Shogun, San Diego Tuna trip.

Hey guys. I'm signed up for a 3 day trip on The Shogun July 31- Aug. 3rd. Wondering if anybody else from NorCal is on the same trip (I'm in Oakland). Maybe we can carpool. I have a crew cab Tundra. I was a bit late when they announced their schedule for this year, and everything in the good months (June-Sept) booked up fast. Luckily I kept checking their website and was able to snag a spot when someone cancelled their reservation. I believe they will mostly be targeting Blue Fin Tuna, but will go after whatever is biting.

Heck, are there people on here who live in San Diego? (I'm pretty new to this site) Maybe I could use your back yard, water and power to process and vacuum seal the fish in exchange for some fresh sashimi.

I did a 3 day trip on The Aztec charter boat out of San Diego last year and it was fun. It was in November, kind of late for BFT, and only 3-4 fish were landed, all in the 100-180 pound range. Just 3 days before we went out everybody on the boat got at least one BFT and many people had 3. Big ones too. Captain blamed it on the water temp which had dropped into the low 60s. He said he could see rivers of them under us on sonar, but they just weren't biting. Other boats on the radio were having the same problem.

The crew was awesome. Very helpful the whole time, worked their asses off and the chef made great food.

My only complaints about that boat are:
1. They charged (on the honor system) for every drink including bottled water which was the only potable water on the boat, and every cup of coffee, and every snack which were basically Entiments, chips, and cookies.
2. There was only one shower and it was tiny. I actually decided to pass on a shower for 3 days.
3. Bunk cabins are very basic and small and crowded. Which I realize is not too uncommon. You're on a boat like that to fish, eat and sleep, not lounge around in your pajamas reading in bed.

But, one of the other fishermen I was talking to told me that, ya the Aztec is a great boat, and the crew is awesome, but if you want a whole other level of comfort and not have to pay for your "extras" to check out The Shogun. So this is my first time on that boat and on their website it looks really nice. https://www.shogunsportfishing.com

I'm really hoping for full coolers on this trip. And I hope to make this an annual thing. How many of you have gone out on these SoCal boats for BFT? What boats have you been on and which ones are your favorites?

Thanks.
Dan

Don't forget your tuna gun, Dan! 

Haha, trust me, I was dying to jump in when the captain said there was a river of giants 60' under the boat. But obviously they are not going to let one spearo jump in while 22 anglers have their lines in the water.

My favorite boat is the Royal Polaris. I've been on that boat at least 8 times and at least 3 times on the Shogun. Both are owned by the same operator (who owns fishermans landing in SD) Frank Lopreste.
Both are fine boats but my preference is the RP. The Shogun has a wider beam but somehow the boat tends to sway side by side when moving which causes a lot of motion sickness for me. I remember on my last time on that boat, I couldn't have dinner each night during my trip due to seasickness. I've never had such issues on the RP and I've been in very rough weather on that boat. But it depends on the person and both are fine vessels and Frank gets the best captains to drive them.
I believe the coffee, candy and snacks are free on the boat. Soda and water bottles are charged. The main bathroom with the shower was the size of a small bathroom and showering was pretty nice each night. There are 2 bunks to each stateroom and you'll likely share it with someone.

Incidentally, I'm going on a 2 day trip on the 25th on the New Lo-An out of Point Loma. Looking forward to that trip. It might be a bit early for big fish but I can only get out when I get time to do so from work and home.
Have fun. You'll really enjoy it. Take sea sickness meds with you if you can.

Haha, trust me, I was dying to jump in when the captain said there was a river of giants 60' under the boat. But obviously they are not going to let one spearo jump in while 22 anglers have their lines in the water.

You might not want to jump for other reasons as well. Sometimes there are sharks circling the boat. I've been to Guadalupe a few times and each time I've seen big whiteys circling below looking for an easy tuna meal (I lost 2 tuna on that trip to them).