Private sportfishing · Oxnard & Ventura, California
Private charters on the Graphic Slayer for your group and nobody else — inshore for halibut and sheephead, the island runs to Anacapa and Santa Cruz, and out to Santa Rosa when the weather lets us. I bring the rods, the bait and decades of fishing these waters. You bring a license and lunch.
Trips & rates
Every trip is private — only your group aboard, up to 4 anglers — and every one leaves at 6:00 AM. On every trip but Bare Bones, the rods, reels, tackle and bait are on board. You bring a California fishing license and a light lunch.
Inshore
8 hours · 6 AM – 2 PM · Mon – Fri
Local inshore and nearshore spots, for seasonal California sheephead, rockfish, halibut, bonito, calico bass and more.
Sheephead · Rockfish · Halibut · Bonito · Calico bass
The near islands
9 hours · 6 AM – 3 PM · 7 days a week
The waters of two nearby islands, Santa Cruz and Anacapa, and whatever those fishing grounds are giving up that day.
Rockfish · Lingcod · Sheephead · Calico bass · Sculpin · Barracuda
Offshore
10 hours · 6 AM – 4 PM · 7 days a week
The biggest fish around Anacapa and Santa Cruz — the pelagic species, in season, offshore of the islands.
Yellowtail · White seabass · Halibut · Lingcod · Barracuda
The outer island
11 hours · 6 AM – 5 PM · Weather permitting
The long run to Santa Rosa for the quality fish, inshore and offshore. Weather decides this one — call or text JT before you book; the forecast reads about seven days out.
White seabass · Lingcod · Yellowtail · Halibut · Barracuda · Rockfish
Bring your own tackle
9 hours · 6 AM – 3 PM · 7 days a week
The island day with your own gear: four anglers max, three rod setups each. It comes with a licensed captain, the Graphic Slayer, a cooler and ice. Bring cash if you want live bait.
Santa Cruz Island · Anacapa Island
Prices are for the boat, up to 4 anglers. Sales tax and gratuity are extra, and a 5% harbor fee is added to charters; the Bare Bones price includes tax. Free cancellation with 14 days’ notice.
活け締め
Ikejime
My other passion is cooking, so bringing home the best possible fillets isn’t a choice — it’s my obsession. Every fish that comes over the rail is ikejime’d: the Japanese fishmonger’s humane way of dispatching a fish, then bleeding it, so the meat keeps its quality.
LandedStraight off the hook. The color is already fading — a stressed fish is filling its own muscle with lactic acid and ammonia.
Umami you can taste when aged.
Ikejime’dThe same sheephead after ikejime and a bleed. The color stays, the fillet tastes better, and it keeps long enough to age.
“He takes care of your catch, so you go home with the best tasting fish possible!”
The boat
A 22-foot Westcoaster Bayrunner cuddy cabin, built in 1989 and restored in 2020. Small enough that it is only ever your group, and set up so four anglers each have room to fish.
The electronics are the serious part: a Furuno TZT3 with DFF3D and a satellite compass, a Furuno DRS4D-NXT radar I use to find the birds — and to get home in the fog — a NAVpilot-300 autopilot and an SI-TEX AIS transponder.
Reviews
“We fished several locations and used different techniques at each one, so the day felt much more hands-on than a typical charter where everything is done for you.”
“The youngest is 4 and Capt JT was so awesome with both boys.”
“We caught about 10 different species and brought home with fresh fish for many weeks to come!”
“The captain was friendly and very patient and made us feel like we were friends out for a great day fishing.”
“While we explored the island JT filleted our fish so it was ready to take home and enjoy!”
“Only having my good friends on the boat and not having to fight crossing lines was the best fishing experience.”
The captain
I’ve been fishing since I was a teenager, and fishing the Channel Islands for decades. The most rewarding part of running charters is the moment someone catches one of their very first fish — I see it on their face and I remember my own. You can’t put a price on that.
Out there I’ll teach you the region’s fish and how to read the birds to find them, bait your hook or let you bait your own, and share the techniques that help beginners and seasoned anglers alike. Along the way we’ll likely see playful dolphins, California sea lions, and sometimes migratory whales.
Off the water I wrap my own fishing rods and make my own fishing tools.
Before you book
Straight from JT’s charter information. Anything else, call or text (805) 302-1901.
Conventional rods, reels and tackle (braid to fluorocarbon or mono), live fin bait and/or frozen squid, bottled water — and your catch filleted and bagged to take home. Bare Bones trips bring their own tackle.
A California fishing license for everyone 16 and over, and a light lunch and snacks — lunch isn’t included. A mid-size ice chest for beer and food is fine.
Up to 4. Every trip is private — only your group aboard.
The 3/4-day island trip with your own tackle: four anglers max, three rod setups each. It comes with a licensed captain, the Graphic Slayer, a cooler and ice. Bring cash for live bait if you want it.
Safety comes first and the call is the captain’s. If the forecast is in doubt, JT will call you 24 hours before the trip; if he calls it off for weather or safety, you can reschedule for another open date.
Free with 14 days’ notice. Inside two weeks the deposit is kept; inside 48 hours, 50% of the trip. More than 30 minutes late without a call counts as a no-show.
There’s a porta-potty aboard. It’s a non-smoking boat with zero tolerance for illegal drugs, including medical marijuana. It isn’t wheelchair accessible, and you’ll want moderate fitness.
Book or ask
Call or text (805) 302-1901, or send the form. Say which trip, which day and how many of you — and whether you’ve fished before.
That’s with JT. He’ll come back to you as soon as he’s off the water.
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