Monterey Charter Help

Hoping for some help from the Monterey and Santa Cruz folk.

My buddy chartered the Caroline out of Chris' Fishing Trips in Monterey and since I couldn't make Albion, I thought I'd take a spot in his group.

Anyway, I called the landing and was informed that we'll need 10 ounces of weight.  Granted, I don't do a fair share of party boat fishing, but this seemed like a substantial amount.  I realize the wind and the swell help determine how much weight we'll be using but this doesn't seem that bad:

NW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT.
W SWELL 3 TO 4 FT AT 7 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.

Last summer, I went out on the Velocity out of Santa Cruz in conditions worse than this and we used 3-4 ounces all day.

Any thoughts as to why so much weight?  Feel like I'm missing something here.  Thanks for any and all thoughts and opinions.

The amount of weight needed to keep bait near or on the bottom is mainly depend on the current and depth.  Swell and wind play a more important roll for us kayakers than charter boats.

Chris' doesn't usually steer people wrong, or at least not my family haha. I'd bring a few 10oz if you have them but also a few 9,8,7 etc. What'd you charter Donny for? rockfish?

Having been a skipper for Chris' for nearly 10 years (80's -cousin is also Chris), I can confirm this is good info and always has been the case.  With multiple people fishing and often at deeper depths with wind drift and current, we want everyone drifting the same with lines stretched evenly to avoid tangles.  It's the guys with lighter weight and/or dacron line that screw everyone up because they drift differently and the tangles are the worst.

Chris' is the best outfit of course- Hope that helps.

DC- when did you stop skippering and what boat were you running? Earliest I can remember (when I was a lil kid) is Nick, Tink, and Donny. Went to school with Nick's nephew, David's kid.

Gotta agree with DC.  10 oz's keeps everyone as close to vertical and outta each others lines.  I'd bring a variety of tackle, all weights between 1 and 16 oz's and steer clear of the rental kook crowd.   

I " second" the need to follow their advise.  I have fished with them countless times out of Monterey.  Be a conformist & you will keep the deck hands happy.  Fail to conform & suffer the punnishment!

   As for why 10oz, keeps the lines all in "sync" & allows you the best chance to get the bait to the action before the drift moves you off the spot.  Also allows for the best deep water fishing.  I've fished SC boats too with the 3-5oz but we were only in 40-60 FOW the entire time.

~Bill

You could also be fishing big sur as well.

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DC- when did you stop skippering and what boat were you running? Earliest I can remember (when I was a lil kid) is Nick, Tink, and Donny. Went to school with Nick's nephew, David's kid.

Thinking about those times brings back fond memories.  I was Nick's deckhand in the early to mid 70's, he then ran the Holiday (55').  I got my license in about 1981 and my first boat was the Holiday II. Later, I ran the Holiday.  The family then bought (then) Sam's fishing.  I ran the sea wolf and Miss Monterey for awhile and occasionally ran the Star of Monterey (first glass boat there) and the New Holiday.  Bought a commercial boat and fished salmon and albacore as well.  I left the business around 89 when the bay was declared a "Sanctuary" (don't get me started), that really hurt the business.  When there, I was known as "Danny."  I think your "Donny" was me. 

I don't know about that, it's a little early for me. I think I started on the boats right around when Holiday was decomissioned? I think I rode it once or twice (maybe not?) and the rest was the New Hol/Checkmate. Never seen the sea wolf or miss Monterey. Who's running the Caroline now, do you know?

I don't know about that, it's a little early for me. I think I started on the boats right around when Holiday was decomissioned? I think I rode it once or twice (maybe not?) and the rest was the New Hol/Checkmate. Never seen the sea wolf or miss Monterey. Who's running the Caroline now, do you know?

Well, we hijacked this thread... sorry folks

There was a Don who fished boats for a little while.  I remember him well but I don't believe he stuck around that long.  I don't know the boat running arrangement over there now.