This is really good fishing. So good in fact that the tireless Thai anglers, and I offer that observation in complete sincerity, began to show signs of fatigue after a morning hit for around thirty five 100 - 150# yellowfin, followed up by a couple of drifts for about thirty more 75 - 120's. After that flurry of action, that was broken up by a short visit to the local Navy base to check in, we resumed fishing to find participation affected as anglers tended to equipment, took five, or simply preferred to relax until afternoon.

And while that strategy made perfect sense, our afternoon results diverged from the pattern as we headed back to yesterday's successful big fish area to find wild, un-catchable fish; literally un-catchable as we chased spots for what felt like an eternity and never successfully closed the distance. In the end the four hour, fishless afternoon sojourn did wonders to restore angler's energy as most took advantage of the opportunity to catch a siesta in preparation for activities to come.

Recognizing that our goose was cooked about halfway through the mid afternoon tour, we pivoted with time sufficient to return to the morning's productive zone. In doing so, we made an evening of it scratching steady at a completely different grade of fish than the morning. Sixty to eighty pound yellowfin with a few standouts over one hundred filled the void created by our flyer and thankfully closed out the day on a high note.

On every additional front our good fortune is obvious. The ideal combination of conditions, weather, and scenery frame our results thus far as extraordinary. On this voyage we are joined not only by a significant group of anglers coming all the way from Thailand but a handful of other anglers calling from Brazil, Australia, and Singapore. Needless to say the fishing we have experienced has rewritten the book, and recalibrated their understanding of the definition of "good" tuna fishing. When we hit one of these spots and forty or fifty big tuna explode in the wake charging toward our stern flying out of the water, then almost every line out there simultaneously comes tight accompanied by the unmistakable pitch of spectra peeling off reels and signing through the guides, it makes quite an impression on a fisherman who has never imagined such things.

These are the occasions when I gleam at heart. The satisfaction I obtain from introducing anglers to this caliber of fishing is one my driving influences. And while I am pleased to broaden any angler's impression of what the world has to offer in the way of "good" fishing, I definitely receive an extra pang of satisfaction when experienced anglers are exposed to this "extreme" version of our passion.

So into day four we charge prepared to continue the roll we have established. If the fishing holds up to standards of the past three days we will soon be heading west. Photo of the day features Doug Taylor giving his new popping outfit a test drive. After watching the Thai and east coast anglers having such a fantastic time using the poppers and spinning outfits well matched for the challenge over the past several voyages, Doug contacted tagging veteran and now good friend Greg DeFelice to get tuned up with a new rig. True to form yesterday Doug cast into a group of 100 - 150# tuna blowing out under an advancing bird school and was rewarded with the ultimate top water experience - a massive explosion as a one hundred twenty pound tuna detonated on his stick bait. And, true to form Doug subdued the beauty in short order using the Shimano Stella and appropriate rod. If there are still any disbelievers out there they are missing the boat. This gear is incredibly effective; and good fun.

Tim Ekstrom


Photo Here...