San Diego Trip Tips

[CouesPursuit]

I'm taking a 1.5 day out of H&M Landing in late June and this will be my first time offshore out of San Diego. I was wondering about a few things, and would welcome any other tips as well.

 

Gear - I will be renting a rod, but do I bring my own tackle ahead of time or is the recommended tackle available on the boat for purchase? Is anything other than bait supplied? Any must haves? Do I have any business bringing a 8' swimbait rod for casting surface baits?

 

Food/Drinks - Obviously you can't bring a cooler, but how frowned upon is bringing a sandwich in your bag or a couple healthy snacks?

 

Fish Cleaning and Tips - Is there an additional charge for fish cleaning or is it paid with a tip? Most of us will tip as served, but for a couple of our guys on a budget, what is a suitable minimum for tipping after a 1.5 day with cleaning? $30-50?

 

I assume having a couple empty coolers in the vehicle for taking fish home is suitable. Any other tips there?

 

Thanks for any insight.

[trphyhntr]

if it was me id ask what i needed for gear at the landing as far as hooks, weights, and flat falls. you could bring the swimbait rod in case you get into small yellows or go for calicos.

[biglakejake]

the 8 footer is great for fishing mission bay and the jetties. pick up some bloodworms or ghost shimp at dana landing. also can be very fun fishing at the bait barge heading out.

 

snacks ok.

 

dinner is usually included on 1.5 day trips. they usually collect a cleaning/food/beer tab in the morning before offloading. i would usually tip half of the jackpot if i won or $5 per crewman.

 

bring some carpet pad, carpet or sleeping bags to wrap the coolers in even if not in the back of a pu.

 

always eat your double cheeseburger and fries IN the galley unless you want free extra seagull mayo.

 

lee

 

ps never use a lethargic or bleeding bait. the hardest bait to catch is the best bait on the line.

[Heat]

They won't have much on the boat, but they will probably give you some stuff with your rental rod. You won't need anything besides some sharp hooks if the bite is good. Don't really worry much about other tackle. I personally like ringed circle hooks. I think it lets the bait swim a bit more free and I think you get a little better hook set in the corner of the fishes mouth.

 

You can bring your own food I suppose but the cook will be working to make tips so let them cook you a burger or two. They are usually pretty good.

 

Bring some cash for tips for the crew, fish cleaning and jackpot if you are interested. 10% of the trip price for tip is decent, if you are a new guy you might want to tip more than that. Chances are they will be fixing lots of tangles for you. Filleting is going to run you 5-10 bucks a fish for the tunas, maybe more. Its been a few years since I've been.

 

Have fun!

[CouesPursuit]

Wow guys all great stuff thank you!

[PRDATR]

You can call the landing and ask what hooks and weights to bring. Keep a second rod ready for when the bite is on. If you get a rental the mates will usually provide you with tackle as needed if you get tangled just cut the hook and retie. It takes too long to untangle lines. Talk to your doc and get some scolamine patches for seasickness. Scopace pills were faster acting and cheaper but they aren't available anymore but a compounding pharmacy can make them. What ship are you going out on? Do you need a passport?

[CouesPursuit]

Thanks PRDATR. Heading out on the Producer, no passport required.

[trphyhntr]

lets roll down to mexico on friday and pull on groupers.

[CouesPursuit]

Passport is currently in renewal, they required?

[trphyhntr]

Passport is currently in renewal, they required?

as far as i know you need one.

[CouesPursuit]

Looks like a summer trip may be in order. I've waited this long because know I'm going to be hooked.

[trphyhntr]

Looks like a summer trip may be in order. I've waited this long because know I'm going to be hooked.

yeah its kinda hard to go back to 2lb largemouth after getting on good deep sea bite.

[SunDevil]

Pass ports are not required to drive to MX. There is no US law that requires US citizens to present a pass port in order to re - enter the US.

 

It might take you longer to get back across by a few minutes and the US official will certainly not be very pleased that you do not have one but a drivers license, social security card, birth certificate all would be fine.

 

Giving them the old passport and informing them that it is in the renewal process would also be just fine.

 

It takes them longer because they can just scan the passport barcode and it pulls up your information.

 

In Trphyhnts' case, it pulls up flashing red due to his no fly status and requires him to be escorted to a back room for a non-lubricated body cavity search

[trphyhntr]

True, cuz the check point just passed rocky point on my way to puerto lobos asked for my passport last time. She was pretty hot though

[biglakejake]

Thanks PRDATR. Heading out on the Producer, no passport required.

Producer memory #1: 1990, little Penn 146 spooled w 15lb ande and a 50 minute fight for a 37lb bft. The skipper Ray Sobiek coached me through the whole dang thing. i cried when he told me shortfin get even tougher after the first half hour. it was true.

 

lee