17 years ago our group began fishing on the Jose Andres for our annual 'friends and family' vacation. It was Tony Reyes Jr's first year as a captain. As the years have passed our trip has become so popular that we needed to move on to Tony's larger boat, the TONY REYES. We departed on Sunday May 21st with a building breeze from the north. Even though the wind continued to build due to the large weather system that was bringing rain to Los Angeles, we were making way in a following sea and the temperature was a perfect 80's. By lunch time on Monday we had dropped anchor and began fishing at Isla Salsuputes The afternoon of fishing was productive with Cory Gonyea taking the jackpot with a 27 pound Yellowtail.

As we slept on Monday night the crew moved the boat further south to San Fransiscito. We awoke to a perfect but unseasonably cool day, no clouds, no wind; 61 degree flat water and air in the low 60's. The morning fishing was good for Yellowtail, Cabrilla and Pargo. Cory took the jackpot again, this time with a 33 pound Yellowtail, a 30 pound Grouper took second.

Tuesday night the boat headed north. The conditions were perfect and still cool. Wednesday we fished Roca Pardita, San Lorenzo and Snake Island. Roger Rohm was the jackpot winner with a 32 pound Yellowtail that hit a pink mirro lure at sunset. We fished for unlimited Giant Squid to 26 pounds then continued on to Gonzaga Bay.

Thursday began with catching Macerel for bait in warming conditions, water 67 degrees, light wind and afternoon highs in the mid 80's. The live bait fishing was steady with good catches of white Seabass, Cabrilla, Spotted Bass and several nice Grouper. Groupers were the big fish of the day. A 46 pounder caught by David Duker and a 39 pounder caught by Tuff Cornelius. Thursday evening we continued the tradition of rafting all of the pangas together at sunset for cocktails, fish tales and great friendship.

The best was truely saved for last. Our final morning of fishing was at Isla Salvatierra just off Gonzaga Bay that started with a wide open White Seabass bite and continued with excellent fishing across the board for the remainder of the morning. By lunch time the jackpot had been settled with Kenny Smith taking the big money with an 85 pound Grouper and Mitch Forward as runner-up with an 18 pound Seabass. This was my first "Mother Ship" fishing experience and feel that Friday morning's fishing sums it up best. In just that one morning I personally caught White Seabass, Cabrilla, Spotted Bass, Yellowtail and Pargo. I don't see how it could possibly get any better. Great people, facilities, crew, friends and memories.

As the pangas were loaded aboard and the trip north back to San Felipe began we were all wondering where the week had gone. It seemed like only yesterday that we had parked our cars at Tony's house. I can only hope that the next 359 days will pass as quickly as the past 6.

Kim Gilbert.