8/11/12

I have been making quite a few comments on the bridge during the past week about our lack of finding a
highly productive kelp on the offshore grounds. There have been a few dandy's out here that have supplied
tons of fun, but not for us. Of course the grass is always greener; the grub on the guy's plate sitting
next to you always seems to look tastier, even though it isn't. It seems to be our nature to want what we
don't have.

In no way have we been missing out good fishing, we have been in the game and then some when it comes to
finding schools, it is more a matter of competition; a matter of knowing that if they are there for
others they are there for us, if we are proficient, or lucky, enough to find them. Admittedly I will
assign some of both to today's successful find.

We got ours today, big time, finding a "Mother Lode" kelp that supplied all but one fish of the day's
total. Seven hours of fishing time, actual time at the rail with lines in the water, was enjoyed while
drifting in perfect conditions - a little mixed swell, light wind, and zero seas. After cutting down the
initial waves of suicidal dorado and sorting through the ravenous mixed grade yellowtail, the school size
Bluefin and a few of their larger brethren settled in for an old fashioned beating; even a few handfuls
of yellowfin couldn't help joining the fray.
What a fantastic pot luck scenario. For quite a while, even after the initial flurries, the result on the
end of each angler's line was completely random. With all the different colors, sizes, and species mixed
the stern deck at a couple of junctures look like a giant candy bowl. With the hectic pace of the
catching it was all we could do to keep up during the first couple of charges.

When all was said and done, after two different visits to the thriving pelagic convention, we had enough to
deem the day a fantastic success. Now I have to find something else to gripe about. Rest assured I will,
and will satisfy that yearning as well, and the next, and the next...

Photos today feature first time youth long ranger Kyle Suezaki who made a big time of his introduction to
long range style fishing. Pictured here with Chef Drew Rivera, who swings a gaff as well as a spatula,
Kyle is all grin with one of his several school grade dorado landed among the ruckus.

Photo number two features Captain Gregg Tanji with his mom Sue and one of the many fine Bluefin she
landed one after another during both visits to boomer kelp.

Tim Ekstrom



Photo Here...

Photo Here...