TWO OFFSHORE RUNS BY SPORTFISHING BOAT TINKNOCKER

Oct. 5, 2005, Stan Vath, Tinknocker, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Fishing Trip Report:

Oct. 3, 2005: We met Tony and Carlos, part of the YOLARAY crew, on the Paradise Village Marina dock at Puerto Vallarta at 0400 hrs. and left our dock at 0430 hrs. As Bob Dawson from San Diego and I are the only ones on the boat right now we need extra help so we can fish more. We headed over to Marina Vallarta to pick up 50 Caballitos and were off to the Rock. We arrived at 0900 hrs. and big bait was tough. We only made 4 big baits all day, 3 skipjack and 1 bonito. I caught a 250 pound Black Marlin around 1100 hrs. and Tony released it successfully. We trolled around until 1530 hrs and nothing but a Sailfish that ruined one bait. We tried the kite and helium balloon and no takers. We started slow trolling the kite up wind and also had our last skipjack out and at 1800 hrs. when Bob got a knockdown on the port rigger and let it run a long time before pulling the 12/0 super mutu into place. This fish started off slow but turned into a good fight soon. It charged the boat several times and we had some close calls. Some 20 minutes later we had a couple gaffs in Bobs 226 pound yellowfin tuna, TINKNOCKER’S second cow of the season. Eleven boats fished the rock today and only Danny on the Marla II and Josh caught cows also. We went into Punta Mita anchorage for the night.

Oct. 5, 2005: We headed back out to the Rock at 0500 hrs. Today was supposed to be the best weather of the week but it sucked. We had 15-20 knots of wind a confused 5-8 foot swell. We made 5 Skippy’s right off and started fishing. No other boats showed up until after 0900 hrs. We only had 1 knockdown all day and it did not stick. That’s fishing. Danny on Marla II said they caught a 330 pound yellowfin tuna, taped, and his brother Scot reported a 350 pounder, also taped. Tony and Carlos are self starters and love to work hard and fish hard. We were fortunate to fish with them for 2 days and will again when they get a day off.

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