exactly the first guys on the water that morning. As I was nearing our starting location on the inside near La Jolla, I got a call on the radio from Jack on the Osprey and he informed me that they were on them pretty good and suggested I pay them a visit on the outside near the north end of the nine mile bank. As luck would have it, once we reached the area it would take no longer than 30 minutes to produce the first hookup. The Bait-O-Matic on the short corner came through and it was game on for Jesse to secure the first flag for the boat. After an hour and fifteen minutes of hard pulling and maneuvering, the decision was made to take the first fish of the season and make the run back to Oceanside to weigh her in and claim the first Thresher flag for the Oceanside Anglers Club. She weighed in at 283 Pounds and to my surprise, word had gotten out on the dock about our catch and there were between 10 and twenty friends and family there to meet us and help with the cleaning and bagging of the fish in record time.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Go Long or Go Home
Southern California has long been recognized as the long range sport fishing capital of the world. Once these pioneers discovered the great fishing along the Baja coastline, it didn’t take long for the affluent to discover these far reaching, fish rich waters. The original concept of the private long range sport fishers was the ability to be completely self-sufficient in these rugged foreign waters. Even to this day there are times when you pull into a port for fuel and end up waiting for a couple of days for a delivery. The following yachts depicted will prove the need for these capabilities and you will soon see that a fuel surcharge is practically nothing when you compare what it takes to do it on your own.
The Legend is no stranger to this style of fishing having started in the late sixties as a 44’ Pacifica and eventually culminating with the current Jones-Goodell. The Legend measures in at 90 feet at the water line with a beam of 25 feet. If these dimensions sound like one of the long range boats in San Diego, it should, as these guys go long and often. When I say long, I am talking about a 3,000 mile range at a 10 knot cruise and you can push upwards of 4,000 miles at an 8 knot cruise. This translates into a non stop run from Sitka, Alaska to San Diego, California or how about running down to Cabo San Lucas and fishing for a month straight without visiting a fuel dock for a quick splash of 6,750 gallons of diesel. I wonder if they get a discount.
In talking with Captain Tommy Neikirk, I quickly came to realize that the Legend, while luxurious enough for cocktail parties and dinner cruises, is designed to find and catch fish anywhere in the world. True to our West Coast roots, the bait capacity appears to rival that of a long range sportfisher while the captain maintains that the bait capacity is only 12 to 14 scoops which translates into 800 or so mackerel. It appears that bait on the Legend is treated like a guest, plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy itself. Going to and from the bow is like a stroll down the sidewalk with the huge width and no obstructions. While on the subject of fishing from the bow, the ability to catch doubles and triples from a yacht this size is somewhat a non issue when you realize the amount of room you have to maneuver with a fish on. Imagine if you will, fishing on one of the long range boats with six people. Room at the rail is definitely not a problem. For those of you that don’t think you can fish marlin on a yacht this size, you need to see Captain Neikirk handle this boat. He has perfected the art of backing down on marlin from a yacht bigger in size than my first apartment.
While still out on the deck I have to mention the fish hold. This thing is more like a walk in freezer on an aircraft carrier. With the ability to split the 5 ton fish hold with freezer space on one side and refrigerated on the other, you can store enough provisions for a couple of months. Walking up to the mezzanine level, it begins to look more like something out of lifestyles of the rich and famous. While elegant, everything is designed very simply and tastefully. The galley is as gourmet as any custom home which include side by side Sub Zero refrigerator/freezer. There are four staterooms plus two crew berths, along with five full heads and one day head. The wheel house was designed so that all of the electronics are below line of sight thereby preserving your night vision by reducing glare. Once the wheel house is buttoned up you wouldn’t know the boat had any electronics. The bridge level is expansive to say the least with a 17 foot Parker for a dinghy and room for another on the port side. There is a bucket even higher which provides for a warm ride on those cold mornings glassing for swordies. A few hundred words can not begin to do justice for a yacht of this magnitude but I assure you, if you see what looks like a near 100 foot yacht spinning in circles with marlin jumping all around, you can bet Captain Tommy is at the helm about to perform another multiple release.
