Our bait mission was supremely successful setting us in prime position for the remainder of the voyage. Beautiful, perfect “beach bait” lives like no other. That accomplishment was a welcome salve that cooled the sting from a nigh fruitless morning. Offshore, much to our dismay, it seemed that the giant kelp vacuum did its work well. In the most ideal looking conditions that one can imagine - lighting, sea state, and wind, four of us from high up on the mast to the bridge deck came up with absolutely zero across seventy miles of open water. 

I’d say it is unbelievable but we’ve lived it too many times before. Fortunately we are not out of time and these ideal conditions are forecast to hold. The line we drew today was simply above the honey zone. Who knew? The cup half full takeaway of course is that we now know where not to focus our efforts going forward. 

Tomorrow, with any luck, will see us stationary, lines over the side and fishing, for the majority of the day. We’ve done a lot of “leg work” during the past couple of days. Now it is time, fish gods willing, to settle back in. Photo today features the legendary Brian Zimmerman who crafted the original Ventura County Anglers Royal Star charter in 1998. Since then Brian has headed up the voyage annually with grace, style, enthusiasm, and an iron composition/disposition. An exemplary individual in too many ways to detail here we are always grateful for Brian’s tireless efforts to make this voyage distinct, special, and memorable. Speaking of those three qualities Brian nailed them all today (no surprise) in the capture of his 75 pound wahoo. At 80 some odd years young this was no small undertaking.