Fish Report for 8-20-2011
Royal Star Fish Report
8-20-2011
Royal Star
Another day comes and goes far smoother than the built up nightmare prospect of seven big long rangers turning around today suggested. Of course there was some momentary congestion in the dreaded parking lot, but plenty of friendly exchange between outgoing and incoming anglers sharing tales of success, and tips fresh from the scene, outweighed all the little nuisances associated with arriving and boarding long range vessels of choice. And, most certainly the sight of fantastic catches being unloaded and whisked off to waiting friends, family, and processors added fuel to the enthusiasm among anglers waiting to board. As a whole I would offer that practice makes perfect. And in the long range fleet there is plenty of practice working together on days like these; and it definitely shows.
The whole scene at the top of the dock was actually reminiscent of a few years back. Between the fantastic fishing taking place, an inspirational set up unfolding offshore and at the coastal islands, and plenty of smooth summer weather finally consistent in the forecast there is a sense of relief among all of us. It feels like the strangle hold we have been trying to wrest ourselves from is beginning to break. Perhaps not so much from the economic angle, but good fishing serves to medicate our psyche more than one can imagine. It shouldn't be so surprising - our love of fishing was the original inspiration, and is the reason why we are still here. Participating in a wide open bite, when the tuna are plowing through the corner, anglers are getting instant bites, and fish are coming over the rail in droves is the apex of our time offshore. Everything else is simply a waiting game; waiting, plotting, and scheming toward creating the next opportunity to get 'em - it never gets old.
On the processing end I can't say enough about the overall efficiency down at our venue Fisherman's Processing. With an experienced team of twenty five individuals working the processing line I likened the image to that of a lawn mower at the height of production this morning. I was placing whole fish on the table at one point and as fast as I could reach for another they were perfectly filleted then sent down the line for trimming and vacuum packaging. The finished product was coming off the line at a speed that absolutely could not be faster or more efficient. Co-Owner and manager Sean Sebring has done an incredible job of both assembling a fantastic team of dedicated professionals, and organizing the production to a level unmatched in quality and efficiency.
And, just so everyone considering using our same day processing understands, the time of same day turn around on your product depends on a variety of factors - the most important being the amount of product to be filleted in the shop in advance of your arrival. There are many occasions, in fact most, when anglers are on the road in an hour or two after their fish arrive at the plant - sometimes even less. But a reasonable expectation of two to as much as four hours, if there is a large amount of product in the shop from other vessels that precede your arrival, will prepare customers choosing our same day service accordingly - four hours being the maximum. Today's return was an excellent example. Fish from Royal Star, as the third boat in, arrived at Fisherman's Processing at 0830. We processed twelve same day orders, with everyone out the door and on their way by 1115. That is about as typical a scenario as I can provide. There are many times when the turn time is far less, but our ultimate goal, even on the days we are slammed, is to have all of our same day customers on their way by 1200.
One last note about Fisherman's Processing I am very excited to share is the pending arrival of our first run of premium quality canned yellowfin tuna, directly from the long range fleet. We have been working to this end for some time and soon will be proud to offer once cooked, hand packed in 8 ? oz. cans, premium grade yellowfin tuna in olive oil and spring water to all Fisherman's Processing customers. It is another option we are pleased to offer that will allow anglers to have their long range yellowfin tuna canned at $3.00 per pound. Anglers canning their tuna will receive one, 8 ? oz. can/per pound, which is a fantastic value for the premium grade of the product. Comparable "gourmet" canned product in high end markets typically retails for $5.50 to $7.00 per can. Anglers choosing to have their tuna canned by Fisherman's Processing receive actual tuna landed on San Diego long range vessels. The satisfaction of enjoying and sharing your catch with families and friends in vacuum packaged fillets, delicious smoked and jerky product, and now premium quality "gourmet" cans is entirely unique to Fisherman's Processing. We are absolutely determined to provide our customers with the finest service, finest processing facility, and most complete choice of processing options available. The addition of canning to our extensive list of options completes one more of our many goals to best serve all returning long range anglers.
To shift gears and close for the day Capt. Sims piloted Royal Star from Fisherman's Landing at 1045 ready to get back to fishing with the annual Mitch Otera group on board. Six days to get the job done, a wealth of fishing options, good weather to begin with, and motivation off the charts is a harbinger of much good to come. Look for Capt. Sims' reports to commence tomorrow and continue throughout the upcoming week. Meanwhile Captain Toussaint and I will be holding down the fort shore side tending to the processing shop and the office while perhaps slipping in a little R and R.
Photos for the day feature crewman Steve Gregonis with a classic long range fishing moment gone wrong, and longtime Royal Star veteran Gary Edwards with crewman Blake Wasano and Gary's 67 pound Guadalupe yellowfin. In the case of crewman Steve Gregonis he made the most of the moment when a smaller class reel broke from the rod leaving only the frame behind. While this is uncommon at best it does happen every once in a while. The solution, grabbing another reel, detaching the broken frame, then splicing the line and attaching the replacement to the rod, was successfully executed after Steve passed the rod and detached reel back and forth under the anchor line no less than ten times. Unfortunately, after all the fuss, and a great show of determination and experience by Steve, the fish broke the line and escaped. It was valiant effort though, and one that was sincerely appreciated by defeated, but satisfied with the effort angler Jeff Schmoll.
