We're gonna need a bigger boat.

So the trip is officially booked!

The date is Friday, April 11th.

The cost per person is $130.

Good news and bad news is that there have been too many positive responses. Some fantastic news is that my dad is going to fly out for the trip. Can't describe how happy this makes me feel. So with that, we're left with 4 seats. I'll now be going down the list one by one to get definite confirmations on the date and cost and all that jazz. Who knows, maybe I'll swing another trip a week or two later?

Side note, happened to do some reading (or maybe a google targeted ad?) and found out that '07 was one of the worst years on record for commercial salmon. According to one article, the reason was "the chinook failed to show up." I can see how this would have a direct impact on how much salmon was caught. "Thank you Powdered Toast Man!" Also seen some things on the web that report that '08 won't be much better. Maybe as we get closer to the date, I'll have a conversation with Captain Gerry concerning targeting other fish (halibut, ling cod, etc?) to see if it might be more productive than driving all over the ocean looking for salmon.

I don't care though. I've got a fishing trip planned with my dad. Can't get much better than that.

Captain Gerry

Just heard back from Captain Gerry of Reel Sport Fishing. The only date that's booked currently is Saturday 4/19, so we've got our pick. Had a nice conversation regarding the salmon season and weekend vs weekday fishing. He confirmed my suspicions that weekend fishing at the beginning of salmon season brings out all of the weekend warriors from all over the bay area. So my next step will be a mass emailing to get a feeling of whether or not we can get 3-5 people willing to take a day off from work to do some real man-sport fishing.

On a funny side note, got a call from dad. Turns out that my little fishing venture might just be enough to pull him out to the west coast again. It would absolutely make my year if he makes the trip to go fishing. All it takes is the right bait :)

weekday thoughts

I'm thinking that it might be better to do the trip on a weekday. Granted, this means that all involved will have to figure out a day off, and this could cut down on the number of people that are able to go. I just know from experience that weekend ocean waters, especially at the opening of a fishing season, can get a little crowded and over fished. Of course, the experience comes from fishing in FL, but I'm guessing that the same is probably true out here. I guess we'll see what's available and go from there.

On more of a project note, I sent a booking request to the Reel Sport Fishing folks and asked them to give me a call. Their prices are $480 for up to 4 people and then an extra $120 each for up to 2 more.

And just to pass on a precautionary note from a friend, this is a fishing trip, not a trip to Disney Land or to the butchers. So there's always the chance that this could be a $120 boat ride. Of course, my response to this is that my expectation is that I'm gonna take a $120 boat ride and maybe, just maybe I'll catch some fish as well. That's what fishing is all about in my book.

Looking for a boat

I feel like I've gotten enough interest in the fishing trip to actually do something about it and not just talk, which is my standard response to coming up with a fun idea. So, without too much delay, it's off to the butchers to pick up some pork tenderloins. Only to come home with two nice thick halibut fillet pieces. The fish, they call to me from the grave. They tell me to come to the sea to drink their, um, roe? So, with much halibut in happy belly, it's time to start poking around the interweb for a boat for the trip.

I'm thinking of targeting a trip of 4-6 people, so not one of those 50 person head-boats. Sortof a small head-boat operation. If I can get 4-6 definite people and a few alternates, it should be good.

First search turns up "Chris' Fishing Trips". A larger head boat (up to 16), so not an immediate winner. Of course, there's always the captains bios. My first reaction to the photos is utter disbelief that these guys are still around. Then I read that Captain Chris Arcoleo is no longer with us. Bummer. The other guys look like characters from Barney Miller. Maybe they'll be able to recommend another, smaller boat? We'll see.

I'm really hoping to run across someone who can recommend a boat that they or someone they know has gone on out of Santa Cruz. You hear that interweb! Tell me the answer! hehe... maybe I should check yelp.

Update:
Found Reel Sport Fishing out of Santa Cruz. This guy has got fishing reports that go back to February 2003! Crazy. I appreciate the fact that he lists days where they don't get anything. I understand days where you just don't get any fish despite your best efforts and would be suspicious if I didn't see it. Will probably give them a call tomorrow.

Some potential backups:
http://www.santacruzsportfishing.com/
http://www.parkplaceexcursions.com/index.html
http://www.montereybaycharters.com/index.htm