Fish Report for 8-18-2011
Royal Star Fish Report
8-18-2011
Royal Star
And if any readers thought my comments yesterday about Captain Toussaint's ability to make it happen were in jest take special note of this episode of "Toussaint's Tales". As we rolled into Guadalupe our expectations were in line with the reality of this island during the past eight or ten days - not much fish showing; and what few fish there were had to be divided with the loathsome Guadalupe denizens - Great White Sharks. It has been a disappointing prospect on the outside at best with opportunities at the 60 - 90# Guadalupe yellowfin few and far between. Enter Captain Toussaint.
Beautiful, glassy conditions greeted our arrival as well as an obvious, very favorable condition change we traditionally seek in the zone Capt. Randy selected. It looked good. He knew it, and I knew it, but we reserved our comments to that only - that it looked good. Regardless it had that distinct feel that something had changed. I've spoken of it before. Whether it is instinctual, or comes naturally after spending so much time on the water, the fact is that there is a palpable sense to "fishy" changes in conditions, or just simply areas holding fish. I couldn't explain how it feels, or why, but I know that any genuine fisherman reading this is keenly aware of the condition.
So Capt. Toussaint sets the anchor, we settle back, and the waiting game typical of this fishery begins. And, true to Toussaint form, the conspicuously absent tuna over the past few weeks make a good showing within half an hour. For us on the bridge it was particularly noteworthy because the sonar tells no lies - there was a real deal amount of fish around us that triggered youthful enthusiasm. For anglers on deck the surface showing of 60 - 100# yellowfin tuna wrecking the tranquil sea surface in big blowouts and flying leaps the excitement level pegged the meter - in fact it blew the top right off.
Nothing serves to make anglers fish for their life like the sight of big tuna sailing from the depths in spectacular leaps mere yards away. Everyone at the rail is tuned in, in the zone, directing laser like focus to the challenge at hand. And with this kind of dedication, and plenty of fish to be had, it usually doesn't take long; this time it didn't either. It began slowly - one, then another, then two - then gained momentum and had us hopping for a couple of hours as the bigger fish steadily trickled on board. The best of it was over after a couple of hours, and it was far from material of legends, but I have exalted the relativity of success much before: fifteen 60 - 85# Guadalupe yellowfin in a couple of hours, from a total of about twenty five or thirty opportunities, was very good fishing; had it lasted longer it would have been a banner day. And wouldn't know it - no sharks; none - classic Toussaint.
Going back to the success being relative however it was a banner morning from our perspective. Actually from any perspective keeping in mind the fact that the majority of the fish were taken on 40#, short fluorocarbon top shots. There were bites to be had for those practicing patience and putting in their time. After the morning rush hour, or two hours in this case, fishing slowed and finally stopped in the afternoon. We poked and prodded in a few different zones but it was more than obvious that time of day was the key factor in today's success. That of course and Captain Toussaint's legendary ability to be in the right place at the right time and make the most of the opportunity. All I can say to this effect is that I am glad he is on our team. Man that guy is good.
Photo today features long time Royal Star veteran and master angler Tom Lawrence who rightly graces the narrative as the one who got us started with the first 60# class Guadalupe yellowfin of the morning. Brawny Blake Wasano does the lifting while a jubilant Tom revels in his victory. Look for tomorrow's final fishing report from the offshore grounds. It appears that the whole offshore picture is back on track with good scores coming from several locations. That however is a story for another day - perhaps tomorrow.
Tim Ekstrom
Photo Here...
Beautiful, glassy conditions greeted our arrival as well as an obvious, very favorable condition change we traditionally seek in the zone Capt. Randy selected. It looked good. He knew it, and I knew it, but we reserved our comments to that only - that it looked good. Regardless it had that distinct feel that something had changed. I've spoken of it before. Whether it is instinctual, or comes naturally after spending so much time on the water, the fact is that there is a palpable sense to "fishy" changes in conditions, or just simply areas holding fish. I couldn't explain how it feels, or why, but I know that any genuine fisherman reading this is keenly aware of the condition.
So Capt. Toussaint sets the anchor, we settle back, and the waiting game typical of this fishery begins. And, true to Toussaint form, the conspicuously absent tuna over the past few weeks make a good showing within half an hour. For us on the bridge it was particularly noteworthy because the sonar tells no lies - there was a real deal amount of fish around us that triggered youthful enthusiasm. For anglers on deck the surface showing of 60 - 100# yellowfin tuna wrecking the tranquil sea surface in big blowouts and flying leaps the excitement level pegged the meter - in fact it blew the top right off.
Nothing serves to make anglers fish for their life like the sight of big tuna sailing from the depths in spectacular leaps mere yards away. Everyone at the rail is tuned in, in the zone, directing laser like focus to the challenge at hand. And with this kind of dedication, and plenty of fish to be had, it usually doesn't take long; this time it didn't either. It began slowly - one, then another, then two - then gained momentum and had us hopping for a couple of hours as the bigger fish steadily trickled on board. The best of it was over after a couple of hours, and it was far from material of legends, but I have exalted the relativity of success much before: fifteen 60 - 85# Guadalupe yellowfin in a couple of hours, from a total of about twenty five or thirty opportunities, was very good fishing; had it lasted longer it would have been a banner day. And wouldn't know it - no sharks; none - classic Toussaint.
Going back to the success being relative however it was a banner morning from our perspective. Actually from any perspective keeping in mind the fact that the majority of the fish were taken on 40#, short fluorocarbon top shots. There were bites to be had for those practicing patience and putting in their time. After the morning rush hour, or two hours in this case, fishing slowed and finally stopped in the afternoon. We poked and prodded in a few different zones but it was more than obvious that time of day was the key factor in today's success. That of course and Captain Toussaint's legendary ability to be in the right place at the right time and make the most of the opportunity. All I can say to this effect is that I am glad he is on our team. Man that guy is good.
Photo today features long time Royal Star veteran and master angler Tom Lawrence who rightly graces the narrative as the one who got us started with the first 60# class Guadalupe yellowfin of the morning. Brawny Blake Wasano does the lifting while a jubilant Tom revels in his victory. Look for tomorrow's final fishing report from the offshore grounds. It appears that the whole offshore picture is back on track with good scores coming from several locations. That however is a story for another day - perhaps tomorrow.
Tim Ekstrom
Photo Here...
