O.K.

I know the reports are long overdue, but I hope that most of you are still on board with us and anticipating this update. As I have returned, and now have daily access, consistent reporting will now follow. In review, our first ten day of the season was a success with good catch of variety topping the bill. I can not report that we "filled the boat" or slaughtered them 'till our arms turned to jello, but as the vast majority of anglers today understand, such carnage does not automatically translate into a successful trip. I will concede however that it doesn't hurt; especially when the victims are trophy tuna. Such a catch was not to be this voyage but, as reported, we ended up in good shape with a well rounded take of variety that included wahoo, yellowtail, dorado, yellowfin tuna, grouper, and even a few delicious vermillion rock fish from a couple of drifts on our final morning.

Overall the present setup down below is promising with very good indications of yellowfin in the traditional offshore areas for several days before retreating back to the deeps when the weather came up. For two full days we observed good areas of yellowfin in the forty to one hundred pound class in perfect sport fishing form with small scattered spots foraging in the company of our favorite big black dolphins (pelagic bottlenose). For the most part the majority of the spots we approached did not show much interest in our offerings, but several times a day, mostly related to a specific one or two hour period, the fish responded with enthusiasm. As a result, we were able to piece together a couple of nice days while providing everyone with a shot at good quality yellowfin for the coveted "RSW" tanks. One other note about the offshore zone that I can not verify with a specimen yet. There absolutely, positively, guaranteed are at least a couple of schools of big bruisers patrolling the area. I have seen them on both the sonar and fathometer enough to know - they are there. The question of course is when and if they are going to bite. Time will tell.
In addition to the developing sign of big tuna below, there is also fantastic sign of "ballslapper" grade dorado around. That comes to about twenty to thirty pounds for the average size man in today's world. Mixed in with the ballslappers is a smattering of wahoo that is spread across a wide area ranging from just southeast of Alijos rocks to out in front of Cabo San Lucas. Needless to say there is great potential ahead if conditions continue to develop in our favor.

In the interest of fair reporting however I must relate that there has also been some very tough fishing over the last few days after the wind came up and threw a wrench into our perfect working conditions. Such is the nature of any and all fishing vacations however and in those cases thank our lucky stars for fantastic food, fine accomodations, and good company.

Rest assured that change will occur and keep our wishes strong for those on our upcoming annual Larry Fancher ten day voyage. I have the reporting duty as the trip unfolds so as I said previously, look for consistent reports to follow during the trip. Also, huge thanks to long time Royal star veteran Jack West for providing us with some of his fantastic photos from the trip.


Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...
Photo Here...