After bumping and jumping our way up the line in twenty five knots of morning breeze with accompanying eight to twelve foot mixed up seas, we were preparing ourselves for the E - ticket portion of the ride into Cabo San Lucas in the standard zone about one hundred miles from the tip of Baja California. Typically the final one hundred miles is where we endure the worst of it, and with the morning stage set as it was, we were under no illusions about what mother nature had in store for us. And then, just as if someone turned off the switch, the wind began subsiding and the sea state followed, and by 1500 hrs., we found ourselves enjoying a pleasant ride albiet an occasional dramatic roll from a few residual seas. Regardless it was a welcome relief and a fitting end to another spectular, totally unique Royal Star fishing adventure.

So, for you number crunchers, the final, accurate tally of fish tagged is as follows:

Yellowfin Tuna total - 591 Yellowfin with archival tags - 65 Yellowfin over 100#'s with archivals - 45 Yellowfin over 100#'s total tagged - 350 Remaining yellowfin tuna - five to eighty pounds Wahoo - 114 Skipjack tuna with archival tags - 11 Striped marlin - 1 Sailfish - 1

When you consider the totals, divided by eighteen incredibly fortunate anglers, and factor in all the additional pulling they did battling incidentals, one can only imagine the amount of time these guys spent in action, at the rail, to their hearts content. Conservatively figured, Royal Star's holds would have been filled several times over with the amount of fish we released carrying tags this voyage. With this in mind I consider it very fortunate that we were in tagging mode as this was the perfect opportunity to thoroughly fufill our fishing urges, taking full advantage of this spectacular angling opportunity, with a worthy, well justified purpose. These anglers committed their time and hard earned resources to a fledgling idea far off the beaten path of long range sport fishing. In doing so they expressed their faith in the concept and their refined perspective on the future of fishing for yellowfin tuna and Wahoo in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Now, as members of an elite fraternity numbering twenty seven anglers total, the 2007 Revillagigedo tagging group has earned not only the incredible fishing opportunities they experienced at the Revilla's, but the respect of the sport fishing community as pioneers of the present day.

At the risk of boring readers I will sign off now with parting mention of our continued ride up from Cabo San Lucas that so far is proceeding in very good weather. All good things must come to an end however, and the forecast tells a story of difficult weather ahead. But for now were are enjoying the ride and will report again tomorrow with more thoughts on the tagging voyage as well as our progress up the line. We have many reasons to be thankful and many individuals and sponsors to thank, so look for reports to continue through our arrival in San Diego on the 28th.