We started in the Zone with the first bait going out yielding a 203lber for Jeffy Shapiro. Great start, but unfortunately the sharks got on us and we had a hard time shaking them. Unfortunately, they won more than they lost (we have some tuna heads if anyone needs crab bait). We changed strategy and trolled for wahoo and got 19 for our efforts. We thought the day would end with more sharks, but Captain Yamate found a nice bird school a few miles away. We slid in and started hooking fish, most were smaller fish in the 50lb class. It was a tough day of fishing, but ended well with the story below.

As dinner was called, Harry Yokoyama was the lone angler at the rail. At Roy’s suggestion (I think he had a new joke he wanted to tell and his audience left), he decided to fish one more bait. For his diligence, he hooked a large shark in complete darkness. However, low and behold, the shark was magically transformed into a nice tuna. The only problem is the resident sharks found us, started circling and harassing Harry’s fish. Most of these stories end as heart breakers, but not this one. Harry fought through the sharks and was rewarded for his efforts with his second personal best of the trip at 186lbs.

There are some people you really want to catch a large fish (besides me of course) and Harry is “That Guy” in a good way. He is always smiling, laughing, gracious and courteous. During the fight most of us stayed with Harry and rooted him on. When he landed the fish it uplifted us all and was just what everyone needed. Yes, he got his celebratory hose down (several in fact) and was drenched head to toe (it never gets old). We have a half day of fishing left before we go. We hope to collect a few more tuna over 200 before we go.

Harry sends his best to Bill and Sue and wishes you guys were here to see him get his butt thoroughly kicked by that tuna (that last part is my contribution)…