Solo Skiff Fishing San Diego Nine Mile Bank 5.2.2020

Date: 5/2/2020
Location: San Diego Upper Nine Mile Bank
Target Fish Species: Tuna
Fishing Vessel: Solo Skiff
End Result: 2 Bonito
1st Bonito: Trolling Nomad DTX Minnow 8+ lure on Avet Raptor LX Reel and Shimano Terez Rod at 9:30 am
2nd Bonito: Jigging purple Shimano Colt Sniper lure on Shimano Tranx 300 Reel and Phoenix M1 Inshore Rod at 1:00 pm
On May 2nd, 2020 I launched my Solo Skiff from Shelter Island Boat Ramp in San Diego, California. I cruised the Solo Skiff 12 miles out to the Pacific Ocean to the upper Nine Mile Bank and arrived to my target zone around 7:30am. I started trolling a Nomad DTX Minnow 8+ deep diving lure on an Avet LX Raptor reel/Shimano Terez Rod behind my Solo Skiff at a speed of 6mph. I visually spotted some color break between the red tide water and some blue/green water so I trolled along that color break and around 9:30am something hit the Nomad. The fish did not put up much of a fight initially and I was going to try and tail grab the bonito to preserve the meat for sushi but as it got close it took off with some runs so I hit it with the gaff.
Thankful for my first bonito I continued trolling the Upper Nine Mile Bank and collecting trash balloons. I trolled through dolphins and was buzzed by birds and Coast Guard helicopters. After no sightings of tuna boils and no more hook ups on the troll I decided to make my way in just after high noon.
On the way in just a couple miles from the entrance to the bay all the sudden the birds came overhead and bonito boils pushed up all around me. I grabbed a Nomad Chug Norris popper on a Tranx 500 reel/Daiwa Proteus rod and made a perfect cast into the middle of the bonito boils. No fish hit the popper as I pulled it through the water so I grabbed a purple Colt Sniper lure on a Tranx 300 reel/Phoenix M1 Inshore rod and started casting into the distance under the birds since the fish boiling right next to me pushed down. On the third cast and retrieve something took the Colt Sniper and I landed my second bonito for the day. Beyond grateful for the 2 beautiful bonito despite the fact that it wasn't my targeted species.
I make my way back in to a crowded Shelter Island boat ramp with 2 well kept bonito that I can now turn into sushi and throw on the Traeger Grill.
Thank you all for Watching!

[@minh7170]

Big respect to u Mikey! “Keep trolling hard. Keep working hard, good things will happen trust the process!” U put in the work even, still enjoy yourself even when u don’t get the results. I love your videos

[@dmitryanisimov4351]

Balloon Cleaner 2020/janitor Mikey!!! The sea always gives back if you do good. Great video, can’t wait for more!

[@SDFishandSips]

Another SD Fish and Sips OG viewer, supporter and hype man. I love it Dmitry! I'm so grateful for your support!

[@shawnk8802]

Man I have been watching fishing vids all week and this one was my favorite .. you are a beast man ... awesome stuff!!

[@SDFishandSips]

You're the man Shawn! Thank you for that comment. I really appreciate it!

[@rights_vs_wrong1956]

Bro, you have no idea how much the little message at the end helped me today. Thank you man.

[@SDFishandSips]

My pleasure!! I love it when that happens. Keep up the good work and positive vibes!

[@ycmotors7141]

You gave me the courage. Thank you for your good fortune

[@SDFishandSips]

I love it! Thank you for the energizing words!

[@vesnakon4465]

Your a BEAST headed out there on the solo skiff! Tight lines brotha!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks Vesna! Fish hard! Keep searching!

[@marinogomez619]

So sick homie, thanks for sharing and showing our SD waters!

[@SDFishandSips]

You're very welcome. I'm so grateful to be able to fish the beautiful waters of San Diego and California. Thank you for watching!

[@ssjadman]

awesome!!! I can feel the good vibes from Florida!!! digging the solo skiff and the music... tight lines

[@SDFishandSips]

Epic! Thank you so much for the comments, watching and enjoying. I have family in Florida and am planning on a trip to drive the Solo Skiff out there and fish. Let's meet up!

