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 How Do I Pick a Long Range Trip?
Tommy Rothery, Captain and Owner of the "Polaris Supreme" out of San Diego, Ca. gives an overview of what long range trips are available to anglers.
I want to try long range fishing but what trip should I pick?
One of the most frequently asked questions I get from people is how do I get started in long range fishing and what kind of trip should I select? There are a variety of length and style of trips to choose from and it can be a little overwhelming. Some simple questions help me determine which type of trip would best fit the individual. So ask yourself; what kind of budget do I have to spend on a trip? What species and size of fish do I want to catch? Am I ready to get hooked on this type of fishing? Because the odds are you will get hooked. I usually run down the various trips available in answering these questions and that's proven to be a good strategy over the years, so here goes.
One to Two Day Trips
 Generally there are four lengths of long range or off shore fishing available out of San Diego. The first is the overnight fleet, which run one, one and-a-half and two day trips. The best value is the day and-a-half trip, because the boat runs all night, you fish the entire next day, and then the boat runs home the following night. On an overnight trip, the boat has to leave the fishing grounds sometime during the day in order to make it back to the dock in time to turn around and leave again that night. So you sometimes loose half a day of fishing time on a one day trip.
 However, any of these trips are an excellent way to get your feet wet and gain experience in how to handle the boat, getting use to moving around the boat while soaking a bait and learning the art of "over and under" or the renowned "Tuna Shuffle." The fleet will run anywhere from 30 to 100 plus miles offshore. You may encounter Albacore, Bluefin, Yellowfin and Bigeye Tuna averaging anywhere from 15 to 40 pounds and on very rare occasions you could hit some Big Eye or Bluefin that exceed 100 pounds, but that is rare for this length trip. Additionally, you may also have a shot at Yellowtail and Dorado on kelp paddies.
These style trips will expose you to offshore fishing. And with off shore fishing, most of the time is spent looking for bird schools, bait balls, trolling and working the paddies. Sometimes it can take hours of just driving around. Today, almost all of Fisherman's Landing overnight boats have side scanning sonar, which allows the skipper to see as much as 600 feet around the boat. These boats also have up and down sonar so if fish are around you will find them. Radio code sportboats are in constant communication with each other, but it's fishing the pelagics, and nothing is for certain. Even if you find the fish they don’t always cooperate, but when it goes off, it's one of the most exciting experiences in the world. It will be like no other fishing you've seen, so always be ready. It’s instant adrenaline, major panic and total chaos!
 The boats in the overnight fleet average between 55 to 75 feet in length and are usually open bunk style boats. Depending on how long a run to where the fish are, you will get anywhere from six to nine hours of fishing in on a typical overnight trip. The boats usually depart the dock at 11:00pm and return between 7:00pm and 9:00pm the next day. During the height of the summer season, when the fish are biting, you can expect the open party boats to be plugged, with anywhere from 30 to 60 passengers. Some of the operations offer limited load trips and you should check with the landings for price and availability. The ballpark cost for overnight trips range from $135 to $165 and slightly more for day and-a-half trip, but to me they're worth it because of the extra fishing time it gives you. There is galley service on all the boats for food and drinks but it is not included in the price of the trip. The captains running these boats are very experienced and work hard to put you on the fish. You may not even see the Captain for hours, but believe me, he's working his butt off up there looking for signs. Tipping isn't mandatory, but the crews on these boats, as well as all the boats in the fleet work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during peak season. Regardless of the fish count they have done everything in their power to make your time on the water enjoyable, so kick them back a few bucks at the end of the trip as a thank you.
Three to Four Day Trips
 These trips concentrate on off shore fishing for pelagic species that include Albacore, Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Big Eye Tuna, Dorado and Yellowtail. Obviously, these trips are longer in duration and cost more per day, but they allow you considerably more fishing time, but more importantly, more range to get to the fish. Sometimes the fish are just outside of the range of the overnight fleet, maybe at 140 to 180 miles from San Diego, so if you want to assure yourself a better shot at getting into the fish, then these trips are good choices.
