12/18/13

Again the bruisers took the day off. Cruising the deeps somewhere unknown, likely in the company of their air breathing friends that were prevalent before and now also nowhere to be found, they regroup awaiting the next round.

Narrow windows is what this whole fishery is about, actually all fishing, as those perfect combinations of conditions occasionally come together to reward those present with the chance to make good on the opportunity. Timing is everything, and in the case of long range voyages often good fortune, as the finite duration of actual fishing time often dictates failure or success.

That's not to say that the fishing part is irrelevant, making it happen within the set of conditions one has to work with is what we are all about, but fortune in timing certainly plays strong into the notable hauls as the salient factors of big fish success are their presence, appetite, and vulnerability to our fishing methods.

Of interest today, and relief, was the expansion of what we found yesterday on the outside. Good fishing on mid grade, 120 - 195 pound yellowfin tuna made our morning and gave anglers a worthy trade for effort in their teenage prime of life. Whatever charges these fish up on the outside - bottomless water suggesting freedom, behavioral effects of pursuing some type of forage - whatever the case the fish we hook on the outside are commonly more spirited in their efforts to escape than those we battle in the shallows. Today was no exception.

From a couple of different stops we wrangled a few more than a dozen 150 - 195 pound bruisers that one would have sworn were solid two hundred pounders by the way they pulled. They came hard earned, and with extra satisfaction, even with the fantastic catch of seventeen big deuces already in the holds. For a sense of triumph these bastards delivered big time today, and then some. In the process we reached the quantity threshold recognizing that the premium RSW tuna and wahoo on board for this ultra limited group of anglers was enough.

We came, we saw, we lived, we caught, we triumphed - a success in every respect. As it turned out timing was perfect to the end as one final attempt to wrangle a single afternoon trophy fell flat; no fish were to be found or had. It was over for the day, and we were gone.

Photos today feature a four image sequence of long time trophy yellowfin tuna veteran Bob Pound at the moment of truth when his 256 pound yellowfin was first near gaff, then on the gaff, then coming over the rail. Bob and I share a long history of fishing for giant yellowfin tuna together dating back to 1990 when I ran my first trip to the Revillagigedo Islands as Captain of the Royal Polaris. Since then we have many memorable voyages under our belts providing volumes of stories to reminisce when we spend time yarning in the galley and/or at the rail. A better companion at sea is not to be found; and a more consistently productive fisherman as well.

Tim Ekstrom

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