[@ssjadman]

SD Fish and Sips anytime 🤙

[@markr9312]

Great video Mickey. I love the Solo Skiff. I can't wait, I have mine coming in the next shipment later this month. See you out on the water , tight lines.

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks Mark. Looking forward to seeing you on solo skiff on the water soon!

[@charlesfike4781]

MADDDDDDD props to you bro for taking that skiff out to the 9!!! I cant wait to see a video of you with a slug bluefin on that thing!! I should be out there in the next two weeks. Keep it real ma, thats what life is about.

[@SDFishandSips]

Charles Fike thank you for watching and the motivation. A cow bluefin is my dream off the solo skiff. Loving the beautiful universe we share together.

[@scottro79]

Nicely done! Thanks for picking up the trash too!

[@mijeepito1]

Really like the good vibes brotha. Just got a new subscriber. God bless you👍🇺🇲

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks for the sub and thank you for watching!

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Right on! Nothing like a solo run.

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks for watching!

[@BigEzzy619]

Yeah idk if my vibe Sea ghost would make it out there haha. Good stuff. Great vid.

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks for watching! If you're not confident in your setup then it's not worth it. Better safe than sorry. Safety first!

[@swn69]

Coast guard helo was probably thinking... this guy is nuckin' futs way out here in a kayak.

[@SDFishandSips]

I think so. Like the people fishing the Coronados a couple of years ago that saw me out there. Thanks for watching!

[@swn69]

@@SDFishandSips Might have been one of them... I was there pretty much every Monday during the season for the last 3 years. Sold my boat last October.

[@skiffguy]

Awesomeness...pure awesomeness

[@SDFishandSips]

skiffguy Thank you for watching and the compliments!

[@bakercharters7987]

Dude! True student of the sea! not sure what took so long for me to find your channel. Love your videos and that you get the balloons / trash; excellent karma :D

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank you!!!🙏🤙

[@MrAJM728]

You are one brave a___ fisherman! Awesome fishing video!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank you!

[@hectorrodriquez8785]

Mad respect to the "Shepard of the bay". Keep trusting the process!!!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank you Hector. Trusting the process proved successful for me in Northern California’s Lost Coast just recently. I’m working on the video now.

[@joejustjoe3926]

Dayam dude, Red tide boils and all! Sweet!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks Joe! That was such a crazy unreal moment when all the sudden the red tide started boiling, the birds came overhead and the bonito blew up. Thanks for watching!

[@brucelambert8619]

Beautiful fish

[@SDFishandSips]

Yes they are! Thanks for watching!

[@2010nvillanueva]

Yessah!! Epic awesome solo skiff video..my solo skiff is on the way brother! Buddies of mine were patrolling ocean on the border patrol boat 11 miles south west mission bay came across huge boil of tuna out there it was insane they said!! They literally was right of top of them ..

[@SDFishandSips]

Wow! Thank you for the report. I know if I troll enough I will eventually get a shot at some tuna. Or maybe even Wahoo!

[@2010nvillanueva]

Get um ! Get the big one!! Yessah!! 🤙

[@jacksfishingchannel]

Great job catching that big Bonito!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks Jack! I really enjoy eating bonito. Poke, ceviche, and smoked are all great. Thanks for watching!

[@jacksfishingchannel]

@@SDFishandSips Your welcome!

[@AK-cl7kg]

Good shit bro ...way to take care of the ocean! 🤙🏽

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks bro. I'm probably upcast 50 balloons cleaned up this year. Also working with the Clean Waterman Crew and RV Pilar research boat in La Jolla to keep the oceans clean! Thanks for the support!

[@MFOutdoors]

Bro, you are hardcore!!! Stoked you scored some meat!!!🤘🤘

[@SDFishandSips]

MF Outdoors the bonito came out amazing as poke, ceviche and jerky on the Traeger. I’m working on adding some cooking and culinary content to my videos. Stay tuned and thanks for watching.

