Following the action we encountered on giant yellowfin tuna yesterday afternoon, the natural high, initiated by the intensity of the pursuit, and the adrenaline of sliding baits in the water as massive tuna explode from the water in all directions, was evident in everyone. I can tell all of you that after twenty one years of long range fishing nothing we pursue compares. The incredibly high stakes and immense challenge of this fishery set it apart from all others. Simply put, this is the apex of west coast style sport fishing.

I honestly wish a literary description could convey the ferocity, the determined violence with which these huge tuna erupt while hounding mackeral and sardines we offer in liberal quantities. Perhaps one must have a genuine fisherman's instinct to be captivated by such scenes as I am, I am not certain. But, I would venture that anyone who had the good fortune to witness such marvels would have to be mighty indifferent to miss the magic of such a stark example of nature's beauty.

All that said we got on them in the afternoon yesterday, and although they didn't bite with any kind of abandon, we managed to hook one to three big ones every time we stopped the boat from about noon through sundown. Both the size of the fish, and the incredible showing by giant yellowfin driven insane by fleeing bait fish in every direction, made for some intense times at the rail as reported above. Six over the coveted two hundred pound mark was the afternoon total including a two ninety seven, two eighty six, two sixty nine, two thirty five, and a couple of 204's. Throw in a few other dissapointing but inevitable heartbreaks on these huge, incredibly determined, perfectly designed for pulling beasts and it made for an immensely gratifying afternoon and an epic closing to a fantastic trip.

In closing for the day I want to sincerely commend this exemplary group of anglers assembled by charter master Bart Ryder who demonstrated a very fine balance between the seriousness necessary to success in the giant yellowfin tuna arena and the equally important component of a long range fishing voyage - having a good time among friends and satisfying vacation in the process. Well done men and huge congratulations to Bart who closed out the voyage with the final fish landed just after dark weighing in at 297#.

It was a picture perfect ending to the voyage that could not have been better if scripted. Now, a quick overnight run to Cabo San Lucas and our satisfied group will be on their way home or staying a couple of extra days to decompress from the fishing portion of their vacation. We will be heading up the line sometime in the late morning forging ahead for our arrival in San Diego on the 18th. I will continue the reports while traveling up the line if anything comes to mind.