Fish Report for 8-18-2004

Royal Star Fish Report

8-18-2004
Royal Star

This was one of those one in a hundred days of albacore fishing where all favorable conditions came together to create a perfect scenario where the "fatsos" were up and biting and the weather was grease calm. It is a rare occasion offshore but believe it or not we were all slaying the prolific jumbo longfin clad in shorts and t-shirts sweating in the balmy, tropical like weather. This was also one of those "float" days where the true quantity of fish the ocean is holds is clearly demonstrated in seemingly endless spots of breaking fish and areas on the surface. True to form this season, we did plenty of looking at bluefin yesterday both under the boat and all around but the wily shortfin continue to defy our best efforts at catching ultimately proving that their fate has nothing to do with our luck, skill, or effort, but simply their whims.

Now we are homeward bound setting up for our next annual four day Pfishcadora with Captain Brett Rouintree making his debut at the helm. Brett is a exceptional young man who has proven his ability as chief engineer and second in command on Royal Star for the past four years. Now it is time for him to earn his stripes as Captain and the set up outside appears favorable. If you are a Royal Star fan or just a supporter of good, hardworking young men earning their opportunities in this world wish the best for Brett as I do this voyage and look for his reports to follow.