HATS OFF TO THE CREW (121911)!!! This is Larry one more time. Although I said yesterday that I was done reporting for the trip, I realized that I've done a terrible job of describing it due to a careless omission. Perhaps it's because there's no way to adequately express in words just how good the crew has been, but that hardy excuses the fact that until now I have made no mention of any of them. Shame on me! What these crew members are able to do is nothing short of miracles sometimes. Sure, you'd expect the deck hands and captains on any long range boat to do the very best they could to hook you up and eventually land a fish, but these guys do it so darn well it's amazing. What first strikes me is that they will go to extraordinary lengths to save every fish that's in danger of getting off the line. On a trip such as we've had, where so many fish have been 100 pounds or over, you could see how they might be tempted to be unconcerned about a much smaller tuna that's going under the boat or fouled up with another line. But that's not the way they do business on the Royal Polaris. Every fish is treated as if it's the biggest one that angler has ever hooked. Evan was the designated diver for this trip and jumped in the water on a number of occasions to pull a snagged line off the bottom of the boat. Thankfully all of his dives were during daylight hours as it was often shark city when the sun went down. One fish was stuck on the boat and was eventually gaffed by a crew member who was dangling over the rails being held by the feet by another crew member. Those of you who regularly fish long range know that during a prolonged battle with one of these brutes a single wrong guess or missed step can quickly lead to a lost fish. Directing an angler into the wrong position on the boat easily equates to a line rubbed on the bottom and a quick disconnect. Spectra fishing line is essential out here but can generate some tangles and knots that are literally hard to look at with out a sick feeling in your stomach. It happens frequently but almost never does the line have to be cut. They're patience and experience gets you back to fishing usually in minutes. Captain Roy Rose has the tough job of making the calls about when to move, what to use for bait when up on the kite, and another hundred or more crucial decisions daily. Too many wrong moves and you don't end up with a trip as successful as this one was. Like all jobs there is a learning curve for deck hands. Roy is as easy going as they come and always has a laugh and a smile going but there were a few times this trip when I heard him admonishing some of the newer crew members. Call it tough love, but if you're going to deck on the Royal Polaris you're expected to be the best and keep mistakes to a minimum. It's this commitment that keeps guys like myself coming back. Finally I have to acknowledge Chef Anthony and Josh (who was on his first trip ever). The food was outstanding as always and once they knew your preferences or particular things you don't eat (if there were any) they anticipated it in advance and your meals went off without a hitch. OK, I'm really done reporting now, just had to set the record straight and apologize for my glaring over sight. Bill will be attempting to send some photos soon so come on back. POEM FOR THE DAY: Said the fish who was some what depressed: "Even though we've out smarted the rest It's the Royal Polaris And I doubt that they'll spare us But at least we'll be caught by the best".