"Here's the real deal everyone," wrote Keith Denette, skipper of the My Way, a 45-foot Viking Express. The following story by Keith was sent to Accurate September 29 from Kevin Yamamoto. It is offered here exactly as it came from Jack Nilsen to Bill Roecker.

"As most of you know, I'm not known to glorify any catch that I make?Įnor try to promote myself to make myself any bigger, but I'm here to?Įgive the facts of how these two fish battles were won.?Į?Į

"I'm very fortunate and appreciate the opportunity to Capt, rig some of the best boats to fish around the world and Puerto Vallarta has been my destination for the last 3.5 years and the capts and crews have made this?Įplace like home.?Į?Į

"I do not have a Charter operation Puerto Vallarta, There are many great captains there that I can highly recommend using.?Į?Į

"Not in any order from experience?Į
Capt Danny Osuna-Marla Sport fishing 011-52-322-139-6312?Į
Capt Danny Gomez-Damar ?Į
Capt Juan Moll-Top Gun?Į
Capt Manny-Pacifico?Įand many more!?Į?Į

"Puerto Vallarta has been on fire for the last 3 weeks and if you're after a world class tuna, I would make reservations asap!?Į?Į

My Way is a 45' Viking Express 08'?Į
Angler:Rolf ?Į
Tackle 100lb Power Pro Braid?Į
Rod:Ian Miller Stand Up w/ bent Butt?Į
Accurate 50 2-speed?Į
Owner 12/0 Offshore Hook
?Į Time 2 hours 33 min.?Į
Drag pressure 33 to 48 lbs?Į?Į

"Our Day started like any other day, on board I had Rolf, Crewman Hector and Chino. We met with Hi-bo and tanked up with 100 fresh cabbi's and was running in the dark at 8 knts. By 8:00 we picked up to cruise at 32 kts and made the run to Roca Corbantania in just minutes. Upon arriving at the Rock, (we saw)?Įa few boats were trolling skippies and fishing for the smaller tuna.?Į?Į

"Bait was easy, 6 in the tubes and 4 went out 2-long and 2-short. We fished ?Įthe north edge where we have had success for the last 2 days and the meter was lit up with cows. 2 passes on the edge and within 10 minutes I looked back to check my spread and all of my baits were nervous, big twitches and almost pulling out of the clips. Just before I could say a word, my left short exploded. I didn't get a good look at the fish but I new we had a cow on our hands. The fish ate the bait, Rolf left the clicker on but free-spooled the reel. After a 8 second run, the boat went foward and I advised to put the reel mid way to strike position.?Į?Į

"Rolf caught this fish standup with the OTS harness and the XL Smitty.?Į?Į

"The fish never made any big runs, just the standard 150 yds at first and the typical 25 yd zips throughout the entire battle.?Į?ĮNo one touched the rod, reel or main line and Rolf hammered this fish. At first I was a little concerned about pulling the hook on this fish but I knew if we were ever going to get this fish in any time he would have to push the drag and palm the spool.?Į?Į

"About 1.5 hours into the battle Rolf put the drag to 44 lbs and still the fish would take line when ever he wanted. Rolf's a big guy and just kept on hammering this fish, not allowing it to take any line towards the end, I think with the combination of drag pressure and palm pressure he easily had 48 lbs for the last hour.?Į?Į

"Just as the fish came to color, he didn't want this fish to take any more line.?ĮWith palm on spool, and short pumps he brought this fish up within a couple of minutes. Just when the leader was going through the guides the rod broke!?Į?Į

"Right then I yelled to Chino to grab the leader and hold on and not to let go of the line no matter what. This fish worked Chino for a little bit but he made good work on this fish and it came up. Hector stuck the fish and I came down to put the finishing touches on it.?Į?Į

"After a few Hi-Fives I told the crew to cover this fish, pack Ice on it and keep it moist then asked Rolf if he was done for the day, and he looked at me as if I were crazy to leave so early on such a great day. He wanted to catch a big pargo.?Į?Į

"But I insisted this fish could be easily over 350, then he said we have a scale to weigh on board, no need to go in. I knew I would liked to weigh this fish at the dock, but when your the Capt you have do what your clients wants.?Į?Į

"So, during calm waters at Rock I scaled the fish on the Scalemaster 2 and the fish bounced from 387 to 402.?Į?Į

"We packed the fish ice, over 100lbs and I hauled ass to make more bait and fish for a Pargo.?Į?Į

"As I ran the north edge there's Danny hooked up and finishing off a cow for his clients and we pulled up and gave them a bunch of water and headed to?Įmake bait.?Į?Į

"After two drifts we get bit and we get a 82 lb Pargo.?Į?Į

"The True name for this species is a Pacific Cubera Snapper, there are cuberas on the east coast that exceed 124lbs but the species is not the same.?Į?Į

"After a quick call to Juan Moll on Top Gun and Danny on Marla to donate the rest of our Cabbies we headed in.?Į?Į

"Right at the dock I rigged the scale and tackle and zeroed it and the fish weighed 385.?Į?Į

"Rolf's not after pursuing world records like myself (I have 2) just personal bests and I think I did my job that day.?Į?Į

"Thanks for the positive comments to all my friends out there. I'm just doing what I do best, Fish.?Į?Į

"Thanks to Ned Washburn for making all of our leaders, Lawrence at Fishworks, Accurate, Eric at Eric's Tackle."?Į?Į--Capt. Keith Denette