9/4/13

It stands to reason with a load of beautiful yellowtail in the RSW tanks from yesterday that we would encounter more today;
it's just the way of things. And we certainly did, but in just enough quantity to take a few more, pick off three of the
coveted "croakers" that we were really after, and liberate a few more yellows whose luck was on the favorable side of the
equation.

Afterwards began a somewhat arduous bait making mission that was an admitted patience test for yours truly as one can only
guess at the astounding quantity of bait found, almost all 3 inch sardines, with very little mackerel in the mix. The good
news is that supplementing our load on board was not critical, but after a while it became a matter of principal, a grudge
contest if you will, in which they ultimately prevailed.

Happy times were amongst the bait nightmare though. A couple of rounds of Calico Bass fishing produced not only epic fodder
for the traditional, Chef Jeffery Grant fresh bass lunch, but a ton of fun and a couple of hours of carefree angling amongst
the weeds. One of my favorite spots in particular produced among the best Calico bass fishing I have ever seen.

The best description I can give is that the bass in this one spot were almost like a voracious school of tuna. For almost an
hour straight one only had to dangle a swim bait five to ten feet below the surface off the stern and watch hoards of bass
rise to attack the presentation. They were hungry little devils, big time.

Now beyond our day of beach leisure the focus shifts to the offshore grounds tomorrow. Insane tuna fishing - for everyone out
there, has been the theme during the past couple of days. Needless to say we are ready to step back into the action. Another
reminder to any and all that we still have space on the Baja Fish Gear and Larry Brown seven day voyages in the last weeks of
September. This offshore tuna fishing will carry through - bluefin and yellowfin; the sign is incredible.

Photo today features a bird's eye view of the final moments of the summer offshore long range fisherman's dream - tangling
with a 130 bluefin in crystal clear calm seas. I am happy to report that this contest ended in victory for the angler, but
there were a few dicey moments, as always.

Tim Ekstrom


Photo Here...