5/30/2014

For all of us I can report that it feels good to be out on the water again. Good bait resides in our tanks - a bounty of 4-7 inch sardines mixed with tasty little green mackerel, inconsistent with too prevalent jeremiad rumor of anchovy armageddon. Signs on the water are right on track with the warmer trend already well established. Tropical cyclones down below, tropical species already up above - we are lined up to see some fishing and conditions very different this season from the previous six or seven, perhaps longer. Whether this bodes well or otherwise remains to be seen.

I'm usually strong on predictions but right now I choose to sit this one out. A little more time to develop, and of course a little time on the water, may refresh and embolden my prophetic nature. For now we sally forth in search of something, anything large, willing, and hungry to assuage the hunter's instinct. Weather and timing will be a significant factor in this voyage strategy; but that is not news, it is fishing reality.

A strong group of veteran and freshmen anglers will pit their combined skills against whatever we find tomorrow and beyond as the real fishing commences amidst welcome offshore conditions. The big slug of bluefin tuna up and eager last week are presently skulking around the deeps incognito. A few have been observed here and there, a sure indication that plenty more are hiding below, but another big float is still pending. Good weather and a waxing moon are historically productive offshore combinations. The former is what is needed foremost when we take our shot at bluefin offshore.

From this point forward Royal Star is out on the water. On board reporting will continue as our Summer 2014 season has officially begun.

Tim Ekstrom