Probably everyone reading yesterday's report easily determined that I wasn't too wrought up by yesterday's lack of results; with good reason that I have spoke of before. There are those times when our fishing instincts are in sync with the grand mechanism and one can almost feel what is coming. This works both ways. Sometimes you know you are going to get punished, sometimes you know it is going to be your day, or your trip. Admittedly the sixth sense is not one hundred percent accurate. I have been surprised by an incorrect notion plenty of times. But more often than not it is dependable.

I have known the results we experienced today were coming since the first day of the trip. Not the exact details of course. But, I have had the feeling that we were lined up perfectly for the offshore zone to develop in our favor since the day we traveled down the line and saw all signs pointing in this direction. We staged our moves accordingly. And tempered our catching to be able to take full advantage of any opportunities to catch albacore and bluefin tuna we encountered while heading up the line. It worked out this time.

Don't get me wrong either. I'm not claiming super hero status for making a good catch. It happens out here all the time. Every good long range Captain out here practices the same art. It is what we do for a living. I'm simply pointing out, for those who didn't or don't know, that such incredible catches of variety, quantity, and quality, are not by accident or luck. They are almost always a result of a well executed strategy coordinated by a good fishing Captain. A huge amount of experience in these waters doesn't hurt either. This is not the first time we have seen this set up.

On this note I would encourage anyone to do their homework when considering making a long range trip. Use the information above as a measure. Your best resources are the local tackle stores like Baja Fish Gear and Fisherman's Landing tackle that employ anglers enthusiastic about fishing who are in the know. I trumpeted the merits of experience above. While I can guarantee that the results of your fishing voyage with an experienced Captain will not be the result of pure luck, I can not say the same of the results of a trip with an inexperienced Captain. Yes, sometimes luck is better than experience. We have all had our rear ends handed to us by a new comer. But, who would you rather stake the success of your voyage on? Someone who has never fished a day in these waters, or someone who has fished down here for many years?

So our final full day was akin to going to the fishing super market. Drive up, get out of the car, head inside, grab a cart, and commence walking the isles loading up as you go. Even with pacing ourselves, we were done on bluefin by about 1600 then spent the remainder of the day doing our best to avoid them exclusively targeting albacore. It was a difficult task. Almost every time we stopped the boat on albacore, the bluefin showed up again. They were very prolific, and very eager. The vast majority were 20 - 25 pounds, with a few 30's and 40's, and a few handfuls of real standouts in the 50 - 65# class. What an incredible day of offshore fishing. Add the albacore to the equation and wow. Flat calm weather didn't hurt either. Suffice to say that every angler on board is presently on cloud nine. They certainly earned it.

Our final day will be spent in prospecting mode as we are presently fat on fish and fully satisfied. When this opportunity arises we are quick to take advantage and do some looking for the rest of the fleet, and next round of trips to come. With epic weather, a huge load of fish, and time on our hands it is the obvious thing to do. So a few hours of our day will be spent in search mode then we will call it and head up the line in preparation for a 0600 arrival at Fisherman's Landing on Saturday. If any of you have every wondered about how a beautiful load of RSW fish appears Saturday is a fantastic opportunity to find out. This catch is bound to be a good as they come.

Photos today feature a couple of the "standouts" that illicit a flood of fond memories in this Captain about the unbelievable fishing for bluefin tuna we experienced in the 1990's and early 2000's. It was a sweet albeit too short trip down memory lane. These are beauties though aren't they? Long range veteran Keith Bridges and crewman Greg Tanji do the honors with Keith's 50 pound dandy. And Royal Star ex crewman now fire fighter Mike Morrison shows he still has the stuff with Capt. Sims and another fifty pound class bluefin prize. Look for tomorrow's final report and photos.

Tim

Photo Here...
Photo Here...