We made a day of it enjoying the flat calm and investing a wealth of time at the rail for a barely satisfying quantity of fish; just enough to keep us in the game; just enough to counter shame. There were a few good hits to be had, and I do mean a few, but we employed an amazingly effective strategy of avoiding the best of them by a quarter mile here, a half mile there, in favor of numerous spots around that exhibited that familiar bluefin reluctance to bite; one of those days I suppose.

For whatever reason we just couldn't seem to get our feet set early and it transmitted into our results, or lack thereof, the remainder of the morning. It doesn't happen too often around here, but, despite any level of experience in one's favor, it is a given that every day of fishing will not be kind. And I have to admit that while I am all too familiar with this fact, it does little to quell my aggravation when it is my turn to suffer. And suffer I did - nothing like driving around watching the show while the screens remain blank, the back deck is quiet, and the clock hands stand still.

But as usual the agony of defeat is reserved to the bridge where comparisons are constantly made and success is probably too often measured by what is happening elsewhere. On so many occasions the narrative from the deck is bright, light, and happy - as it should be; anglers are here to unwind and enjoy their vacation; fishing results are secondary. Meanwhile the narrative topside speaks a completely different tune - as it should; we are working; applying every possible thought and effort necessary to produce the best outcome possible from the picture in front of us. Fortunately for anglers below what happens on the bridge stays on the bridge - no need to share our lows; highs of course are a different story.

That said the day ended with plenty of good times and laughter below as everyone caught a few, relished the beautiful conditions, reminisced about voyages past, and anticipated events tomorrow. While we did get a start on things today, we definitely hope to fulfill the killer instinct a little more definitively tomorrow - and beyond.

Tim Ekstrom