78 white sea bass was the night's total. Throw in 25 yellowtail in the 25 - 37# class and one can say it was a good night of fishing. In fact, the sea bass score is a career high for me. 55 pounds was the largest, with a handful more stand outs in the 35 - 46 pound class, but the vast majority were 25 - 30 pound fish. A couple of handfuls of eager 12 - 20 pound fish showed up at day break, and we accommodated them with a clear conscience as well. I've got to hand it to these anglers - they were night warriors to the highest degree; nothing like biting white sea bass to bring out the inner strength.

As one could almost count on, the day following our hit on sea bass continued the roll. While intent on rooting out premium yellowtail, we continued to find vast quantities of 17 - 22# fish just about everywhere we looked. It was one of those amazing yet consistent times when the last thing you need is what you continue to find. Rest assured that if we were starving for fish we would drive around all day struggling to find a scrap. With an RSW tank wedged with perfectly cared for yellowtail it seemed as if every yellowtail in the ocean was up and eager to join their friends everywhere we searched. Like I said - it is amazing how consistent this scenario is. We'll take it.

Just before departing for our final day in the offshore grounds, we were treated to a spectacle of nature consistent in this zone. Our timing coincided with an eruption of yellowtail along about a half mile stretch of beach that exposed the terrific plight of a sardine living in this area while demonstrating the superior status of the yellowtail. From the deeps came the yellows that swept along the shoreline and drove the panicked sardines outside. After the big push it was pure mayhem. Between myriads of arguing, flying, and diving sea birds that were staged to take quick advantage, and thousands of surfacing yellowtail transforming the tranquil surface into a cratered field of shimmering scales and sardine wreckage, it was another one of those grand performances to which we had front row tickets. It was an ideal finale that topped off an epic twenty four hour fishing marathon.

Needless to say anglers hit the sack satisfied following a phenomenal RSW yellowtail presentation by Chef Drew Rivera that perfectly showcased the inherent quality of this fish. With proper bleeding, pithing, and cooling, the meat of yellowtail is near white in color, and delicate in flavor and texture. Yellowtail are superior table fare as long as they are handled correctly. With less than perfect handling the results are considerably less appealing. But, this is no revelation, and is basically true of all fish we retain.

Offshore we go as our final day will target the coveted albacore and bluefin that continue to be found in abundance, but also continue their maddening, not biting behavior. One of these days. Perhaps tomorrow will be it. There was a notable change reported by one of our colleagues. With any luck a new dawn is breaking.

Photos today feature husband and wife team Morgan and April De Wees with a morning yellowtail following an epic night run on the sea bass by Morgan who landed a limit in short order. Also, Shawn Chase with fine example of the better, 35 pound grade sea bass in the mix throughout the night. Enjoy your day and look for tomorrow's final voyage report.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...
Photo Here...