Well it sure is nice to be back out and in the fray as we departed yesterday on our first fly down/ fly back voyage of the new year meeting our anglers in Cabo San Lucas on Sunday in preparation for what we hope will be ten prosperous days of fishing thereafter. For those anglers making the trip, I can thus far report that we are in fantastic shape with a primo load of sardines and a boat that is running well and obviously glad to be back out on the ocean where she belongs. Overall reports from below are to our advantage as we gather information while heading down the line and form our strategy accordingly. Daily reports will continue from today forward as we eagerly anticipate the next month of excitement on the high seas. Aside from that I will do my best to keep everyone informed and perhaps even entertained despite the fact that there is no present competition to beat up on.

To this end let me offer some good advice and maybe even some wisdom for those planning a long range voyage in upcoming years. First, carefully consider where you invest your fishing dollars as the fierce competition for the resource and anglers in long range fishing has significantly raised standards and expectations over the past few years. Listen to advice prudently and seek a variety of resources when determining which vessel you prefer to fish on. A boat is a boat. A professional, experienced crew is the difference between a highly successful and an average trip. You probably noticed that I used the word average to describe what I, or we at Royal Star, believe is insufficient. If an angler is seeking the boiler plate long range fishing trip spread out the brochures, take ten steps back, and throw the dart. If an angler is seeking the best, the essence, the pinnacle of long range fishing, do plenty of research. Your efforts will be rewarded with the experience you deserve considering the investment one makes in today's day and age. Again, plenty of research from a variety of resources. Talk to tackle shop owners, listen and call in to Let's Talk Hookup, poll your fishing friends, carefully review internet sites as there are a more than a handful of excellent resources without an agenda for those savvy enough to find them, and finally, call your vessel of choice and speak to the owner. All of those exercises, as arduous as they may seem, will lead you to the vessel that is right for you. Good Luck fishing to everyone in 2008.

Tim Ekstrom