Following today's action packed ridge experience we are compelled to broaden the variety list to include bluefin tuna. Who would have expected steady fishing for twenty five pound bluefin on the ridge at this time of the year? Combined with a fat and sassy school of 18 - 25# eager yellowtail the morning pot luck action was dynamic, rich, and incredibly rewarding. As one can imagine this patient group of anglers, the majority of whom sweated out the first two days less any catching satisfaction, kicked into high gear steadily settling the score putting yellowtail and bluefin tuna aboard.

So completes another chapter for the long range archives that is unlimited in the potential for surprise. There are no two voyages alike. Certainly there can be detailed similarities, but from experience one learns that this ocean is never content to remain the same or dormant. I've used the quote from one of my cherished mentors Herb Gale before. He was fond of a saying passed to him from an old fishing icon who regularly said "every day I am out here I am reminded of how much I don't know." I'd say today's fifty nice bluefin on Uncle Sam Bank, in the middle of October, provide a pretty solid example of this notion.

Needless to say a morning of non-stop action that continued into mid afternoon did wonders to restore spirits and remind all of the joy of fishing and catching. For about five hours there was no letting up as nearly every bait or jig cast resulted in something on the end of the line. Between the caliber of fishing and minimal sorting through smaller, release size undesirables it was a game changer in all respects. Now we are positioned to settle in and again narrow our focus. But before we go screaming off in search of glory we intend to take another swing at these bluefin. Though the likelihood of it happening may be akin to lightning striking the same place twice there are many old fables to support this strategy.

Photo today features long range and Royal Star veteran Eunice Chisholm who was on fire throughout the morning on the twenty five pound class Bluefin. Weeding through the yellowtail landing bluefin one after another she set the pace for quite awhile. Here is Eunice with Chief Engineer Sean Bickel and an average size bluefin landed today.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...