Same program today with little change to report as another full day of effort was directed towards enticing a robust quantity of big yellowfin tuna that were wholly apathetic to our cause. If anything, I would say that the tuna were even more wary today skulking around the boat when we stopped, and sliding ahead of and around us when we were in motion doing their best to prevent the boat from driving over the top of them. The bright moment of the morning was a 220# fish landed by long time Royal Star favorite Mike Noerenberg that made a spectacular explosion when it surfaced to consume Mike's perfectly presented live flyer in the early dawn. Mike's trophy yellowfin, like all the others we have landed thus far, was jugged full of what we call "box fish", which is often the kiss of death for those of us attempting to catch big tuna in these regions. For whatever reason, when the yellowfin shift into grazing mode in the deep water, they appear to almost shut down their surface feeding instincts with the exception of an occasional fish that deviates from the pattern. Needless to say this situation, being familiar to us from more than a few year's past experience, has us gravely concerned, but we are clinging to the hope that something will change for the better by the time we must throw the towel in.

At the very least, we continue to scratch away at the wahoo that seem determined to make up for some of what the tuna fishing is leaving to be desired. No matter how I frame it though, fishing at present is very tough and thank goodness this group of seasoned anglers knows the score. The only option for us at this juncture is to keep at it with grit and determination, and as there are no quitters in this group, that is our exact game plan for the next few days. There have been more than a few past trips turned around using this format, so tomorrow the battle continues.