The bluefin did a fine job of practicing self preservation today and thank goodness for it. The giant purse seiners have really filled in now hungrily patrolling among the sport guys all day waiting for the opportunity to mop up the fish that thankfully didn't materialize. With the weather progressing to grease calm by noon, the bluefin not up and showing is a significant deviation from their traditional behavior of traveling on the surface in such conditions. I have to admit my surprise that it didn't happen today. Before I get to too triumphant though they are not out of the woods yet. More perfect weather is in the forecast so the next few days will reveal the complete story. There does remain very good potential on these beautiful grade bluefin, most of which are in the 35 - 60# size range. We all saw them today. They are here. It is just a matter of them coming up and returning to a biting mode.

The good fishing news is that the jumbo albacore picked up the slack along with their yellowfin buddies that regularly joined the fray throughout the morning. I can't say that the albacore had any kind of suicidal disposition, but they were eager enough on a few stops for us to rack up a respectable tally. In addition, the action was steady throughout the day with regular short stops keeping us busy and on our game. Based on the morning indications, we were anticipating a big afternoon/evening push. Scattered groups of fish were showing but not biting all that good just about everywhere. This type of sign, and the historic pattern, usually favors afternoon action. But, as so often happens in fishing, they threw us a curve and never really did get with the program defying our expectations by staying in the same half hearted biting mode right to the end. So much for our attempts at divining their intentions. Once again the old saying we live by stands un challenged. "Every day I am out here I am reminded of how much I don't know". How true it is. Anyone out here who really believes otherwise, professes some superior ability, or thinks they have it all dialed in has plenty to learn. Time has proven such.

Enticed by the grease calm weather and good prospects for offshore action on mixed fish, we relocated slightly after dark in hopes of finding a fresh bunch to work on tomorrow and beyond. We have a good start in the hatch and plenty of time to continue the trend. Now we must make it happen.

Tim