Who all is going on the RRR III 10 dayer in November?

Good question, and nice to get off the other rant. The long range fleet is indeed feeling the pinch of the fuel prices. There are not many options for 'em other than looking at load rates, fuel surcharges and the possiblity of taking on fuel at Ensenada. All of those options carry their own set conditions. To go to Ensenada probably requires anglers to bring along passports and the boat do a check-in upon entering San Diego (not a huge issue with that). The fuel surcharge is something we've had the last couple years, so we're used to it at some level. The load factor is something that will no doubt have to be done. Last year our 10 day trip was very limited load, and another great memory of that charter. This year the RRIII may need to cancel another 10 day trip because that charter has not filled up as quickly as desired. If that's the case, we may need to bring those guys on to our trip. That would push our load up to 30 (which is the usual load on a 10 day). There will be guys who can't find a spot this year. That happend last year for other charters when trips were cancelled on the Shogun and other boats. Folks then were scrambling to try to find a ride. So, this is the situation on the charter for now.

As far as who's on first...I'm still working on the wifee. With the new baby I was thinking that I was going to be a no-show this year. But, wife and sons get to spend a month this summer with her family. For that, she may give me the green light!

Chark, isn't it great when you get some trading-goods? Wife spend time with family = Chark slaying fish!! Seems like a good deal to me!

Ya got to tuff it up to the wifeie.

Like me. I just sit my wife down, point my finger right in her face and in a stern voice, I tell her
" Look here woman, I am going fishing, gunna be gone for 10 days, and I would really, really like yer permission to go if that's okay with you honey dear " and that my friends is how I butch upto my Wife.

hahahahahahhahahahaha I am sooooo full of it.

Chark, ya gotttttaaaa goooo.

Chark:

Not to disrespect, but I have NEVER been on a ten day with 30 passengers. NEVER! That is one day cattle boat fishing. A ten day trip usually has 20 - 24 passengers.

I go on the AA the same time as your trip on the RRIII. It is limited at 20. Last year we took 16.

FYI

SBLASHELL with all do respect, the AA is also 15 feet shorter which traslates into carrying capacity.

The R.P carrys 32 on 10 dayers as well as the Excel and the Polaris supreme. A quick check of the boats and their respective schedules will show this differentiation.

I don't mind 30 people at all myself. Multiply the length twice at 105 feet which is 210 feet and then add the beam and there ya has it. over 230 feet of rail divded by 30 people equates to 7.6666666666666666666 feet of rail space per person.

THAT is completely unheard of in the " Cattle " boat, 1 day industry.

In conclusion. It sounds to me, that you personally wouldn't be comfortable in that situation so it is probably best that you find another trip with a much lighter load.

Best of luck to you and great fishing.

quote:

I go on the AA the same time as your trip on the RRIII. It is limited at 20. Last year we took 16.

I went on the Angler for a 10 day last year, too. Our dates were 11/24-12/4 and the load was 24 anglers and there was plenty of room to fish. You were on a limited load charter and an 11 day that costs $3375 this year as opposed to the $2650 trip on the Rooster. Let's compare apples with apples here. I love fishing the Angler with either Sam or Brian as I feel they do as good a job as any in the fleet of code boats, and really as a crew are second to none.

But, the Angler does not have the same fuel and bait/fish capacity of the Rooster, the ride is a little rougher in weather, and it's a bit smaller. Both good boats, just different.

No "dis" taken SBLASHELL,
Last year our 10 day on the RRIII was about 18, the year before closer to 30, and in '05 with the big tuna about the same. Boats last year either cancelled trips or ate it, during the early part of the season. Once a few big fish showed numbers did increase. Last year was a lot different in terms of LR loads than the previous few years. But, regardless of fill rates, the boats do calculate their loads based upon space at the rail and costs of a charter. There is a balance, and the boat owners are looking at angler's satisfaction as THE key part of the equation. Bigger boats can fish more folks. There is rail space, and the longer trips are usually much calmer and relaxed since you know you'll have many chances to drop a line productively. Guys take their "shots" at the rail, read a little, sleep a little, eat too much... There's always plenty of time for good fishing, so there's less stress. Last year was last year. Fuel has gone up about 40% and that's an expense the boats have to cover in order to keep rates in a ballpark folks can afford. So, I do expect to see more trips at capacity, if not cancelled trips and/or added fuel surcharges will have to be charged. I don't see any other way for 'em.

Wow!

I seem to have sruck on a very sensitive note. Sorry, really. I realize the RRIII is 15 feet longer, but when on anchor she is only two feet wider. For 10 extra people, hmmmmm?

I'll give you the fact that the RRIII is truly a great boat. And even more magical when John Grabowski runs it. (No disrespect Mr. Cates). But 30 is a little (by 10) too much for me.

Enjoy your trip. I wish you the best of luck!

You're going to have an awesome trip yourself on the Wahoodad charter. I have read the reports on the boards for years from their trips and they always seem to have a ball.

And as far as a boats size, width, etc. Every single boat experiences the exact same rail crowding when the current runs counter to the stern corner, thus driving everyone around the boat into one corner.

Then.............the boat swings back to the other way. But still, a limited load trip is always a dream trip.

Have fun.