9/1/13

We began this day with a specific goal. The focus was larger class bluefin; trophy bluefin if they were available, in a zone
that has been nagging at me for the past four or five days. Conditions were ideal and timing could not have been better to
take a shot at something special.

Typical of trophy bluefin what we found was very impressive in potential. Numerous spots of jumbos were available throughout
the day teasing, tantalizing, and whetting our appetite for a defining opportunity. Very good sign of trophies, right on
track, in the exact historic zone we have had tremendous success in the distant, and recent, past. They were, they are, here.

Wily, squirrelly, and amazingly adept at seeming to know what our plans for them were they dodged, dove, switch backed, crazy
Ivaned, and basically executed every evasive maneuver in the book in their desire to not give up anything easy. It was a
challenge, but the kind of challenge that I very much enjoy. The potential payoff was fantastic, and the fishing - the actual
maneuvering and positioning of the boat - was critical, was the difference between one, some, or none; when they allowed us
to get close.

When all was said and done the day closed with 22 bluefin in the hatch. Nine went from 125 - 146 pounds, the remainder from
40 - 70. In good weather our percentages of fish hooked to fish landed was excellent - until the final stop when for whatever
reason the bad luck bug bit us in the rear. We hooked a fair round, but didn't make it into the second but for one. But even
that "correction" could not put a negative spin on the day. We set out to target big ones and accomplished the goal in larger
proportions that we expected by far. It was a fine day of fishing long range style.

Photos today feature some serious girl power. Royal Star veterans Jennifer Wakimoto and Stepahnie Beneze showed the boys how
it is done landing their respective 133 and 128 pound bluefin on the right gear. Preparation was the key to success today. No
time for undersized equipment, 50 and 60 pound, short Blackwater fluorocarbon leaders were the hot ticket.

Tim Ekstrom


Photo Here...

Photo Here...