Ocean Odyssey

After 20 years fishing with the San Diego fishing fleet, I can honestly say I’ve found the worst boat. I unfortunately spent 3 days on the boat fishing tuna. The fishing was a little tough, but the captain was bad mouthing all the passengers because no one was excited about killing 3 – 5 pound tuna. The poor treatment of the customers seemed to be a common practice as the cook and mates were also rude. The mates would gaff fish, then all customers were expected to put a tag on the fish and carry it to the kill box. Why are we doing this? To top off a horrible experience, we sat outside the harbor cleaning fish because the captain had not let the crew clean fish when they were supposed to. This resulted in the boat hitting the docks 90 minutes late and me missing my flight. This was my first experience with H&M landing. I will stay away as the experience from check-​in to landing was poor. The other three landing will keep my business from now on. Stay away from the Ocean Odyssey unless you like being abused.

2 ½ day trip south of the boarder!!! My wife&I go on the Ocean Odyssey every year with spectacular results every year, each year we make new friends, so we all meet up this 2 ½ day trip. Captain’s Rick&Scooter, and outstanding crew, Desi, Kevin, Dave the chef, assistant chef. Helped everyone get settled in. Wehad the same tuna talk for the new guys, picked up some great looking sardines, and headed south. The last week in July fishing north of the boarder was hard&scratchy; at best 1 ½ fish per day. Captain Rick had a hot tip, big yellowtail&big dorado at 160 mile’s moving north with tuna in the mix. All fishermen on the boat were ready, you could feel the tension building. Our first stop was game on like super bowl Sunday. Yellowtail from 18 to 30 Lbs, Dorado 18 to 35 lbs, the whole trip was like this, and fishing hanging into the evening hours till the last day, limits of fat yellowtail&Dorado&Tuna. Thank you again for a (Fabulous) fishing trip, the crew, the boat and great friends, don’t forget the great food, awesome, all of the crew are awsome, see you all soon. By the way, the boat was in tip top condition, very very clean, and comfortable. Sincerely Shawn&Ruby. Our starting of our July 28 – 31 2015.

I fish ALOT and on alot of different boats from Santa Barbara to San Diego. I have ridden the Ocean Odyssey several times from 1 ½ day to 2 ½ day trips. I prefer 2 ½ because it gives the the Capt more time to find fish. Fish have a tendancy to move (duh) especially tuna.
I try to get in line early to get a decent bunk. Only a few times, due to the boat just getting in did we have to wait until it was cleaned. Management has a lady that cleans the bunk room, so where the dirty bunk room comment comes from, I have no clue.
The food is pretty good. I don’t like red meat, so I ask the cook for well done, and I got it well done. All the free sodas and coffee you want. You only pay for beer and bottled water. You wont go hungry!
I have never had an issue with the crew. They will tie your hooks on, splice your line if needed set your drag and talk you through your hook up. There is a seminar prior to departure. This is my second year back in Cali and second year fishing tuna. I would advise anyone, no matter what boat you ride, LISTEN TO THE CREW. They want you to catch fish!!! Good counts result in more people fishing. I was so fortunate to get a limit of fat bluefin. People ask me what was I doing. Simple answer… listen to the crew.
On one trip, the Capt was on the stern lining people up (that were having problems), hooking fish and passing off the rod.
Like any business, if an employee has an attitude or poor customer service, inform management. I am a Disabled vet, management has made accommodations for me when requested. A friend that I fish with, rode the boat with me. He was left disabled due to a shoot out in the line of duty. He was having problems landing a hefty Bluefin, the crew stepped right in and helped him out.
The Capt on this boat is not afraid to burn Fuel.
A fishing boat owner can control how clean it is. It can control the food you eat. It can control customer service. And the management of this operation does that well. The only variable (s) they cant control is making fish bite or keeping them (fish) from moving (again duh).
I ride enough boats to know bad operations from good ones and all I have to say is that I will be booking several 2 ½ — 3 day trips for the 2014 season. I spend my money where its appreciated not because I have to.

I could sit here and blast these folks for a bunch of shortcomings. But I won’t drone on.
If you want to catch fish and be treated like your money and patronage mean something, go elsewhere. Rude and offensive employees, bad food, dirty sleeping quarters, and very poor management are the order of the day here.
Do your research and go where you’re more than just part of the «cattle call». Let my loss be your gain. Don’t waste your time and money.

Finally a day of fishing.
One of my clients chartered a boat here on the Ocean Odyssey and it was for a great cause. To raise money for cancer. Got here and hung out the local tackle shops at H & M and finally boarded on the trip with 28 other avid fishermen/​women. Great stories told among many new friends and many future (non-​fictional) stories to be told by others after when we return back to the working race.
Nice, friendly staff, very clean vessel, and all you can drink sodas! Killer breakfast burritos and decent grub overall. Captain was aggresive in trying to find hotspots but the fish gods were taking the day off as there were many lost fishes and not one fishing frenzy. The deckhands were unfortunately on the so-​so side as they were not as skilled as some deckhands Ive seen in my fishing experience. I was lucky enough to catch one fish, a 23+ lb yellowtail, and out of 11 total that were caught, this one was really special as not only it took the jackpot, its the first of many to feed my hungry family.
This one is especially for you dad, now I get to share it with someone special as you did with me. wink wink
Irashai!