03/03/12

And as the theme of change when relating tales of Clipperton is so prevalent why
should this round have been any different? It was straight big ones today; but
for a few sneaky 50 - 70 pound scouts at the front of a couple of stops, and a
few one hundred pounders, everything was 140 - 274 with the majority in the 170
- 190 pound class.

Another four over the deuce came aboard and we lamented the loss (not too much
though) of several other big bruisers. As the shift to almost all big ones again
arrived on the final fishing day, our remaining RSW tank capacity was quickly
consumed; they do not exactly stack like bricks. But, it was perfect timing.

Between the amount of pulling we have done, the extraordinary fishing, the
extraordinary sights, and the near unbelievable accomplishments many of these
anglers have achieved we had only reasons to celebrate; this was the icing on
the cake. We shut down for a few minutes mid morning to do some rearranging in
the tank, created a little additional space through a combination of brain and
brawn, then headed back up to our zone of choice to give it one last go. Of
course it was so good that that go led to another, but then that was it - maybe.

Filling the final space with four cookie cutter 160 - 180's, then releasing
about a dozen others, including one certainly over the 200 mark, we still found
ourselves in a position of incredible wealth with over two brimming full tanks
of bait.

Recognizing this as a rare opportunity to embrace, I ran outside for a finale,
encore round salting down the entire area we were working in with a ten minute
steady chum line. And in this case the results we fairly predictable; the big
ones found us, most anglers couldn't help themselves, and engaged one last time
in battle with the ridiculously spirited jumbo Clipperton yellowfin tunas. Two
more over the deuce were added to the tally and wound up being rendered down to
gallon bags in the meat freezers, five or six other 160 - 180's were released,
and that was it.

With a couple of hours to spare, beautiful weather and conditions, it was a
perfect opportunity to stop and smell the roses. Swim call was organized, the
anchor was set, and for two solid hours anglers became snorkelers, swimmers, and
revelers enjoying the magical setting of the white sand beach and swaying palms
back dropping the pure, unfettered enjoyment. Then, after one farewell pass up
and down the beautiful island lee, that was it. Sundown was the closing bell
that initiated the inevitable break to the north.

Photos today feature master angler and Royal Star favorite Doug Taylor pulling
on what became his "right at the mark" deuce on the bow, and Craig Cunneen in
classic position pulling on a good one on the stern among plenty of action in
the back ground.

Tim Ekstrom


Photo Here...

Photo Here...