2 Day Black Pearl Trip this Sunday from Point Loma?

We have 5 confirmed for this weekend. I got swamped last week and will dedicate the next few days to getting 7 more so we can make the call at week's end. Due to offshore conditions, Captain Craddick plans a 2 day/2 island trip to San Clemente and Santa Catalina Islands with a good shot at white sea bass and yellowtail. The trip cost is $450-$495, all inclusive of bait, meals and no fuel surcharges or surprises. Gear lists and info is provided. If you can make it, contact me directly for details and more info.

We'll be running the Offshore Tuna Trips IN SEASON next year and understand most folks needs for planning. Dates for `09 will be published soon. With the great bite and people still fishing, the Skipper's been OTW most days lately and "will `tend to the scheduling when it slows down".

Back to the Offshore Tuna Trips, the challenges associated with taking 12 anglers to battle giant tuna from one mothership are underscored by the fact that it hasn't happened yet, successfully. You can't chase tuna with a fast boat and you need good conditions to fight one in a kayak. Because of the safety factor, we want to underscore that this is a specialty trip for specialty anglers. Most fish will be landed on 2 speed or Acurate Twin Drag reels with specialized rods you wouldn't fish with on the coast. Just a few hook-ups can spread out over several square miles. What happens when it's 10 or 12 hookups and the weather turns? We think about these things and with the Pearl, I figured out how to overcome them. These offshore trips will be very specialized with a few Zodiacs assisting the anglers. We made some calls that may not be initially popular. In the short run, I'm convinced these requirements, like no livewels/onboard bait tanks, will fast prove to be worthy decisions. Safety gear requirements include flares, a VHF radio (a backup radio is recommended), SPOT locator and a Shark Shield, the latter is available as a gear rental. Additionally, anglers will need to scale up their landing devices from the traditional kayak gaff. We encourage buddy fishing in the best conditions and feel that approach will get more anglers landing more fish overall. I think it's fair to say the Black Pearl is gearing up to offer the greatest kayak fishing experience(s) in the existance of the sport.

We're also looking to start Black Pearl "Couples Trips" to Catalina Island this winter. Avalon's a great place between Labor and Memorial Days...in season, they can have it. Being a couples trip, options include a dozen different island excursions, dives, and accomodations onshore at a hotel, inn or cottage. We'll have a tender at the dock early to bring you back aboard the Pearl Since the Pearl is a passenger fishing boat, all the bunks are singles, no staterooms. Guests are welcome to stay aboard though We'll be (kayak) hooping for our lobster limits nightly. We kinda shaped this idea from private Mediteranian style cruises and tailored it to kayak fishing from a fishing boat instead of barbeques on a schooner. Menues will be planned. There has been a lot of interest in trips for teetotalers so if you have a few couples to get it going, just let me know.

On the fishier side of the season and down the road, what do you think about a combined boat/shore multi-day Black Pearl trip to the Channel Islands where the boat comes back around for you after a few days at this island or that? These are "self guided" trips intended for seasoned kayak anglers who like that sort of thing and will require some trip planning on your part. Feel free to post your thoughts or contact me anytime at 1-707-874-9436.