The 2019 Outboard Models are now arriving !
VOL . 37 • ISS . 19
Over the past few years , I have really enjoyed getting reacquainted with the many great angling opportunities that are available to Northern California anglers . It doesn ’ t take much to get me excited about a day on the ocean especially during the heat of the summer . So recently I took the opportunity to jump aboard an open load trip with Fish On Charters based in Bodega Bay . Fish On Charters is owned and operated by Captain Les Fernandes . Fernandes offers both salt and freshwater charter fishing trips aboard his two boats , the Samantha Irene and the Devil Fish . The Samantha Irene is moored in Bodega Harbor and is skippered by veteran captain , Jeff Caramella . Caramella specializes in salmon , rockfish and lingcod fishing . During dungeness crab season , Captain Jeff operates crabbing trips and when the rockfish and crab seasons overlap , he offers the very popular rockfish and crab combo trip . At the helm of the Devil Fish , Captain Fernandes splits time between guiding for trout and kokanee on top Nor Cal freshwater fisheries like Whiskeytown and Berryessa with exploring the oceans waters outside of Bodega Bay for salmon , rockfish and crab . Let ’ s Go Fishing I was joined this fine day by my fishing buddy and longtime Fish Sniffer subscriber Ian Rigler of Sacramento . Ian and I met up with Captain Jeff and we quickly got our gear situated aboard the Samantha Irene . At the dock , Captain Les , stopped by to chat , before making his way to meet his party aboard the Devil Fish . Shortly thereafter , the rest of our open load arrived and we were joined by Rob Dillon , his father Jerry and his son Sawyer . Jerry told me that this was a special day as it was the first time that he would get to fish with both his son and grandson . Sawyer is quite the young fisherman , having earned himself the nickname “ Sawyer the Destroyer ” from Captain Jeff for his skill with rod and reel . Once outside the breakwater , Captain Jeff steered the boat northward up the coastline . Our destination was the rocky reefs and shoals near Timber Cove and Fort Ross , our
WHAT ’ S HOT SALTWATER by Mark Fong
SALTWATER
targets were the plentiful rockfish and lingcod that call this area home . Prior to booking the trip , I spoke to Captain Jeff and told him that I was interested in targeting rockfish and lingcod in shallow water . He told me to bring my freshwater bass gear and we would get after it . I was surprised and intrigued to say the least when he told to bring a finesse style spinning rod . Following a bumpy ride in the mixed swell we reached the fishing grounds where Captain Jeff skillfully set up the drift . Upon seeing large schools of rockfish suspended just off the bottom , he suggested we start off with shrimp flies tipped with squid or swimbaits . I opted for the latter and found the fish reluctant to bite . It did not take long for the shrimp fly guys to get into the fish . Nine-year-old Sawyer was the first to hook up . Dad Rob and Grandfather Jerry quickly followed suit and a constant stream of rockfish began to come over the rail . Ian switched over from his swimbait and soon he was in on the action too . Despite my persistence or should I say stubbornness , I could not buy a bite on my 5 ” swimbait and I finally asked Captain Jeff for a shrimp fly rig . Drop after drop with the squid tipped flies kept the bite going strong . Feeding Frenzy “ Schooling rockfish on top ”, hollered Captain Jeff . “ Grab your spinning rod and rig up a light spoon or small swimbait .” I quickly tied on a white 1oz . Blade Runner Tackle Spoon onto my finesse freshwater bass setup ( 7 ’ 6 ” Cousins Tackle Spinning Rod matched to a 2500 size reel spooled with 15lb FINS 40G chartreuse braid tied to a 15lb Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon leader ). I made a short pitch cast and let the spoon fall on controlled slack . Wham ! A black rockfish slammed my spoon . After a spirited fight , I carefully put the chunky fish in the boat . Just for fun , I mixed it up between the spoon and a small 3.5 ” AA swimbait on a 1 / 2oz head . I had never fished for rockfish like this before and it was a blast . It was very reminiscent of fishing for wolf packs of marauding spotted bass . You can only imagine my excitement as schools of black , blue and olive rockfish provided constant action . Ian and Sawyer had picked up their spinning rods and all the while were also enjoying the fast action too . When the schooling activity
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C slowed , we kept the bite going with the shrimp fly rigs . With the fish on the chomp , as they were , it is easy to lose track of time and before I knew it , Captain Jeff informed us that we were limited out on the rockfish and it was time to change it up and target lingcod with swimbaits and trap rigs . As good as the rockfish bite had been , the lingcod were far from cooperative . In an effort to get us on the lingcod , Captain Jeff made a short move to deeper water . The adjustment paid off and we put several keeper lings in the boat in short order . The Finale Radio chatter throughout the day indicated that the nets were definitely not flying for the salmon boats . Not to be deterred Captain Jeff saved a small window at the end of the day to give the salmon a try . Checking his electronics , he stopped in a promising area and in short order the rods were rigged and in the water . After just a short troll a salmon slammed one of the rods and popped the line free from the down rigger . Ian picked up the rod and the fight was on . During the tense battle , Captain Jeff skillfully maneuver the boat in order to keep pressure on the fish all the while coaching Ian . “ Reel faster ,” instructed Captain Jeff . “ Keep the rod square with the fish . The salmon would surface and then surge away again , only to repeat the process . Finally , I could see the dodger come into view , then the leader and finally the salmon . And then it was over , Captain Jeff skillfully slid the net under the fish and lifted the salmon into the boat . Unfortunately , we had two more missed opportunities before the bite window closed and we headed back to the harbor . With limits of rockfish , several lingcod and an 18 lb . salmon , it was a fun and fulfilling day on the ocean .
Call for information and availability .
( similar to illustration )
3710
( 800 ) 726 – 2848 ( 510 ) 533 – 9290
Aug 31 - Sept 7 , 2018
Bodega Bottomfish & Salmon with The Fish On Charters Team !
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Long time Fish Sniffer reader Ian Rigler was sporting his lucky Fish Sniffer cap when he landed this impressive Sonoma County king while fishing with Captain Jeff Caramella of Fish On Charters .
Photo by MARK FONG , Fish Sniffer Staff .
SUMMER OUTBOARD SALE !
The 2019 Outboard Models are now arriving !
All Remaining 2018 Outboards at
I had a great time fishing with Captain Jeff and I learned a lot by watching him and asking lots of questions . The beauty of the Bodega Coast is breathtaking . As a bonus , we saw several gray whales and we even caught a fleeting of a small great white shark . If you would like to book a trip with Fish On Charters , you can contact Captain Jeff ( 707-245-1157 ) or Captain Les ( 707-490-4067 ). You can also see them on Facebook at https :// www . facebook . com / Bodegafishoncharters
SUMMER BLOWOUT PRICES !!!
1926 – 2018 Your Bay Area Dealer For 92 Years 333 Kennedy Street Oakland , CA 94606 www . outboardmotorshop . com
All Prices INCLUDE freight & prep , plus tax & license only .