It is our desire to make your trip the best one ever. We can help by making you as well informed as possible. Toward that end, we have compiled a list of questions that are often asked.
The crew furnishes you with a set of numbered tags — keep them clipped to your rod belt while fishing. When you catch a fish, hand a tag to the crewman who gaffs it. He staples your tag to the fish, which goes into the refrigerated fish holds immediately so it stays in prime condition.
The pot is $25.00 per person on trips up to 5 days, and $35.00 per person on trips over 5 days, collected at sign-in. No one may enter the jackpot after the boat sails. $5.00 goes to the trolling jackpot; the remainder is divided among the heaviest fish — 50% to first place, 30% to second and 20% to third. If one person has more than one fish in the top three, that person may collect for only one place. In the case of a tie, the tying anglers decide what to do, and all fish in contention are weighed; all decisions are final. All fish are eligible except sharks, rays, black sea bass, marlin, sailfish and fish mutilated by sharks or seals. Trolling fish do not count in the main jackpot — there is a separate $5.00 trolling jackpot that is included when you enter. A winner must fight and land his own fish with no assistance from others except a crew member, who may take the rod only to help clear a tangle or a condition beyond the angler's control. If a rod or reel breaks, the fish may be handlined in by a crewman and still be eligible only if it is at color. In any dispute, the Captain's decision is final.
Yes — check with the crew of the Red Rooster III.
Leaving San Diego for the fishing grounds, the boat stops at the bait receivers for a large supply of live anchovies and/or sardines. You augment this by catching bait — usually Pacific and Spanish mackerel. This caught bait is not the property of the boat but of those who help catch it. We supply the sardines for both chum and small-hook bait, but mackerel is an entirely separate matter. Bait fishing is not an option; it is a requirement for all. Nothing causes hard feelings faster than someone using bait they did not help catch — and besides, it can be a lot of fun, with many nice fish caught while fishing for bait at night.
The simplest and most important method is what we call the “go to the head of the line” system. Most of the time the current runs off one quarter and the stern of the boat, so if you cast out from the opposite side and follow your line as the current carries it, you will end up on the current side of the boat. Each time you retrieve, re-bait and then go to the head of the line to cast out again. By the end of the day you will have fished longer and caught more fish, with fewer tangles, than with any other method.
There are 4 tackle racks above deck level, each 16″ in height, plus 4–8 additional tackle boxes in other areas.
Our package includes 3 setups: 30lb, 50lb, and 100lb. Rods are 3 Calstar rods, and reels include one 1-speed Accurate Boss 500, one 2-speed Accurate 600, and one 2-speed Accurate 800 Valiant reel. Terminal tackle (hooks, jigs, etc.) is not included. The 1st spool of line on all 3 reels is free. Extra fishing line and terminal tackle can be purchased onboard, or you may bring your own. Rental package pricing is determined by trip length.
A 50% deposit confirms your reservation. Cancellations must be in writing and received at least 90 days prior to departure on a 3 to 8 day trip, or 180 days prior on all longer trips. A $250.00 non-refundable booking fee, or 10% of the cost of the trip, applies to all cancellations. There is no cash refund for cancellations of 30 days or less.
The Mexican government now requires that every passenger have an FMM (Mexican Visa) when fishing 12 miles off the coast of Mexico. The fee at this time is $60. Specific passport information must be provided for processing. A passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure is required, so address your documents well in advance.