[@jameswathen2376]

I love the old Honda dirt bike!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks James! Do you know anyone interested in taking it off my hands? I thought I would use it butI've been so caught up with fishing it just sits now and I want to get it to someone who will use it. Thanks for watching!

[@socaloutdoors7355]

@@SDFishandSips damn, this is a long shot but do still haver? I'd be interested.

[@daverage4811]

Mikey,funny I found and watched this video when I was jonesing to get on the water during lockdown. Didn’t know if I was going boat or kayak but doing research on 1st boat size to where I wanted to fish for good fish and thought 18-19’ minimum to get out there and I run across your video of a Soloskiff @ the 9! I ended up getting a 12” pedal kayak. Still cool to rewatch your craziness 🤘

[@SDFishandSips]

That is a great story!! Thank you for sharing. I love it! Tight lines David!!

[@kakrot3]

Good video 👍. Keep it up.

[@SDFishandSips]

kakrot3 Will do. Thank you for watching.

[@darkh2o716]

Very cool video.

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank you!

[@johnpawlak7484]

You are a total STUD!!!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks John! It’s comments like these that fire me up to keep me going hard.

[@cameronmcnamara7241]

Dude I thought jetski guy at Coronado took the wild man prize but you fersure do haha! so sick !! #KeepSlaying

[@SDFishandSips]

cameron mcnamara Believe it or not I took the Solo Skiff to the Coronado’s 3 times. Once from Mission Bay, once from Liberty Station, and once from Glorietta when I first got the Skiff and Shelter Island Ramp was closed. I was fishing next to the San Diego at one point! It was a very wet miserable ride back against the NW winds and I probably won’t be doing it again unless I had a big boat to trail behind and have it block out the wind.

[@RIDEON909]

Just subscribed,Your vids are sick bro Keep em coming 👍

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank for subscribing and watching. There will be plenty more on the way!

[@hihoian]

Cool video

[@SDFishandSips]

Ian Santos thank you for watching and enjoying my videos! Stay tuned I have great footage from a trip to Northern California in search of Salmon on the on the way.

[@alfredgarcia6608]

You're living correct, California fishing style. Thanks for the balloon 🎈 clean up.

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank you! The California Fishing Style has taught me everything and saved my life. Good karma for the balloon clean up! Tight lines Alfred!

[@overthetop6331]

Just started watching your videos. This one gives me the courage to take my 16 foot V bottom out to Coronado. What do you think?

[@mred9335]

Go get em Mikey!

[@SDFishandSips]

Yes Mr Ed. I WILL GET EM! Thank you for watching!

[@12robinredbreast]

Hell yeah man! Was this in 2020 or nahh?

[@rossothecrimson7]

@Pinochet's Helicopter 🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@UrMOM-tt2ye]

@Pinochet's Helicopter Uggghhhhh we get it masks are communism stfusb

[@SDFishandSips]

Haha! Thanks for watching!

[@lauracornell6613]

he deserves way more fame hes the best

[@tapeworm6093]

YBS Youngblood’s are right up there if not better! West Australia aquarium water with an extra cute border collie

[@SDFishandSips]

Do you know YBS Youngblood's? I would live to take a trip out there and fish with them They are next level!

[@tapeworm6093]

SD Fish and Sips I wish I did, looks like they are having too much fun! As well as you sir! The water in your area looks more foreboding

[@GREENWOODS_77]

Hey sdfs we're did you get that map coordinates ocean fishing

[@SDFishandSips]

Most local San Diego tackle shops and Turner's Outdoorsman has them as well. Thanks for watching!

[@Delivers92130]

I’m interested in getting a Solo Skiff. Have you done a video of your setup and costs? Tight lines!

[@SDFishandSips]

I have not done a video dedicated to my setup and costs. Right now it’s just buried in all the different videos. I will try and put something together, that is a really good idea. From my understanding you have to go through a local dealer to purchase a Solo Skiff unless you can find one used somewhere. Thank you for watching!