Three to four day trips are usually run on the premier long range boats in the San Diego Fleet during the summer months. This means you’re on bigger boats (85 feet to 125 feet) with between 28 to 35 anglers, smaller passenger loads. These boats feature stateroom accommodations as opposed to open bunks, which make for a much more comfortable experience. The cost of these trips averages between $215 and $275 per day depending on the boat you select. All the boats in this class feature the latest in fish finding electronics and many have satellite phones on board that are available for a small fee. All these boats have small tackle shops on board and can refill your reels with new line at land based tackle shop prices. There are multiple bathrooms with showers, large galley areas with full entertainment centers and all meals and afternoon snacks are included in the price of the trip. The skippers and crews on these boats are all seasoned veterans and you will find larger crews (five to seven crew members) to assist you during the hot bites.
The style of fishing is the same as the overnight fleet, which means a lot of trolling, searching for bait balls, looking for bird schools and working paddies for exotics. You can anticipate getting a solid day and-a-half of fishing time in on an average three day trip and two and-a-half days of fishing time in on a four day trip. This depends on how close the fish are to San Diego and how far the boat has to run. Most all the boat cruise at around 10 to 11 knots.
Five To Six Day Trips
 These trips are on the same premier long range boats as previously mentioned in the three to four day trips. These trips offer an additional feature that shorter trips can't provide. When you are on trips of this length you'll spend a portion of your time off shore doing the same type of fishing, after the same species previously discussed, but these trips bring island fishing into play. You have the possibility of fishing Guadalupe, San Benito, Cedros and San Martin islands. When fishing Guadalupe Island you have a shot at Yellowfin between 60 to 90 pounds, Bluefin over 100 pounds and fishing yo-yo, dropper loop or fly lined Mackerel for “moss back” Yellowtail in the 30 to 50 pound class.
 At Guadalupe you may also get a glimpse of some of the resident Great White Sharks looking for an easy meal. Cedros and San Benito are also very good for Yellowtail using these same methods. These islands also produce some excellent Black Sea Bass and trophy Calico Bass on the live Mackerel. But remember to revive these fish and release them. If you want the fish for a mount you can take pictures, get measurements and have a fiberglass replica for your wall. We need to protect these slow growing fish so they will be around for years to come.
On these trips the grade of fish you will encounter will be getting bigger in most cases. On this length of trip you have a good shot at big Bluefin Tuna and Big Eye Tuna while fishing offshore. If the weather turns bad it also gives you a place to go to get out of its way and still have excellent fishing. They are a very popular trips for many anglers.
Eight to Ten Day Trips
 Again these trips are on the biggest and best boats that San Diego has to offer. The amenities and comfort level of these fishing vessels is unmatched and now that you will be on a boat for this duration of time comfort is an issue. The cost of these trips changes slightly. Your per day cost drops and ranges from $210 to $230 per day but the overall cost is higher because of the number of days you’re on the water fishing. These trips cover all your food and tackle is again available on board at land based tackle shop prices.
The real draw for many anglers to these trips is the great variety of species you can catch. Wahoo, Dorado, Yellowfin, Bluefin, Big Eye, Yellowtail, Grouper and even Stripped Marlin and Sailfish are all possible, depending on the time of year you book these trips.
 Many of the trips this length are taken in the fall but there a limited number offered in late spring. The spring trips will usually start fishing the famed Alijos Rocks. This time of year you will have a scratchy shot at Wahoo but the main target is Yellowfin Tuna and some of the biggest Yellowtail you will ever see. The Wahoo are hit and miss but there have been some good numbers of twenty to thirty fish, in the thirty to fifty pound class, taken this time of year. The Yellowfin are the more chunky versions with some fish entering the 100 pound range with a good volume of fish around the area. The attraction for many anglers to these spring trips is the large Yellowtail. You may not get big numbers, volume wise, but you will get outstanding quality. There have been a few IGFA records taken from this spot and it's not unusual to see 45 to 70 pound Yellowtail landed this time of year.
