There is nothing like a big slice of humble pie once in awhile to re adjust one's perspective. It is just part of the program in this occupation and a necessary reminder that no matter how good, confident, and/or capable one is, the law of averages dictates that you will swallow your pride on occasion. Character development I always call it. We took our shot offshore today in less than perfect weather that was workable but not much more. We found tremendous swaths of green, lifeless water and as the fishless morning led into a fishless afternoon the grim reality of the situation was weighing on us all. Throw in the fact that the big fish went off for the first and second boats of the season to visit Hurricane Bank to add a little contrast and super charge our competitive drive. Not that we could or would have been there, but regardless the tension and stress level was thick enough to cut with a knife. Suffice to say that if there is catching going on anywhere, especially catching on big yellowfin tuna, that is where we want to be. It was not a happy time on the bridge of Royal Star.

On deck however our anglers were doing just fine rolling with the punches seemingly confident that all would turn out for the better by day's end. It took until about an hour and a half from dark before we saw our first encouraging signs of life - a little bird sign, bait on the fathometer, a few jumping dorado, and an occasional striped marlin. Compared to the prior ten hours, this was a bonanza and the boys and I kicked into overdrive burning in the glasses for any and all indications of surface life. Finally, with a mere forty five minutes of daylight to work, we found the right sign and were able to go to work. A beautiful grade of thirty to thirty five pound yellowfin charged the boat in two different stops applying a therapeutic salve to our pride in the process. Most importantly, because they are the ones who really matter in this equation, all of our anglers had a great time finally enjoying the opportunity to do some catching after a long day of exercising incredible patience on deck. Thankfully we ended the day on a good note and with any luck positioned ourselves for a successful day tomorrow in the process. I wouldn't be surprised to find some bigger fish around this zone with another full day tomorrow to have at it. But, for now on this ten day adventure, we are plenty grateful for every nice fish that comes over the rail. As we say, it is all relative.

Tim Ekstrom