The next yacht on the list is the 65 Elliott “Gambler” which as anyone who knows tournament marlin fishing has surely run up against these guys. The Gambler is a fine example of a cold molded boat designed to catch fish in style from anywhere there are fish to be had. At 65 feet in length with a beam of nearly 19 feet, you won’t have a problem finding a comfortable place at the rail to fish. One thing all of these types of yacht fishers have in common is the ease in which to traverse to the bow. The walk around is easily accessible from the cockpit and Captain Billy Miagawa Jr. has been known to race down from the bridge, through the wheel house out the side door and onto the bow for a perfect cast to a marlin before others can make it to the bow. Granted Captain Billy was probably the one to spot the sleeper first and may have forgotten to say anything, but this gives you an idea of the accessibility when it comes to the pilot house style of yacht.
With a respectable 1,950 gallons of fuel, you are looking at a 1,700 mile range at 10 knots while still being able to top out at 22 knots for those shotgun starts. While 22 knots may sound slow by today’s standards, you have to remember that there is a prime rib slow cooking in the oven while the eggs benedict are being prepared for breakfast. The common theme when it comes to bait tank capacity is not how scoops but more like how many mackerel we can carry for marlin fishing. The Gambler carries in the neighborhood of 700 mackerel which equates to something like 12 scoops of bait, plenty for a trip to Guadalupe Island. There is a day head located on the deck that can literally be hosed out for easy cleaning while keeping the fish scales out of the salon. The fly bridge is home for the inflatable dinghy and can be accessed from either the cockpit or the pilot house. Rigged with a bimini top which can be folded out of the way for a 270 degree unobstructed view of the water. The bucket is complete with engine controls and radios so the captain can run the boat, glass for fish, and stay warm during our cool mornings.
The salon is designed for relaxation, with warm tones and a flat screen television. I can see the gang relaxing after a hard days fishing while watching the game and enjoying that prime rib dinner. The Gambler is said to sleep eight but I after spending many nights running up and down the coast, I can find a spot for at least ten fishermen to sleep comfortably. There are two full heads and one day head located on the deck for convenience and the pilot house is designed so that all of the electronics can be viewed at a glance while still maintaining a safe watch. For those of you that have not experienced the pilot house style of traveling, I can tell you that it is nice to pull a midnight watch in shorts and a tee shirt in any weather, not to mention the fact that the coffee pot is only a few feet away. The next time you are on the water searching for marlin; don’t be surprised when you look on the horizon to see the Gambler backing down on another double.
The Mirage, captained by Andy Horner, is a relative new comer to the yacht fishing fleet. The Little Hoquiam measures in just less than 60 feet with a beam of 18 feet and 5 inches. This boat was designed by Captain Steve Lassley for the pursuit of any fish that swims the west coast. With Mr. Lassley’s knowledge and the trust of a willing owner, the Mirage was built with simplicity in mind. Starting at the bow, the commercial background is evident with the anchor winch. You can easily anchor in the harshest conditions while still able to gain access to the bow, a la west coast style, to fire a bait at a waiting fish. This access is granted due to the flush pulpit and high bow rails for safety. The bow bait tanks are built in to the brow both port and starboard and from the distant eye would be hard to tell without the rods in the rod holders ready for deployment. The walk around, once again, is large enough to control any fish without fear of slipping and falling thanks especially to the recessed cleats.
The cockpit features a large bait tank which is capable of packing in 1,100 mackerel per Captain Andy Horner. The fish hold on this boat is quite roomy at a two ton capacity which can either freeze or refrigerate ships stores as well. The twenty rod holders, including custom drop down holders, should allow every angler a back up should the dreaded backlash rear its ugly head during the heat of battle. There is no swim step on this model which keeps the wildest fish from somehow wrapping the leader and provides the captain the ability to back down as fast as possible. The engine room houses twin 3406E Caterpillars which provides a cruise speed of 16.5 knots. The 1,600 gallon fuel capacity provides a range of 700 miles and should the need arise; you can push her to just under 20 knots to get in before dark. The engine room access door is made of a smoked plexi-glass type material which allows a view into the space for a quick visual without entering.
The Fly bridge features excellent visibility and stores the 13 foot fiberglass skiff with ease. Above the fly bridge is a bucket, complete with controls and electronics to keep the Captain in the gyro’s until the next rest break. Moving into the salon you will find, what has now become the norm, a flat screen television with all of the movie channels. The galley is fit for a gourmet down to the latte machine. The owner’s quarters are to port featuring a king size bed and private head with shower. On the starboard side are two double size bunks and further forward are two more double size bunks with head and shower as well. One again you will find a day head in the cockpit that cleans easily and provides for a clean salon. The Mirage was designed to find a catch fish and I can promise you first hand that is does this very well. Look for the floppy hat on the horizon and you can bet that it’s Captain Andy Horner in the bucket glassing for their next fish.
