07/05/14

Restored the faith here a bit today, not that we loaded up in any way, but we got on something we could settle into and get to work catching instead of just fishing. School size yellowfin were the quarry: 12 - 15#'s with a few standouts above and a few heels below. Not big time, barn burner, ultra long range quality, more like bread and butter fish that can be expected in warm water cycles. And make no mistake about it - this season is definitely warm, above average.

As such expectations of anglers on upcoming long range voyages should align with this reality. In no way do I believe that chances at bigger bluefin and yellowfin will not occur, this season has only begun and there is plenty of time and ground to cover out west, but one can expect to see a lot more of the school size yellowfin around than one hundred pound class buefin in upcoming weeks/months. If your sights are set on bluefin glory or bust it is probably best to recognize that "El Nino" is now in charge. Still there will be plenty of good fishing, but it is likely to be very different than the good fishing encountered offshore during the past few years.

A perfect example of the different I reference is the wahoo action encountered during this run. Definitely the exception, not the rule at this time of year, those "skinnies" landed this voyage will not be the last we see this summer season offshore. We end this voyage on a high note satisfied that we made the most of the fishing opportunities available and had a great time in the process. Epic weather made a big difference: it is impossible to make a bad day of the ocean when the weather is flat calm. But the biggest reason this voyage was successful is this veteran group of anglers that knows the score and makes the most of every setting this ocean serves.

Now onto the next run departing tomorrow with Captain Randy Toussaint at the helm and yours truly handing the mechanical responsibilities below. Photo today features another long time Royal Star veteran and favorite John Hastey with a fat, fifty five pound wahoo that became one of several he landed on this run.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...