The slow down continued today with a barely a couple of handfuls of better grade tuna coming over the rail from not many more opportunities. Morning conditions were fine, ideal even, but as forecast things deteriorated rapidly by 1100 hrs. Blustery, 25 - 30 knot winds and periodic squalls stripped the fun from standing outside working hard for a bite. It just wasn’t all that inviting, especially following two prior days of grease calm and sunshine.

As mentioned before the cruddy conditions are forecast to move out by morning tomorrow returning the setting out here to at least a whole lot better than today. That alone should go a long way toward redoubling general effort at the rail. Because that is exactly what it takes on these occasions when the fishing slows down. Time at the rail is the single most important component of success. Not easy to do when promising hours and hours of effort unrewarded the driving incentive is that it only takes one. One of these 120 - 150 pound yellowfin is a trip maker. Of course two is better, or even three or four, but it begins with one.

Committed to the cause through the final minute Monday we’ll see what the weather change brings tomorrow. Though we did not see the volume of fish today that we did upon arrival I’ve no doubt that they are still around en masse. Photo today features an annual update from the family side. My son Duke made his grades (straight A’s) earning himself a final voyage to the island this season. This 137 made it over the rail late in the day after a couple of earlier opportunities ended in defeat. Perseverance - no better lesson can be gleaned from the books!