11/11/14

The pictures speak for themselves today. Timing is everything; and preparation to take full advantage when opportunity knocks. Following a fruitless yet worthy morning of looking offshore, we kept with plan A arriving at our chosen destination as the lunch bell rang. Upon arrival, despite adequate preparation thanks to flowing information from our colleague on site, all eyes could not help being stunned by the sights.

Yellowfin tuna, in the size range we salivate over, dream of many a night, were flying from the water in just about every direction. Gaggles, groups, singles, doubles - trophies, real deal jumbos, were up and active leaving no doubt in anyone's mind about the quality of this opportunity. We had arrived. Now to settle in and get things started; easier said than done.

The wily devils, surfeited on a smorgasbord of local bait, were tough to come by. Hours were spent in suspense. But for a few dandy bottom grabbers, and a few flurries on miniature versions of our nemesis' that were promptly chunked, glory eluded us; the bastards were in the mood to eat, but not what we had to offer. The positive aspect of such an impressive showing is that there is no doubt harbored in anyone's mind. Why we are here, why were are enduring such paltry results, those questions are easily addressed by two hundred pounders flying out of the water anywhere from fifty feet to a mile all around the boat.

To that end I would be remiss to leave unmentioned the sublime beauty of the conditions we enjoyed throughout the afternoon. Giant tuna jumping and crashing everywhere were complimented by a crystal clear, crisply sharp atmosphere free of haze and obstruction. The brilliant afternoon sunlight reflected incandescent from the bright yellow second dorsal or "sickle fins", jumpers to the west were back lit spectacularly - this was a special condition, a one time epic recorded by fortunate eyes.

And another fortunate group, a handful to be exact, were gifted a memory beyond the abstract. A few of those big mokes dropped their guard late, and we were quick to make them pay. Four of five chances at jumbos were decided in our favor. The one heifer that escaped got a lucky break amazingly dislodging a couple of giant, 15/0 circle hooks. You can't win them all. But the ones we did triumph over cast a tone of success upon the whole adventure. We came, we saw, we achieved. Not exactly in proportions to satisfy everyone's yearnings, but day's targeting trophy yellowfin rarely do. Which is why they are such a coveted prize. They don't come easy; best things rarely do.

Photos today feature a couple of the chosen few. Royal Star trophy yellowfin veteran Brian Cortez set a new personal best with this 268 pound dandy. First time Royal Star angler Gary Vincent joined the exclusive cow fraternity with his first giant yellowfin, this 230 pounder.

Tim Ekstrom

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