The common theme found on these yachts is a pilothouse for comfort, plenty of fuel to go the distance, and an owner with a passion for fishing like no other. I would like to thank the captains’ Tommy Neikirk, Billy Miagawa Jr., and Andy Horner for their time and insight and I look forward to seeing these guys on the water because if nothing else, at least I know I’m in the right spot.
The Legend is no stranger to this style of fishing having started in the late sixties as a 44’ Pacifica and eventually culminating with the current Jones-Goodell. The Legend measures in at 90 feet at the water line with a beam of 25 feet. If these dimensions sound like one of the long range boats in San Diego, it should, as these guys go long and often. When I say long, I am talking about a 3,000 mile range at a 10 knot cruise and you can push upwards of 4,000 miles at an 8 knot cruise. This translates into a non stop run from Sitka, Alaska to San Diego, California or how about running down to Cabo San Lucas and fishing for a month straight without visiting a fuel dock for a quick splash of 6,750 gallons of diesel. I wonder if they get a discount.
In talking with Captain Tommy Neikirk, I quickly came to realize that the Legend, while luxurious enough for cocktail parties and dinner cruises, is designed to find and catch fish anywhere in the world. True to our West Coast roots, the bait capacity appears to rival that of a long range sportfisher while the captain maintains that the bait capacity is only 12 to 14 scoops which translates into 800 or so mackerel. It appears that bait on the Legend is treated like a guest, plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy itself. Going to and from the bow is like a stroll down the sidewalk with the huge width and no obstructions. While on the subject of fishing from the bow, the ability to catch doubles and triples from a yacht this size is somewhat a non issue when you realize the amount of room you have to maneuver with a fish on. Imagine if you will, fishing on one of the long range boats with six people. Room at the rail is definitely not a problem. For those of you that don’t think you can fish marlin on a yacht this size, you need to see Captain Neikirk handle this boat. He has perfected the art of backing down on marlin from a yacht bigger in size than my first apartment.
While still out on the deck I have to mention the fish hold. This thing is more like a walk in freezer on an aircraft carrier. With the ability to split the 5 ton fish hold with freezer space on one side and refrigerated on the other, you can store enough provisions for a couple of months. Walking up to the mezzanine level, it begins to look more like something out of lifestyles of the rich and famous. While elegant, everything is designed very simply and tastefully. The galley is as gourmet as any custom home which include side by side Sub Zero refrigerator/freezer. There are four staterooms plus two crew berths, along with five full heads and one day head. The wheel house was designed so that all of the electronics are below line of sight thereby preserving your night vision by reducing glare. Once the wheel house is buttoned up you wouldn’t know the boat had any electronics. The bridge level is expansive to say the least with a 17 foot Parker for a dinghy and room for another on the port side. There is a bucket even higher which provides for a warm ride on those cold mornings glassing for swordies. A few hundred words can not begin to do justice for a yacht of this magnitude but I assure you, if you see what looks like a near 100 foot yacht spinning in circles with marlin jumping all around, you can bet Captain Tommy is at the helm about to perform another multiple release.
The next yacht on the list is the 65 Elliott “Gambler” which as anyone who knows tournament marlin fishing has surely run up against these guys. The Gambler is a fine example of a cold molded boat designed to catch fish in style from anywhere there are fish to be had. At 65 feet in length with a beam of nearly 19 feet, you won’t have a problem finding a comfortable place at the rail to fish. One thing all of these types of yacht fishers have in common is the ease in which to traverse to the bow. The walk around is easily accessible from the cockpit and Captain Billy Miagawa Jr. has been known to race down from the bridge, through the wheel house out the side door and onto the bow for a perfect cast to a marlin before others can make it to the bow. Granted Captain Billy was probably the one to spot the sleeper first and may have forgotten to say anything, but this gives you an idea of the accessibility when it comes to the pilot house style of yacht.