[@davidyates8297]

Got some cajones taking the solo skiff out there bruh! Nice work getting those bonies and good karma for gaffing the balloons! Love the Slightly Stupid playing in the background! Cheers!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank you David! Good ear on the Slightly Stooped! Gotta love the local Ocean Beach reggae styles!

[@jeffmcconniel2838]

He speaks hashtag with authority. Mad props for offshore SoloSkiffin' 2020 tho.

[@SDFishandSips]

Hahaha!! Tuna 2021 time now! Thanks for watching!

[@JorgeRomero-qz1rd]

Good shit bro. Water looks hella dirty due to the red tide but with time it will clear up and that tuna will appear...

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks Jorge. I tried hard all year for Tuna from the Solo Skiff but am still searching and waiting for a hook up. I'm going to keep searching, trolling, and fishing and have faith to know that my time will eventually come. Thanks for watching!

[@rickmartinez4586]

Nuts! Bad ass

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks Rick! Cool drone footage you have from years ago on KZbin. Thanks for the support!

[@robertdiehl1281]

Guts dude. That’s what it takes to be out there. Some extremely big sharks share that water...especially when the currents are right. You know what I mean.

[@SDFishandSips]

Very true. I know the big white sharks have seen me, I have yet to see them but know it's only a matter of time. Thanks for watching!

[@socalsurfadventures4627]

Sick!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank you!

[@ericoakley4388]

Great vid, too Cool you pick up all that trash....thanks.

[@SDFishandSips]

You are very welcome. It's a pleasure picking up the trash and keeping the ocean clean. Thanks for watching!

[@jayp9279]

I took a shot of whiskey every time you said "troll hard". I'm wasted. cool flick dude

[@SDFishandSips]

I'm stoked that there are some drinking games coming out of my videos. Unexpected but nice. Thanks for watching and letting everyone know about the drinking game! The more views the better!

[@jayp9279]

SD Fish and Sips solo skiff 2020 troll hard

[@josh9399]

Just an FYI - if needing range on the radio, hold it straight up and down as high as you can hold it.

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank you Josh! I will try this next time. Thank you for watching!

[@donaldstephensen8654]

GREAT VIDEO BOSS..WHAT SIZE GAS TANK YOU GOT IN HER?

[@SDFishandSips]

I have a 3 gallon external tank inside. I've actually never put gas in the Mercury outboard itself. Only fed from the 3 gallon external. The motor gets 20 miles a gallon. Sometimes I bring an extra 2 gallons in a hand can just in case. Thanks for watching!

[@cavedog6192]

I think I saw you launch from Ski Beach right before the corona lock down.

[@SDFishandSips]

I remember that! I had just caught a nice 25lb halibut that I was showing off. The police were just coming through to shut down the ramp and parking lot.

[@pescayskiffargentina]

Hello Mikee, I follow your videos from Argentina, could you tell me who made your skiff? I have assembled mine by hand. soon I'll go fishing in it. a hug excellent videos.

[@moejoe3827]

new sub here..great stuff in your channel.

[@SDFishandSips]

moe joe thank you for watching and subscribing. Your time and interest are making my dreams come true. Thank you.

[@travisbaetz8173]

Man that red tied has been a bit nuts, it was all over Marina del Rey last Sunday when I took my solo out.

[@SDFishandSips]

It looks like its starting to change. I was out in LJ today chasing Threshers/ I had one hit my Nomad but it popped off.

[@travisbaetz8173]

Nice, I'm hitting up the Venice pier reefs tomorrow and see if I can get some one trigger fish and sheep head

[@khaihuynh11]

SD Fish and Sips Did you beach launch at La Jolla?

[@reptileheadquarters8853]

I'm heading down to san Diego with my skeeter on Thursday-Sunday this week!!! Got any tips yo get us on some yellows and tuna?!

[@SDFishandSips]

My tip for yellows is fish a big fat lively greenback mackerel. The biggest you can catch and slow troll it flylined on the surface around the La Jolla kelp in about 90’ of water. Look for birds, boils, life and troll those areas hard. I‘’lol get back to you on the Tuna when I figure it out.