Tim Ekstrom
Photo Here...
Photo Here...
Photo Here...
The whole scene at the top of the dock was actually reminiscent of a few years back. Between the fantastic fishing taking place, an inspirational set up unfolding offshore and at the coastal islands, and plenty of smooth summer weather finally consistent in the forecast there is a sense of relief among all of us. It feels like the strangle hold we have been trying to wrest ourselves from is beginning to break. Perhaps not so much from the economic angle, but good fishing serves to medicate our psyche more than one can imagine. It shouldn't be so surprising - our love of fishing was the original inspiration, and is the reason why we are still here. Participating in a wide open bite, when the tuna are plowing through the corner, anglers are getting instant bites, and fish are coming over the rail in droves is the apex of our time offshore. Everything else is simply a waiting game; waiting, plotting, and scheming toward creating the next opportunity to get 'em - it never gets old.
On the processing end I can't say enough about the overall efficiency down at our venue Fisherman's Processing. With an experienced team of twenty five individuals working the processing line I likened the image to that of a lawn mower at the height of production this morning. I was placing whole fish on the table at one point and as fast as I could reach for another they were perfectly filleted then sent down the line for trimming and vacuum packaging. The finished product was coming off the line at a speed that absolutely could not be faster or more efficient. Co-Owner and manager Sean Sebring has done an incredible job of both assembling a fantastic team of dedicated professionals, and organizing the production to a level unmatched in quality and efficiency.
And, just so everyone considering using our same day processing understands, the time of same day turn around on your product depends on a variety of factors - the most important being the amount of product to be filleted in the shop in advance of your arrival. There are many occasions, in fact most, when anglers are on the road in an hour or two after their fish arrive at the plant - sometimes even less. But a reasonable expectation of two to as much as four hours, if there is a large amount of product in the shop from other vessels that precede your arrival, will prepare customers choosing our same day service accordingly - four hours being the maximum. Today's return was an excellent example. Fish from Royal Star, as the third boat in, arrived at Fisherman's Processing at 0830. We processed twelve same day orders, with everyone out the door and on their way by 1115. That is about as typical a scenario as I can provide. There are many times when the turn time is far less, but our ultimate goal, even on the days we are slammed, is to have all of our same day customers on their way by 1200.
One last note about Fisherman's Processing I am very excited to share is the pending arrival of our first run of premium quality canned yellowfin tuna, directly from the long range fleet. We have been working to this end for some time and soon will be proud to offer once cooked, hand packed in 8 ? oz. cans, premium grade yellowfin tuna in olive oil and spring water to all Fisherman's Processing customers. It is another option we are pleased to offer that will allow anglers to have their long range yellowfin tuna canned at $3.00 per pound. Anglers canning their tuna will receive one, 8 ? oz. can/per pound, which is a fantastic value for the premium grade of the product. Comparable "gourmet" canned product in high end markets typically retails for $5.50 to $7.00 per can. Anglers choosing to have their tuna canned by Fisherman's Processing receive actual tuna landed on San Diego long range vessels. The satisfaction of enjoying and sharing your catch with families and friends in vacuum packaged fillets, delicious smoked and jerky product, and now premium quality "gourmet" cans is entirely unique to Fisherman's Processing. We are absolutely determined to provide our customers with the finest service, finest processing facility, and most complete choice of processing options available. The addition of canning to our extensive list of options completes one more of our many goals to best serve all returning long range anglers.
To shift gears and close for the day Capt. Sims piloted Royal Star from Fisherman's Landing at 1045 ready to get back to fishing with the annual Mitch Otera group on board. Six days to get the job done, a wealth of fishing options, good weather to begin with, and motivation off the charts is a harbinger of much good to come. Look for Capt. Sims' reports to commence tomorrow and continue throughout the upcoming week. Meanwhile Captain Toussaint and I will be holding down the fort shore side tending to the processing shop and the office while perhaps slipping in a little R and R.
Photos for the day feature crewman Steve Gregonis with a classic long range fishing moment gone wrong, and longtime Royal Star veteran Gary Edwards with crewman Blake Wasano and Gary's 67 pound Guadalupe yellowfin. In the case of crewman Steve Gregonis he made the most of the moment when a smaller class reel broke from the rod leaving only the frame behind. While this is uncommon at best it does happen every once in a while. The solution, grabbing another reel, detaching the broken frame, then splicing the line and attaching the replacement to the rod, was successfully executed after Steve passed the rod and detached reel back and forth under the anchor line no less than ten times. Unfortunately, after all the fuss, and a great show of determination and experience by Steve, the fish broke the line and escaped. It was valiant effort though, and one that was sincerely appreciated by defeated, but satisfied with the effort angler Jeff Schmoll.
Tim Ekstrom
Photo Here...
Photo Here...
Photo Here...
