THE FIRST 24 HOURS (121311)!!! Writing this report is a lot like sending a message in a bottle. The satellite connection is not working so I don't know when or if you'll be reading this report. It's not that I haven't been ready, willing, and able to write it, but it won't go through until who knows. At any rate I'll write it now and it will be ready to send if the connection ever works, but it may be a bit outdated by then. We arrived at our destination probably within 10 minutes of when the auto pilot had predicted it four days before. It didn't take long until Larry Eilbot (whoa, that's me!) hooked a wahoo and landed the first fish of the trip. About the same time Bob Ramirez landed the first tuna, about a 140 pounder on the kite. Since then it has been a relatively slow pick with moderate success on all methods. The kite seems to be working the best for larger fish and although we may not have breached the 200 pound mark yet, there have been several quality fish landed, at least four of which are 175 up to 190. The stand out anglers that come to mind associated with those fish are Keith Patterson, Howard Hada, Ben Ozaki (who's on his first trip of this duration) and Bob Gerber (who's been on too many to count). Weather is holding out fabulously and when I get word from Roy that this report gets out, I'll bring you back up to date. POEM FOR THE DAY: As the cow tuna came over the rail "Throw him back" we all heard Roy wail. It's a "BANK" fish you see Who was way over three Which of course means he's too big to fail. Shirts off and ready for battle Tomorrow morning the eternal boat ride ends and fishing begins. To say we are anxious and ready is an obvious understatement. As great as the weather has been, it's even better today and for the first time a lot of the shirts have come off and it's not too hard to work up a sweat. There's really not too much to add. This morning and early afternoon there was chaotic activity as every one had lots of last minute things to do, but the crescendo has now been reached and it's mostly time for contemplation some of which is in the form of afternoon naps. Tune in tomorrow and see if the action plays out as scripted. POEM FOR THE DAY: The old wahoo can now barely gnaw In his youth he had teeth like a saw But he's in fair condition He gets his nutrition By sucking up squid through a straw.