We got off to a dubious start today after our prospecting move went south and we found ourselves in no man's land fishless and way out of position. Such are the risks inherent in prospecting. Hero or zero. Zero was the appropriate title to go along with our catching results this morning. Actually, we did see a small amount of sign, and catch a few fish, but the obvious place to be was well apart from our position. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. At the very least I am confidant that we can check that zone off the list for a while. Such information, as painful as it is to collect, is of high value to all of us out here developing a picture of what is going on. In that respect we did our part taking one for the team so to speak.

Enough about what we didn't catch. The day's results are never complete until the bitter end. And, we always have been known for our strong finishes anyway. The occasional stumble or even fall out of grace is inevitable with the amount of time we invest in ocean fishing. In such cases, of which we have endured our share, it is all about the recovery. So when the light bulb came on around 0830, and we recognized that we were on the path to doom, we did the only thing at our disposal to change the outcome - hauled ass for greener pastures a long way from where we were.

It took some time to find them, but we had very good information coming in from all sources, and a good idea of the developing trend. Great fortune and correct positioning placed us in an ocean full of fish by the late afternoon. All the morning concern and mid day lethargy were washed away as the languid, tranquilizing afternoon atmosphere was replaced by non stop action on 12 - 25# yellowfin tuna, 10 - 25# dorado, 10 - 25# yellowtail, and a handful of 30 - 40# bluefin. It was a merciful wake up call readily embraced by these ultra veteran anglers who are well acquainted with the highs and lows of offshore fishing. Relief best describes the sentiment on the bridge though I have to admit that I never really had that grim sense of foreboding that usually accompanies those days that both begin and end in struggle. I knew we were going to get them today. Don't ask me how. I just had a strong, confidant feeling that it was going to happen. Admittedly, there were moments mid day that I was slightly wavering; I have been wrong in my clairvoyant notions before, but the sixth sense did not fail me in the end this time. Thank goodness.

So the end of the day arrived with jubilant satisfaction and plotted our next move for us. Right here. Our final stop is where we remained for the night enjoying greasy flat calm conditions free drifting on the high seas. No sea anchor, no rocking, no rolling. Flat calm. Ahhh.... We are enjoying it.

Tim