The Sportfishingreport.com charter season officially kicked into high gear as the SFR crew fished the rockfish opener with Captain John Sudac aboard the Cobra out of Channel Islands Sportfishing Center. Fourteen eager anglers joined chartermaster John Thompson and myself for a day of chasing rockfish around the Channel Islands. We set off and 5am sharp amidst misty and drizzling conditions to find smooth seas and light winds for our cruise to the fishing grounds off of Santa Cruz Island. Our first drifts produced a few nice reds, groupers and chuckles for the crew and we continued to pick away at them for the morning hours. Captain Sudac with Eric Ullman aboard positioned the Cobra over reef after reef and we continued to pick away at reds, blues, johnies with a few lings released as well. We tried the deep reefs, in shallow close to the Island and all the classic rockfishing holes. The bite never went wide open but we did managed about 7-8 fish per head when it was time to head for the barn. Dean Skiles jackpot sheephead highlighted the day's catch, Great job Dean !! Special thanks to Captain John Sudac and Eric Ullman for working so hard to get us on some fish and make sure everyone had a good time. The Cobra runs out of Channel Islands Sportfishing Center in Oxnard. Give them a call at 1 805-382-1612. It felt great to get back on the water and we'll see you all at the Fred Hall Show or on our next charter. Thats the "word on the water." Don