Galapagos report for Feb 15-19

**frankypettolina** · 02-22-2009, 10:26 AM

All I can say is wow!!! My friend and I arrived on San Cristobal Island on Feb 14. Started Striped Marlin fishing on the 15th. We booked the trip through Artmarina. We were scheduled to fish our days on a 35 Bertram called the Andale but when we arrived it was broke down. So we fished on the first day on the Johnamar with Capt. Edwin, his 2 mates and Artmarina rep Adam. The standard program on that boat is to pull lures at about 8 knots on TLD 50's and penn 70's. We asked if they could add teasers and pitches to the spread. Adam went to work on that. The lure spread definitely raised them, but our morning average on lures was horrible. 3 for 20. We were ready with the pitches and teasers by lunch time and went 6 for 8 in the afternoon. Ended up the day 9 for 28 and saw a few more.

Day 2 we went on the Andale. We went with a 4 teaser spread, with 2 standard wide ranges with hooks in them. The wideranges had a better hook up ratio than the resin headed lures and our pitches were doing well (I was pitching a tiagra 30 and my friend Brook was pitching a tld50- both with horses on 9/0 circles and 200 pound leader) with this spread. Ended the day 8 for 17. the problem came on the ride home when the boats had a recurrence of a fuel problem they thought they solved. HAd to transfer boats to get home. Ended up back on the Johnamar for the next 3 days.

Day 3- a little choppy compared to the flat calm first two days, but only 2 to 3 foot seas. Started out the day getting slammed by 30 pound yellowfins. Could not get away from them. But we still managed to find the marlin and caught 7 out of 18 or so. We saw a lot of tailers in the afternoon. We were dragging 4 lures with hooks, two teasers, and firing pitches at anything that came into the spread.

Day 4 started with a flurry. Went 3 for 3 in the first hour. Picked away for the rest of the day and ended up 10 for 18 or so. same spread and program.

Day 5 started out slowly. Got a fish in the first 5 minutes and then had our longest lull of the trip of 1 hour and 30 minutes

then picked away at 3 doubles and caught a few singles. Ended the day with 11 for 20 or so.

The fished averaged around 125 to 175. We had 2 I would call 200, and a couple smaller ones. 45 for 100 or so bites. Raised a few more.

The island of san cristobal is a small place with some eco tours and a port. i would call it similar to Isla, only smaller and less to do. There are Sea lions everywhere. In the streets on the docks, sleeping on the side of the road. You get so used to them you almost trip over them. I went to the turtle park on the island and saw big land turtles- and some babies too.

I met Braden Escobar and Allan Star there. Great guys with a wealth of info. Anyone wanting to plan a trip to the galapagos PM me and I will get you some contact info. There is not much in the way of night life, or fine dining, but the fishing is world class. BTW- I was told my week was average to slow fishing for there!!!!!

I will post some pics later

**Squidnation** · 02-22-2009, 10:32 AM

Very cool Report Franky - this place is on my bucket list. Were you fishing on modified outboards or diesels?

**frankypettolina** · 02-22-2009, 10:41 AM

The Andale had twin Cummins diesels. The Johnamar had twin 4 stroke Yammy's

According to Allan and Braden, the big problem with diesels there is the quality of fuel and maintenance items. Apparently the current regulations (which can change at the drop of a bribe, err hat) diesel inboards are allowed provided they are less than 300 horsepower (I think).

**flndrpndr23** · 02-23-2009, 10:13 AM

Franky,
How about those pics ?
Doug

**Wesco** · 02-23-2009, 11:00 AM

Great report. Can't wait to see the pics.

**Randy Stinchcomb** · 02-23-2009, 01:30 PM

Great Report Franky

if your still there, say "hello" to my CG buddy, Capt Allan Star

**whowantstoknow** · 02-23-2009, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by frankypettolina

All I can say is wow!!! My friend and I arrived on San Cristobal Island on Feb 14. Started Striped Marlin fishing on the 15th. We booked the trip through Artmarina. We were scheduled to fish our days on a 35 Bertram called the Andale but when we arrived it was broke down. So we fished on the first day on the Johnamar with Capt. Edwin, his 2 mates and Artmarina rep Adam. The standard program on that boat is to pull lures at about 8 knots on TLD 50's and penn 70's. We asked if they could add teasers and pitches to the spread. Adam went to work on that. The lure spread definitely raised them, but our morning average on lures was horrible. 3 for 20. We were ready with the pitches and teasers by lunch time and went 6 for 8 in the afternoon. Ended up the day 9 for 28 and saw a few more.

Day 2 we went on the Andale. We went with a 4 teaser spread, with 2 standard wide ranges with hooks in them. The wideranges had a better hook up ratio than the resin headed lures and our pitches were doing well (I was pitching a tiagra 30 and my friend Brook was pitching a tld50- both with horses on 9/0 circles and 200 pound leader) with this spread. Ended the day 8 for 17. the problem came on the ride home when the boats had a recurrence of a fuel problem they thought they solved. HAd to transfer boats to get home. Ended up back on the Johnamar for the next 3 days.

Day 3- a little choppy compared to the flat calm first two days, but only 2 to 3 foot seas. Started out the day getting slammed by 30 pound yellowfins. Could not get away from them. But we still managed to find the marlin and caught 7 out of 18 or so. We saw a lot of tailers in the afternoon. We were dragging 4 lures with hooks, two teasers, and firing pitches at anything that came into the spread.

Day 4 started with a flurry. Went 3 for 3 in the first hour. Picked away for the rest of the day and ended up 10 for 18 or so. same spread and program.

Day 5 started out slowly. Got a fish in the first 5 minutes and then had our longest lull of the trip of 1 hour and 30 minutes

then picked away at 3 doubles and caught a few singles. Ended the day with 11 for 20 or so.

The fished averaged around 125 to 175. We had 2 I would call 200, and a couple smaller ones. 45 for 100 or so bites. Raised a few more.

The island of san cristobal is a small place with some eco tours and a port. i would call it similar to Isla, only smaller and less to do. There are Sea lions everywhere. In the streets on the docks, sleeping on the side of the road. You get so used to them you almost trip over them. I went to the turtle park on the island and saw big land turtles- and some babies too.

I met Braden Escobar and Allan Star there. Great guys with a wealth of info. Anyone wanting to plan a trip to the galapagos PM me and I will get you some contact info. There is not much in the way of night life, or fine dining, but the fishing is world class. BTW- I was told my week was average to slow fishing for there!!!!!

I will post some pics later

i was just talking to people about the galapagos islands

- i watched a whole thing on national geographic about the islands and was wondering how the fishing was there!!!! Great report....i got to get there it sounds like some great fishing - cant wait to see the pictures - the islands look beautiful!!!!

**frankypettolina** · 02-23-2009, 04:34 PM

Working on the pics everybody. I have over 200, just trying to sort through them.

Randy- not only did I see Allan, I can give you his email. He is doing well. i went to dinner with him several nights and out drinking with him 2 of the nights. Cool dude. I hope I am having as much fun when i am 67!!