The final day quickly became a salvage mission when the offshore water we sought turned cold and green. As far as tuna were concerned the ship had sailed. No mas. The best option available was thankfully nearby. We retooled and made a two hour jump to the east. 

While the quarry did not exactly fit the “long range” stereotype the enthusiasm for catching and quality certainly did. It never ceases to satisfy me. Head in to make a few drifts for beautiful coastal reds and variety cod and everyone is into it, fishing hard at the rail. When those big, brilliantly colored, incredibly delicious cods start coming over it’s game on. There’s something about that kind of fishing that brings out the kid in all of us. The long drop down; getting rattled when the sinker finds it mark; the steady thumping as the mystery prizes are hauled to the surface one crank at a time. And then the sight of all those brilliant colors as they come to the surface and are staged for the RSW tanks on deck. It’s a good time. 

I wouldn’t stake the success of an entire long range trip on it. Don’t worry Royal Star anglers I haven’t lost my lust for tuna. But for a couple of hours enterprise at the conclusion of a successful voyage loading up on delicious cods is legit fun; and is an epic variety bonus for friends and family to enjoy long after the trip ends.

Rolling up the coast in good weather the boys will most certainly be heading offshore on the upcoming three day run. It looks like those crafty Bluefin indeed showed themselves once the post full moon malaise subsided. It was expected. Let’s hope they stick around for much time to come. Photo today features a brilliant moment as we passed by the offshore islands of Mexico on our way home. Beautiful.