7/2/13

A distinct change of pace today as fishing action of long range caliber finally kicked in. The "good old days" are
still alive and well as demonstrated by yellowtail action on 25 - 35# fish that defied conventional notions. In
flat calm, soothingly warm conditions one anchor job placed us smack in the middle of a yellowtail highway that was
stunning in the volume of fish that were visible at all times.

Numerous big schools toured the area cruising the perimeter and making regular drive by's to the delight of the
surface pluggers. As for the fishing, or catching better said, it was as we prefer. Everything worked, and worked
well. It was one of those epic long range opportunities to purge the tackle box. All those odd, fisherman catching
lures one asks themselves why they ever purchased finally had their day. It was a day to test tackle, hone
techniques, and enjoy the pure pleasure of catching a thoroughly satisfying quantity of beautiful quality game
fish.

I suppose the only downside of such incredible fishing is that it comes to an end in relatively short order. Once
the generous Mexican limits are reached we pack it up and move on. But this is a good thing, and the kind of
"disappointments" we are glad to shoulder; in particular today as this ocean abounds in alternatives.

As much of a highlight as the yellowtail were I have to say that they, even in their stunning quantity and quality,
were overshadowed by the jewel of sub tropical long range. While fishing for yellowtail Royal Star veteran Danny
Abifadel provided everyone with the first taste. On the classic blue and white, treble hook equipped Salas 6x Jr.
Danny tied into something big, and fast - obviously not any kind of yellowtail. After a few turns around the boat
the beast was landed to surprise and awe of every angler within eyesight. A 77 pound wahoo coming over the rail
makes quite an impression.

So Danny lands this big ole gator on the classic yellowtail yo-yo jig, is overcome with elation, snaps a few
photos, then quickly re-rigs his casting outfit with a shiny, multi-colored wahoo bomb. The first thing I asked
him, taking a cue from my chief mentor Captain Steve Loomis, is why he changed his jig? It already worked, why
change it? We shared a laugh about it then he went off to cast his newly rigged bomb - and proceeded to catch two
or three more yellowtail.

Now comes the best part of the story. After being unsuccessful in his pursuit of a second wahoo using the bomb
Danny switched back to the trusty Salas blue and white 6x Jr. with the treble hook to resume yellowtail yo-yo
fishing in standard form. I gather everyone reading can predict what next occurred - he landed another forty pound
wahoo.

In doing so he set us on a path to landing fifteen of the coveted speedsters rounding out the day in the quality,
quantity, and variety categories to perfection. Between the fantastic yellows, a few yellowfin tuna, a handful of
dorado, and fifteen big skinnies (four were 65 - 77#) this day ends on a high note. The best thing about it is that
it is far from over. We will be dedicating at least one more day to the pursuit of wahoo, tuna, and dorado in these
regions before heading back north.

Photo number one rightly features Danny with his 77 pound, trophy wahoo and Captain Brian Sims who performed more
than a few heroics in the process of landing the big speedster. Photo number two features long time Royal Star
veteran Bob Hendrickson with his first wahoo laid out beautifully on the rail by young Captain, and newest Royal
Star crewman, Jimmy Merrill.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...

Photo Here...