10/31/13

The big treat eluded us today; an affront to our looking prowess in such sublime conditions. Abundance of school size tuna
was no issue - they were wanton and available though the best opportunities were fleeting when we got on them. Typical of
this zone one had to be on their game and ready to fire out a bait at the exact moment of approach or the chance faded
into the wake. Unlike yesterday, and to our great disappointment, the bigger tuna, that were plainly visible jumping in
numerous spots we found, were not in the mood. From at least a dozen stops throughout the day I can't say with any
certainty that we even hooked one: lock jawed bastards.

The prize we were hoping for, the big treat if you will, was any kind of flotsam holding the mother lode of
dorado/wahoo/tuna. All day, in perfect conditions with four of us burning in the glasses, produced a couple of small
plastic bottles, one clump of sea grass, and one tired but juicy looking mangrove stalk that should have done the trick.
It didn't. None of it did, and we ended the day holding the bag almost astounded that such an effort, in such an obviously
productive zone ripe with potential, did not come through for us. Right now worthy flotsam is at a premium down here; few
and far between.

I say almost astounded though because of the obvious - there are no guarantees in fishing. The best effort and the best
foot forward is only that. Luck, on either side of the spectrum, can easily usurp justice on the high seas. Today for us
it did, on the wrong side of the equation.

Ever forward we employ plan 'B' now heading to a new zone to stop and fish for at least a little while. We are presently
in one of those periods when leg work is necessary if one is to find the best of what is out there. Recognizing such a
little interlude will precede resumption of the looking effort tomorrow. Just because we didn't find it yesterday or today
does not mean we are through, quite the opposite. Such affronts only strengthen our resolve, and serve to remind us that
it wouldn't be sweet if it came too easy.

In today's photo Jaime Baird enjoys a moment of success during one of our early morning hits on school size tuna

Tim Ekstrom



Photo Here...