With a respectable 1,950 gallons of fuel, you are looking at a 1,700 mile range at 10 knots while still being able to top out at 22 knots for those shotgun starts. While 22 knots may sound slow by today’s standards, you have to remember that there is a prime rib slow cooking in the oven while the eggs benedict are being prepared for breakfast. The common theme when it comes to bait tank capacity is not how scoops but more like how many mackerel we can carry for marlin fishing. The Gambler carries in the neighborhood of 700 mackerel which equates to something like 12 scoops of bait, plenty for a trip to Guadalupe Island. There is a day head located on the deck that can literally be hosed out for easy cleaning while keeping the fish scales out of the salon. The fly bridge is home for the inflatable dinghy and can be accessed from either the cockpit or the pilot house. Rigged with a bimini top which can be folded out of the way for a 270 degree unobstructed view of the water. The bucket is complete with engine controls and radios so the captain can run the boat, glass for fish, and stay warm during our cool mornings.
The salon is designed for relaxation, with warm tones and a flat screen television. I can see the gang relaxing after a hard days fishing while watching the game and enjoying that prime rib dinner. The Gambler is said to sleep eight but I after spending many nights running up and down the coast, I can find a spot for at least ten fishermen to sleep comfortably. There are two full heads and one day head located on the deck for convenience and the pilot house is designed so that all of the electronics can be viewed at a glance while still maintaining a safe watch. For those of you that have not experienced the pilot house style of traveling, I can tell you that it is nice to pull a midnight watch in shorts and a tee shirt in any weather, not to mention the fact that the coffee pot is only a few feet away. The next time you are on the water searching for marlin; don’t be surprised when you look on the horizon to see the Gambler backing down on another double.
The Mirage, captained by Andy Horner, is a relative new comer to the yacht fishing fleet. The Little Hoquiam measures in just less than 60 feet with a beam of 18 feet and 5 inches. This boat was designed by Captain Steve Lassley for the pursuit of any fish that swims the west coast. With Mr. Lassley’s knowledge and the trust of a willing owner, the Mirage was built with simplicity in mind. Starting at the bow, the commercial background is evident with the anchor winch. You can easily anchor in the harshest conditions while still able to gain access to the bow, a la west coast style, to fire a bait at a waiting fish. This access is granted due to the flush pulpit and high bow rails for safety. The bow bait tanks are built in to the brow both port and starboard and from the distant eye would be hard to tell without the rods in the rod holders ready for deployment. The walk around, once again, is large enough to control any fish without fear of slipping and falling thanks especially to the recessed cleats.
The cockpit features a large bait tank which is capable of packing in 1,100 mackerel per Captain Andy Horner. The fish hold on this boat is quite roomy at a two ton capacity which can either freeze or refrigerate ships stores as well. The twenty rod holders, including custom drop down holders, should allow every angler a back up should the dreaded backlash rear its ugly head during the heat of battle. There is no swim step on this model which keeps the wildest fish from somehow wrapping the leader and provides the captain the ability to back down as fast as possible. The engine room houses twin 3406E Caterpillars which provides a cruise speed of 16.5 knots. The 1,600 gallon fuel capacity provides a range of 700 miles and should the need arise; you can push her to just under 20 knots to get in before dark. The engine room access door is made of a smoked plexi-glass type material which allows a view into the space for a quick visual without entering.
The Fly bridge features excellent visibility and stores the 13 foot fiberglass skiff with ease. Above the fly bridge is a bucket, complete with controls and electronics to keep the Captain in the gyro’s until the next rest break. Moving into the salon you will find, what has now become the norm, a flat screen television with all of the movie channels. The galley is fit for a gourmet down to the latte machine. The owner’s quarters are to port featuring a king size bed and private head with shower. On the starboard side are two double size bunks and further forward are two more double size bunks with head and shower as well. One again you will find a day head in the cockpit that cleans easily and provides for a clean salon. The Mirage was designed to find a catch fish and I can promise you first hand that is does this very well. Look for the floppy hat on the horizon and you can bet that it’s Captain Andy Horner in the bucket glassing for their next fish.
The common theme found on these yachts is a pilothouse for comfort, plenty of fuel to go the distance, and an owner with a passion for fishing like no other. I would like to thank the captains’ Tommy Neikirk, Billy Miagawa Jr., and Andy Horner for their time and insight and I look forward to seeing these guys on the water because if nothing else, at least I know I’m in the right spot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)