Galapagos Late pic report

[Squidnation]

This is long but I think you guys may like it.

Well its real real late but I am finally getting around to posting some pics of my unexpected galapagos island adventure back in may.

I got a call from Merijo Attong in a mild panic because Gary Caputi was doing a story on the galapagos island striped marlin fishery for sportfishing mag and his sole angler unexpectedly had to back out. I really didn't think I could swing it because the timing was bad. I asked when and she said you would need to leave in three days. Well I first asked Jen and nico if I could go. They both said yes so I worked on a reasonable ticket with such short notice. I got luck and was off to Guayaquil, Ecuadore three days later.

Quick funny story about the flight - I got on the plane at 0 dark thirty and imediatly fell asleep. The flight was to Miami. I woke up in Miami fresh as a daisy. Got up with the rest of the crowd got my bag and happy as a clam but the rest of the plane was down right bitchy. I made a comment about how pissed everybody was and the dude next to me said that is because we are still in baltimore, our flight got cancelled.

Got a quick change and flew to dallas and then to miami to catch late afternoon plane to quayaquil. Arrived in Guayaquil and was met up with Capt Bradon's wife who set us up at the Hotel Oro Verde. met up with Gary and got a good nights sleep. Woke up the next morning and took acouple of shots of guayaquil from the room.



Next morning I was back at the airport where we met up with mary again to get us on the plane for San Cristobal, Galapagos. But since I did my reservations at the last minute I was told that I was on stand by to San Cristobal and probably would fly to baltra and take a small boat form Santa Cruz to San Cristobal. Oh, well at least I get to see three of the islands right.

As we approached Balta I knew I was in for a treat. This entire place is beautiful and awesome







The Baltra Airport



I got on a bus and went through baltra to catch a little barge across a cool strait over to Santa Cruz. But first we had to get sniffed by the drug dogs. Also spotted my first sea lion. I guess I had no idea how many I would see.











and then i did a 45 minute ride to the otherside of santa cruz to get on another boat for the 70 mile ride to Santa Cruz.

Just a precursor hear. If you set this trip up with plenty of notice you will not have to go through all these headaches but I guess it added to the adventure.







We had a nun on board and I guess the head nun came to bless the boat and see us off. I guess I felt safe now.



As we left the santa cruz harbor she gave us a farewell and I we cleared the harbor I saw the National Geographic ship. Pretty impressive.





three hours later we were at san cristobal. FINALLY. The adventure was fun but I was beat and ready to hit my room at the Miconia Hotel.









More to come in a little bit. The next day was a our first day of fishing.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Do you where a red cape? You are my hero.
I think the long way there was a blessing in disguise. What a magical looking place...it looks like another world altogether. The pics are great...anxiously waiting what you have stuffed up your sleeve pic wise with hooks in em.

Safe to say that shoreline drops off quick on Baltra?
Am I understanding the translation of El Soplador properly...."The Blower"?
Standing by impatiently waiting.
Holwachagot

[clt_capt]

Sounds like a cool trip. Wish I could sleep on a plane...

[SeaBiscuit]

Originally Posted by clt_capt

Sounds like a cool trip. Wish I could sleep on a plane...

Travel with Pino once and you too WILL be sleeping on the plane, as well as any other suitable place. I promise!

Bill,
what a fantastic picture thread man. Please keep it coming. the Biscuit family council is very near a decision in regards to going to the islands and these pictures can only expedite the desired outcome.

SeaBiscuit

[Hroonk]

where are the outriggers on the fo-sportfishing boat????

Very cool Bill.....one day, I hope to be you.

[Squidnation]

The next morning I woke up and had breakfast with Bradon at his favorite local joint. Rib sticking breakfast are pretty standard in most South American places and this place was not exception. And then a short walk to the town dock and hop on the blue for our first day of striped marlin fishing





to say there were sea lions everywhere is an understatement. This is the town dock where they built the steps for the sea lion and a crappy little ramp for us humans



I was a bit suprised at the size of the ballyhoos and the fact that were gonna be J hook fishing. I know now to take a case of mediums and some circle hooks but at least Bradon likes to bait fish. Most of the other guys will stritcly pull plugs from what I am told.



Our two mates



Gary Caputi and Neive. I met Neive on the boat ride from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal. She is a dentist from Ireland. She has spent the last year traveling South American and doing volunteer dental work. She said she never caught a fish before so I asked Gary and Bradon if they minded if she tagged along. They said absolutely. But I don't think she ever planned on catching her first fish and be it a marlin at that.



I had a little visitor hit me in the head on the way out. matching the size of this little guy to the size of the ballyhoo concerned me a bit.



Well I wiffed a striped Marlin in the first 5 minutes and then another. I have been spoiled by the ease of circle hooks for the past two years. Now we are trolling 8/0 j-hooks (not very new) and two lb ballyhoo. I tried using circle hook techniques but it just wasn't happening. This is a roland martin dream spot. I mean big time hook sets whaling on them as hard as you can. Well the mate showed me how and handed Neive the rod for her first billfish encounter.









Ahhhhhh success - this was the only fish we boated for pics. All others were released in the water without taking them out. This one was also release of course.









Well after watching Gary on one and getting some more instruction from the crew I quickly reaquianted myself with the Roland Martin hook set and made one stick for my first Galapagos Stripey



Neive got some shots or my stripey







Well we managed to have 6 stick for releases I think. Maybe it was 5. But anyway we saw the potential for how good our week would be. When we got back to the dock we bid farewell to Neive and headed back to the rooms for a shower and then some dinner at another restuarant. The cool thing about galapagos is you travel 12 miles of shoreline on the way out and there is always something cool to see.



and I just can't get enough of the sea lions all over the place. I guess it just like seeing porpoise for us but I still think its cool.









Gary and Neive checking out the sea lions. Tomorrow is day two of fishing

[frankypettolina]

I fished with one of your mates when i was there- they did well for what they have to work with.

Interesting that you guys were J-hooking- when i was there we were using 9/0 circles and the same monster ballyhoo.

Sea lions everyewhere is an understatement. Cool pics Bill

[SharkJP]

very cool pics Bill. Looks like a very nice destination

[PurpleCedarPlug]

Thanks for sharing this with us Bill. I always wanted to go there and this may be my only chance.

Great Pictures..

[clt_capt]

Great action shots. Just remember to forget all that Roland Martin stuff when you get home...