Angler Gary Licht, venturing his first ten day long range voyage, provided an ideal example today of what this fishery is all about. Gary's effort and results today are the reason my passion for sport fishing never dulls or sours. That's not to say I don't succumb to the occasional grouch elicited by any number of challenges compounded by crushing anxiety among anglers grinding through forty eight hours of travel before reaching our first destination. This is about the perfect description of what occurred early this morning when Gary made a zero dark thirty trip to the bridge to inquire if he could troll.

Taking a step back Gary and I have fished together on various five and six day voyages since at least 2005. Between big yellowfin at Guadalupe, yellowtail at the inside islands, and numerous bluefin and albacore offshore Gary's qualifications as an experienced long range angler are sound. He is an adept fisherman who took the next step in the long range progression toward the ultimate show.

But Gary's vast experience did little to temper the anticipation of his upcoming ten day voyage during the previous month. I fielded a few calls discussing gear and fishing with him to the point of good humor between us. The last conversation before his trip went something like this:"Hey Tim I just wanted to make sure I had my gear set up properly, or am bringing the correct tackle, etc. etc." My response was something to the effect of: "Gary, we went over all your gear twice already; your good; you are well prepared and ready for anything and everything. And if not, we have plenty of gear on board to shore up any deficiencies." Then Gary comes clean saying: "Well, I know it. The truth is I am just excited, read the reports about the good fishing the guys are having right now, and couldn't help myself from calling again."

We shared a good laugh as I told him to hang in there for the final three days before his trip departed. And of course, he called again. So one can imagine the degree of anticipation old Gary was struggling with on the second morning of travel after about four hundred miles of ocean passed under the hull without a fish coming on board. He was ready to jump out of his skin. I actually felt a little bad after sternly admonishing him to go back down below and wait until daylight to put a jig in. I was taken aback by his contagious enthusiasm for fishing. I recalled the exact same anticipation as I headed out to the albacore grounds at eleven years old unable to sleep a wink, pestering my Dad with the classic "are we there yet?" question every twenty minutes or so.

Needless to say Gary's jig did indeed hit the water the second I mustered my crew and his long morning of trolling began. He was vigilant the entire time however thrilled to be in the act of fishing whether catching or not. Undeterred by the fishless hours he remained on station through 11:30 a.m. when the fish gods finally yielded the long awaited reward. It did not come easy though. A spirited fight, somewhat atypical for wahoo, followed the strike. Under the boat, up to the bow, almost in the wheels, back to the stern, then, mercifully, drilled by Captain Sims with the gaff.

Here is Gary with his long awaited for, well deserved prize. Every once in a while I am gratefully reminded of what this fishery represents. Gary with his fifty pound wahoo did it today. Ultimately there was plenty of additional good fishing to go along with it. Steady action on school size tuna made for a fruitful afternoon. Tomorrow will again be spent in action mode looking for variety and quantity.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...