Independence Sportfishing - San Diego, CA


April 2024

Fish Report & Photo Archive

Phil Friedman Adventures trip #24-3

by Brian Pifer, 4-08-2024


Despite the weather we went for it and covered over 600 miles of water. From inshore to offshore we did not catch a yellowtail or bluefin. Some halibut and rockfish is what we managed for our 5 day Phil Friedman Trip. We are heading In as our eta to the dock will be 0500.


Photos for 4-08-2024

4-08-2024
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4-08-2024

Young's Tackle 5 Day Bluefin Special

by Brian Pifer, 4-09-2024


And we are back out. We departed on a Young's Tackle 5 Day Bluefin Special Limited Load. We have an awesome group of people on board ready to fish. We loaded our bait, did our seminar, and Kevin gave away some awesome raffle gear including rods, reels, and a ton of other good stuff. We are hoping to relocate this bluefin as our weather forecast is a lot smoother than last trip. Wish us luck


Photos for 4-09-2024

4-09-2024
4-09-2024

On The Hunt

by Brian Pifer, 4-10-2024





We've been looking hard over the last 32 hours since we've left, going every direction searching every bank, temp breaks, chlorophyll chart, 50 meter chart, and all the other helpful tools we used over the years to try and locate where we think the bluefin could be. We have not seen a fish yet. With some help of other sport boats leaving tomorrow and this weekend, we are hoping to relocate the fish. Meanwhile we are still looking and trying the best we can.




Young's Tackle Check In

by Brian Pifer, 4-11-2024


As our day ends with no bluefin tuna in our sights, we are going to stop the boat tomorrow morning for some rockfish. Everyone has been in good spirits while we've been looking for the bluefin, but it's time to soak a line.


Beautiful weather, good company, and bitting cod

by Brian Pifer, 4-12-2024


After a few days of driving around looking for the missing tuna, we finally was able to drop a line in the water. We had beautiful weather, good company, and bitting cod. It was a great day.


Photos for 4-12-2024

4-12-2024
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4-12-2024

Island Fishing Today

by Brian Pifer, 4-13-2024


We took another break from the bluefin seen and decided to fish the island. Made some halibut driftsin the early morning hours and it payed off with a nice 25lber Eric caught. We also had a few more legals we were able to put on board and had a few get away. Wanted to thank everyone for coming out with us despite the tough fishing, we hope you all enjoyed yourself.


Turning right around on our J.C. Charter 5 Day Offshore Trip

by Brian Pifer, 4-14-2024


We got in this morning from our Young's Tackle 5 Day and are turning right around on our J.C. Charter 5 Day Offshore Trip. With a great group of friends on the boat we left and loaded up our bait for the trip. Did a brief safety speech and seminar to start things off, with Justin shortly after did his great giveaways. We are heading south where a few boats saw the last sign of the bluefin yesterday and hoping their waiting for us. Wish us luck


Photos for 4-14-2024

4-14-2024

On The Move

by Brian Pifer, 4-16-2024


As we traveled south almost 300 miles from San Diego still no significant sign of bluefin around. Early this morning we saw 2 bluefin on the machines, so we put some lines in the water hoping we could build something, but they never came back around. The weather has been windy and choppy the last few days on our trip but the next few days looks a lot nicer. With better weather coming we hope the bluefin will cooperate soon. All we can do is keep searching and trying until they show themselves again.


4-17-2024

by Brian Pifer, 4-18-2024


As we continue our long hunt for these bluefin, our group has been able to enjoy themselves the best they can by playing LRC, drinking cold beers, watching movies, stairing at the trollers hoping something will hit, and eating Chef Ed's food. We still have plenty of time to find that one school we've been waiting for. We're not giving up!


Open spots on the Independence departing Friday April 19. 2024

by Brian Pifer, 4-18-2024


Good morning, anglers

We still have 9 spots open on trip #24-7, departing Friday, April 19. 2024.. The fish bit last night for one the boats in the fleet. We are hopeful that as we are fishing tonight, they bite for us as well. 

If you would like to book a spot on trip 24-7, departing tomorrow and returning on Monday at 5 am, please give Paulina Paulson a call in the Independence Sportfishing Office @619-226-2006. 

I look forward to hearing from you. 


Finally the driving paid off!

Photo Credit: Brian Pifer
by Brian Pifer, 4-18-2024


The Independence is reporting six bluefin tuna on the deck and still in a drift looking for more.

The fish are in teh 40 to 60 lb class. Here's a couple of photos for you all.

Will keep you informed on how the rest of the day goes.

Wish us luck.


Photos for 4-18-2024

4-18-2024
Photo Credit: Brian Pifer
4-18-2024
Photo Credit: Brian Pifer
4-18-2024
Photo Credit: Brian Pifer
4-18-2024
Photo Credit: Brian Pifer

Day two of 3 on the Independence Sportfishing

by Brian Pifer, 4-20-2024


Had one short window today where we hooked 5 fish and landed 1 40lb fish. Saw some good schools around but getting a bite was hard. We are getting ready to eat dinner and fish all night for these bluefin. With the sign of fish we saw today, we have high hopes for tonight and tomorrow.


Photos for 4-20-2024

4-20-2024