[@reptileheadquarters8853]

Maybe we can meet up and you can come out for a day.

[@taylorn9346]

Where did you get your off shore maps?

[@SDFishandSips]

Squid Co Tackle Shop by Sports Arena San Diego and Dana Landing Tackle Shop in Mission Bay. I also have some for Mexico. Those maps are really cool. There is something different about having a physical map then an electronic one. Go get em! Thanks for watching.

[@khaihuynh11]

That’s bad ass!! Gotta join u one day with my solo skiff.

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks bro! I would love to fish with another follow solo skiffer!

[@paulrobinson1823]

Nice video and setup. What type of map was that you started the video off with?

[@SDFishandSips]

That is a San Diego offshore map they sell at the tackle shops in San Diego. It's great because it has a northings and eastings brides with GPS locations so you can mark areas, plan out, and keep track of where you catch fish throughout the years fishing. They also make them for other areas like Catalina, Orange County, Channel Islands, etc. Thank you for watching!

[@nolanminor6761]

So why all the effort of bleeding/gutting the fish but no ice?

[@SDFishandSips]

I forgot the ice at home. I like to bring frozen water bottles to stuff in the bellies after bleeding and gutting. Thanks for watching!

[@ultimatejay]

Cool vid. How come you gaff a 4lb Bonita instead of just grabbing the leader and pulling it in?

[@SDFishandSips]

ultimatejay I tried for the pull in on the first but it wasn’t happening so I decided on the gaff and made it happen. I would much rather pull in then gaff to preserve meat. Thank you for watching!

[@otroflores91]

How long was the ride out with that set up?

[@SDFishandSips]

It’s roughly an hour ride out to the nine mile bank from Mission Bay. Depends on the surface conditions, wind, and how wet I want to get.

[@werftv4580]

nice.. the 178 is a classic early tuna spot.. those T300's won't do you much good if you hook one bigger than about 30 lb you are going to have your hands full..

[@SDFishandSips]

True. The T300 can handle yellowtail and bonito but Tuna will probably smoke it.

[@OfficeofthePacific]

You're braver than me, I try to avoid Red tide, like the Tequila Virus! Catch 'em up 👍

[@SDFishandSips]

Haha. It's usually the winds that will stop me on the Solo Skiff. Thanks for watching!

[@fernandoamparano7984]

Bad ass bro waiting for my solo skiff to come in

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks bro. We will fish together when it does.

[@fernandoamparano7984]

SD Fish and Sips yes sir

[@fernandoamparano7984]

Hey bro how hard would it be to hit the coronado islands with the solo skiff

[@SDFishandSips]

I did the Coronados 3 times back in 2018. The Shelter Island boat ramp was closed so I went out of Mission bay. 22 miles each way, about two hours each way. Usually a very wet ride on the way back against the wind.

[@fernandoamparano7984]

SD Fish and Sips thats bad ass how did you do? Hope to see more videos if your slayings

[@kqc8224]

Hey Mikee, nice job on the 3 balloons and 2 Bones! That’s a great day of fishing for sure. Do you wear waders on your skiff ? Or just waterproof pants and water shoes ? Thanks for sharing the adventure!

[@SDFishandSips]

Hey Kenny. I’ve changed it up a bunch and feel like waders are best to stay warm in winter or under wet conditions and waterproof pants are better when warmer and to protect from the sun. Thanks for watching. Tight lines!

[@chrischapoteau3263]

@@SDFishandSips what's the coordinated to the 9 mi bank .

[@circle.of.jerks.]

what size line do you run?

[@SDFishandSips]

I run 80 pound braided/spectra main line to a swivel to 50 pound fluorocarbon to the lure. I drop the fluorocarbon leader down in size to 30 pound if I'm fishing live bait.

[@artsyerthenu]

I wonder what year this was... Lol

[@SDFishandSips]

Haha! Tuna 2020. Thanks for watching!

