11/19/13

A completely different picture here today, that thankfully included some decent morning fishing, as the moon and weather
change transformed yesterday's pleasures into today's challenges. Virtually no sign of the skinnies so prolific yesterday set
us to targeting any consolation coming up with a fair hit on beefer yellowtail along the way.

For a short while it appeared that the 35 - 40# class yellows were going to settle in and give us a real run for our money
but they gave it up when conditions changed leaving us holding the bag. No complaints with what we landed - a lack of
gratitude for every big beautiful specimen in the first RSW tank would be plain inconsiderate - but these jumbo yellows have
a unique way of eliciting want of more, always.

On a side note I have to mention how effective the butterfly jigs were today, and are in general, when it comes to west coast
yellowtail fishing. Whether it be big yellows at Alijos or school fish along the beach the butterfly method, applied
correctly, is absolutely lethal; and not only when the fish are biting with abandon. That to me is the true measure of a lure
and/or method's effectiveness - how consistently it produces across the board; when the fishing is good and not so good. By
this standard the butterfly method, as crazy as it appears to us west coasters, is an incredibly worthy addition to an
anglers arsenal.

Shimano representative and master angler Mark Mills absolutely schooled all of us this morning in just how effective the
butterfly jigs can be. One after another big yellows fell victim to the irresistible, jerk and flutter motion while Mark held
on for the subsequent ride. Needless to say many observant anglers took close note of the disproportionate success I suspect
adding more than a few butterfly jigs and outfits to their growing Christmas and holiday wish lists.

That is exactly what these Shimano sponsored voyages are about. The chance for anglers to see and use different lures,
methods, and equipment perhaps becoming enlightened, or at least expanding their horizons, along the way. To date I have
never seen one of these voyages fail to deliver in these respects. The amount of gear alone is nothing short of incredible,
but the opportunity to see it all put to use, and test drive any and everything for one's self, is an element of value, both
in dollars and sense, no other voyages offer.

Photos today feature anglers John Garner with a nice "skin" landed on the sweet Marauder, and Steve Bosang with a 38# class
yellowtail landed during the best of today's action.

Tim Ekstrom


Photo Here...

Photo Here...