I can't say that we have much to crow about in the way of action today as we did a lot of fishing, looked at plenty of mixed grade yellowfin tuna, but in the process stowed very little in the hatch. If it weren't for one amazingly lucky catch, I would say that it just wasn't our day. We did catch a few in the morning, and had a few other chances we did not make the most of, but the truth of it is that there wasn't a whole lot of catching to go around; especially for us as we just couldn't seem to entice one to bite, other than the lucky one, to save our lives. Of course it is all relative, that seems to be the theme I am set on this voyage, as it really doesn't take many of these trophy class yellowfin tuna to make a day good. In that respect, regardless of the limited action, the day and effort directed toward catching trophy yellowfin tuna, was well worth it. Every angler on board, if not already prior to this voyage, is now well acquainted with the demands and routine of offshore giant yellowfin tuna fishing. Typically it is not a crazy, wide open action type scenario. More often, it takes patience, effort, and perseverance to earn the big payoff.

And that leads perfectly to the big news of the day that is a ideal example of the incredible potential this fishery offers, and why it is worth the time, effort, and dedication at the rail. Veteran big tuna angler Mark Oliver was struggling with a run of uncharacteristic tough luck suffering through a couple of days with virtually zero action. With only a few hours remaining, and a "the hell with it" demeanor, he violated the cardinal rule in big fish country switching to the dreaded sixty pound tackle that has a success rate of about five percent when targeting giant yellowfin tuna in these zones. The scenario has been repeated countless times as anglers desperate to get a bite drop down in their tackle size, get a bite, almost inevitably hook the biggest, meanest bastard out there, then walk around the boat for a couple of hours before losing it in a fully predictable, sad ending.

The only real chance an angler has against a super giant when using sixty pound is if the monster runs out, dies and sinks, or becomes tail wrapped, dies and sinks. And admittedly, there is a tangible percentage of times that it does happen. Not very often though. To put it in perspective when we hook a giant on sixty, though we put forth every effort under the sun to land the beast, we, or better said, I, can't get involved emotionally because of the endless heartbreaks suffered as a result of the sixty pound curse. It is just too painful and sickening to endure. I just wait for the result and try to remain detached unless I am called upon.

Not this time. Mark was the anomaly. The one in a thousand that went out and soaked on a back up for almost one full hour, died, sank to the bottom, and was slowly winched in one crank at a time. I have to assign credit to a few products that made Mark's catch as their obvious superiority was the difference in this equation of success. Izorline - the best, strongest, toughest, most reliable monofilament for long range fishing hands down. It is all we use on Royal Star and have for more than fifteen seasons. Mark pulled on his Izor sixty like it was one hundred pound without fail. The other product I was amazed by was Mark's Accurate reel that took a dip and soaked in the ocean for over an hour before being retrieved. When we finally did hoist it back on board it performed flawlessly. No sticky drag and no sign of the abuse it endured other than the water pouring out from behind the spool sporadically.

Finally, credit where credit is due, Mark put in his time, knew he was taking a big chance, then pulled on the fish for real when he did hook it. There was no dainty tip toeing around barely pulling hoping the behemoth would give up. That just doesn't cut it when fighting giant yellowfin tuna. Mark knew it, and pulled for all he was worth maintaining the "hell with it" attitude by reefing on his gear as if it were one hundred pound test. It worked, congratulations, now all you other anglers out there don't get any ideas. This was an amazing catch, earned by a dedicated, deserving angler, that, regardless of the huge effort, falls into the category of immense luck. I believe the old saying is "I'd rather be lucky than good" Mark was both. And of course however they come, we'll gladly accept them.

So huge congratulations on the first three hundred pounder of the fall 2009 long range season go to Mark Oliver pictured here with his stocky three thirteen. Way to go!

Tim

Photo Here...