After a the slower pace of big fish angling, and a somewhat lackluster day working up the line yesterday, what we really needed was some kind of catching on our final full day to restore angler's confidence, take up some space and fill in the cracks between jumbo tuna in the RSW tank, and stretch out our muscles with some fun, jerkin' and pullin' type action. In addition, it is always nice strategically to take full advantage of every fishing day possible by working both south and north when the set up and conditions allow for it.

With all this in mind we spent our final day in action mode finding good, steady fishing on school size fifteen to thirty pound tuna and fifteen to twenty two pound yellowtail from just after daybreak through just past sundown aside from about a two hour lull mid morning. It was just what the doctor ordered as all anglers were at the rail eagerly pulling on fish and pulling tags off their rings to identify their product that is certain to be in the finest condition imaginable coming out of our RSW tanks after only one day of travel.

As an aside I'll pass on a quick story to demonstrate the close knit atmosphere of an average Royal Star long range voyage that perfectly identifies what our operation is all about. Expectations and catching goals vary greatly between anglers on just about every voyage as well as catching results due to the multitude of variables inherent in fishing. There always seem to be those times when anglers who are more proficient, or are on a hot streak fill out their limits before others. Also, and now more often than not, many anglers are satisfied with the amount of fish they take well before their limits are reached; this happens especially when the size average of our target species is large. In any case today was a perfect example of the camaraderie between anglers that develops throughout the course of a Royal Star voyage as anglers worked together collectively to round out other anglers catches who were a little shy of the quantity they were hoping to achieve due to that long list of variables mentioned above. No one had to ask, no one had to be asked, it just happened as a matter of course as anglers who had plenty automatically volunteered their catch to the collective goal of making certain every angler on board was satisfied. This is how it should be, and this is how it is on Royal Star. I beam with pride every time I see this occur on our deck. Today was no exception.

I should also mention that I am absolutely certain that this trend is not unique to Royal Star as the vast majority of long range anglers, on all long range vessels, share this perspective. I also know that all my contemporaries that I work with out here promote a similar atmosphere on their decks. It is amazing how important, and how profound harmony on an individual and group level affects the overall outcome of a fishing voyage. Honestly, it is the number one key to success. That is why so many charters form, and so many anglers after a successful outing choose to fish with one another again. Good chemistry between a group of fisherman at sea for one, five, ten, or sixteen days is a recipe for success - regardless of the fishing.

Today's photos feature long time Royal Star veterans and well deserving angler Jim Marshall shown kneeling with his one hundred pound class yellowfin tuna, and Andy Kettley pulling on his one sixty five, and triumphant while the vanquished beast comes over the rail. Congratulations!

Tim

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