[@ryanschoening6657]

Your in ob ? I'm from here as well ! I have a bote rover with a 8 hp four stroke. We should go out sometime ! Been looking for someone to go out with

[@SDFishandSips]

Let’s do it. La Jolla shores launch for some wintertime yellowtail on the iron. I’ll be back in SD in 2021. Thanks for watching and the support my fellow Obecian!

[@rd4660]

I thought taking my 16’ Whaler out to the 302 was brave, but hell, taking a SoloSkiff to the 9 is balsy!

[@SDFishandSips]

A dream of mine is to get the Solo Skiff out to the 302 but I will definitely need some help from some other fisherman and larger boats for safety. Maybe a mothership? If anyone has a boat large enough to mothership my Solo Skiff to the Tuna grounds please let me know. Thanks for watching!

[@NateKnows]

What year was this video made?

[@SDFishandSips]

2020

[@charlesfike4781]

oh yeah, and FFFFFF the balloons!!!!! im so sick of cleaning up the balloons!

[@SDFishandSips]

You and me both but now I make a game out of it and have fun with it. I'm teaming up with Clean Waterman Crew and RV Pilar Research boat to help keep the ocean clean. Thanks for watching and helping keep the ocean clean!

[@darrellfolger1436]

You are the man Mike! Keep on practicing for the next 2 day (LARGO) trip we will be on. You got nothing but my respect and envy right now. Please be safe on your ventures. We will fish together soon enough.

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks Darrell! I can't wait to fish with you again. That was amazing watching you pull on that giant blue fin a couple years back. Thanks for watching!

[@MarcusCarltonMay]

Just checking, you’re trolling soft or hard?

[@SDFishandSips]

Hey Marcus. I'm trolling hard in the video but have recently switched to soft Hawaiian style trolling lures. Gotta mix it up.

[@totalaircontrol5886]

huge props! fucking rad AF... F the dudes who thumbed down! …. SOLID!

[@bayonne]

2020. 2020. 2020. Dude Bro

[@SDFishandSips]

Tuna 2020

[@daled8221]

Nice effort dude & thanks for picking up peoples crap! If you went in under blown out conditions, you worried about those waders trying to sink you like a rock even with your life jacket on? Tight lines!!!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks Dale. I have definitely thought about and planned out what I would do if I went in with my waders on. Good looking out. Thanks for watching!

[@charliecohen2241]

Squid co is the best tackle shop

[@SDFishandSips]

Yes it is. I owe a lot to Joey and SquidCo. They have helped me from day 1 develop into the fisherman I am today. Thank you SquidCo!

[@charliecohen2241]

I have started many fishing trips there. Always a pleasure to be a costumer there.

[@jakekalmonson3506]

#Tuna2020Time

[@SDFishandSips]

There he is! SD Fish and Sips OG viewer, supporter and hype man. I love it Jake!

[@andrerodriguez3043]

Hey you should let me mobb with you sometime. Ive never taken my zodiac out that far. Go after some tuna.

[@SDFishandSips]

Yes Andre! Let’s do it. The time is now. Tuna 2020 Time!

[@andrerodriguez3043]

SD Fish and Sips ill be out friday and saturday. Lets goo

[@marknou809]

twenty twenty

[@SDFishandSips]

Tuna 2020

[@tokay999]

what's your IG?

[@SDFishandSips]

SD Fish and Sips

[@tapeworm6093]

Shoulda brained the poor fish to put it out of its misery, but nah, gut it and let it flop around with no guts, wtf

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank you for the tip Tapeworm. I went out and bought a spike so I can brain them next time. Thank you for watching!

[@tapeworm6093]

SD Fish and Sips awesome! Sorry if I was a lil harsh! Good work!

[@jayp9279]

Perhaps give the fish a soft kiss and some warm fuzzies to. I mean it is a fish after all.

[@Tscaperock]

Much better without the music!

[@SDFishandSips]

Thank you for the feedback Tom. I agree. I am going to make most my videos raw/vlog/information style like this one versus a highlight reel to music like some of the others I have done. Thank you for watching and the feedback, I appreciate it.

[@mrprice2275]

Cool video

[@SDFishandSips]

Thanks you!