 In the fall season many of the skippers will again visit the Alijos Rocks seeking good numbers on quality Yellowfin to start their trip. After a few days skippers will usually move inside to the Ridge. On the way inside they will look for kelp paddies that, if conditions are right, can produce limits of Dorado in less then four hours of fishing. On the inside there are a series of high spots with well known names like the Uncle Sam Bank, 23 Fathom Bank, Thetis Bank, Magdalena Bay and the Potato Bank being the furthest south. These banks can hold large schools of Yellowtail and the Grouper fishing is outstanding. At certain times they are also kicking out triple digit Yellowfin Tuna. Around Thetis and Magdalena Bay is a prime location for some spectacular catch and release Stripped Marlin fishing, which can be really fun from a sport boat. The skippers will also fish up the line heading towards San Diego and can make stops at Hippolito Bay, Asuncion Bay, San Pablo and even hit Cedros and San Benito Island. Offshore fishing is also a possibility on these trips. The species and locations provide for great variety for anglers. If guys want to know what these trips are like I suggest they get one of Michael Fowlkes’ videos that are available and see for themselves. Art Taylor's new video, “Rocks 2 Ridges” is an outstanding video that covers a typical nine day trip and really shows what the fall trips are all about.
14 to 18 Day Trips
 Only a handful of the premier boats out of San Diego provide this length of trip. This length of trip is considered the "Super Bowl of Sportfishing." This is the most intense, concentrated big game fishing anywhere in the world. You can encounter Yellowfin Tuna pushing 400 pounds and it takes three to four days of travel just to get to the fishing grounds, which are the famed Revillagigedo Islands. The Hurricane Bank, Clarion,  Roca Partida, Socorro and San Benedicto islands make up the chain. These trips are usually offered with a fly home option and some will even pick you up and drop you off in Cabo San Lucas, known as fly down/fly home trips. If you have an ounce of sense you will fly home to avoid the three-day ride up hill, into the swell, to get the boat back home to San Diego. This style of fishing is different then any of the above mentioned trips. The tackle is heavier, the lines, leaders and all terminal tackle is bigger and heavier. This is the land of the "Cow" Tuna and two-speed reels filled with Spectra backing are a must. The fishing techniques and methods involve kite fishing, chunkin', fishing the  big live baits, live Sardines, trolling, “throwin'' bombs for Wahoo, yo-yoing heavy jigs at night for Tuna and even slow trolling the skiffs. There are only two species targeted on these trips and they are Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo. It's the fishing experience of a lifetime. You can fish 24 hours a day and once you are at the islands. Sleep becomes secondary. Food and fishing is pretty much the routine with only a few hours in the rack at any one time. It takes a special person to make these trips but they are unforgettable and nothing compares to this type of fishing anywhere in the world. It's definitely worth the effort to make one of these trips. There are a number of great videos that will give you an up close and very real look at these types of trips and I really suggest you look at a couple before you decide. “Deep Color”, shot on my boat the Polaris Supreme, and “Big Boat/Big Fish” are two of my favorites.
Conclusion
These are your options for long range fishing out of San Diego. If you want to get started and yet don't want to invest a ton of money in equipment until you're sure its something you will enjoy, then try an overnight trip and work your way up. If you want to experience the comforts of the bigger more comfortable boats then I suggest a three day trip. But all of this will be determined by how much you want to spend on a trip.
No one starts out with all the tackle needed for this type of fishing. Build your arsenal up over the years. Borrow or rent the equipment you can't afford for any of these trips and realize that every trip is a learning experience. Learn at least one new knot and a new technique every trip and you will be amazed how fast you’ll learn this game.
All of the operators benefit by new anglers getting hooked on long range fishing, so we do everything in our power to make your experience as fun and as successful as possible. All the crew members are there to help and coach you so you'll fit in with the rest of the anglers right away. There is one thing for sure and that is you will never know if you will like this type of fishing unless you book a trip. Try it, but be forewarned, once you experience the adrenaline rush of a school of Tuna crashing the boat, the panic to get your bait in the water and the feel of a drag screaming run of a big Tuna you'll be hooked for life!
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