9/23/12

A little on the slow side for the opening round that actually featured a ton of action but little worthy
of a ride north at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Lots of small, 8 - 12# yellowfin with barely a couple of
handfuls of standouts in the crowd. Throw in a smattering of decent grade, sharp dressed dorado, and
continuing beautiful weather way worthy of mention, and we made a day of it; not one for the record books,
but a good day to be out on the offshore waters.

And that was it. Day one panned out as a day of fishing, a day of exploring if you will, that comes with
the territory in any fishing paradigm. While it is almost sacrilege to expect anything when it comes to
offshore fishing there is one exception: it is guaranteed that some days will produce nothing, and some
very little.

As such we take the results of day one in stride. Not in a cavalier sense by any means, but in perspective
to the big picture that still favors success. Time is on our side, our bait supply is healthy in quantity
and robust in vitality, and worthy prospects in are calling from several areas above and below. With five
fishing days remaining to get the job done this is a marathon not a sprint. My confidence is not shaken -
yet.

Photo today features East Coast angler and Royal Star veteran Brian Nielsen with one of the better grade
yellowfin culled from the masses in a stop mid morning. There are still plenty of this grade of tuna
around but seeing, and catching, is believing. As much time as these tuna are spending down deep I have to
admit that it is becoming more and more difficult to sell even myself on the idea. Time, as always, will
tell.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...