01/14/14

Another excellent morning, that continued past the dawn "rush hour" well into the day, placed us in the coveted position of freighting early fish wealth. We are fat on quantity to the point of seeking quality almost exclusively with three and a half fishing days remaining. Ahhh, to be in this position so early on is what we define as a "quality problem"; too much bait and too much fish. We'll take it.

The action this morning was about fifty/fifty yellowfin in the 60 - 90# class to fish in the 120 - 203 pound range, most were 120 - 140. They add up quick, especially when coming over the rail two, three, and four at a time. Good action and good fishing to be sure, the boys were hopping at dawn.

Measuring all options mid morning we opted for an afternoon ride seeking pastures rife with old bulls and a little better sea condition; the weather forecast and information over the wire promises both. We shall see. For now satisfaction is evident in the languor below as anglers worn down from the last two days of pulling and cranking unwind and nurse various wounds of battle.

A beautiful weather forecast suggests good things to come as we plow toward the final fishing leg of this adventure. Photos today feature Royal Star veteran Mike Carlson in the early moments of a drawn out battle with a bruiser that sadly ended in defeat when a vagrant school of dorado happened upon us and wreaked mayhem. A casualty of war is how I would describe it; much to the chagrin and disappointment of all involved. But, such is fishing; one of the inevitable, albeit rare, unavoidable wrecks that come with the territory. Photo number two features another long time Royal Star veteran Brett Rapozo grinding away on a good one in the corner at the break of dawn.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...
Photo Here...