It has now come to that time of the season when plying the southern zones for at least a day or two is a near obligatory commitment on a ten or eleven day voyage; that is if one wishes to make catch on better size tuna. Needless to say we fall into that category, always. In fine working conditions and high spirits we began our day plying familiar haunts in search of a beginning to the 2011 "local banks" season. Even a hint in the early phase would provide fuel for optimistic speculation. However it was not meant to be.

We were handed a poignant disappointment relatively early that spoke volumes of the overall potential in the zone we were working. In short we found the most perfect sign one could ever imagine in the form of a huge area of tightly bunched, easy going dolphins that welcomed our attempts to search and fish among them. In perfect weather, perfect water conditions, and the perfect zone for this time of year we caught zero - almost no indication of tuna, and no inclination to cooperate from what few we did see. Whether the spot of dolphins we worked were recently sterilized of tuna by the industrial purse seine fleet, or there are simply no fish in this zone yet for them to buddy up with, the result for us was the same; my gut speaks to the latter - they have yet to arrive.

On the positive side the lack of sign made a snap decision to evacuate easy to follow without a second thought. If we were to salvage the day it was time to go, with haste. Fast forward a few hours and a new ocean greeted us with miles of life. It was a scenario we are well familiar with from many times past. And though we already had a good start on our dorado quota in the premium "RSW" tanks we could not pass these by.

"Ball slappers" is a classification assigned to twenty to thirty pound dorado with good reason. In our colorful system of descriptions out here there are basically three categories of dorado: "knee slappers", "ball slappers", and "chin slappers"; with "chin slappers" being the most coveted. The term originated from many occasions when crew men, or even unsuspecting anglers, are dealt a authoritative blow below the belt from a wildly out of control dorado flapping on deck. Even the best of crewmembers, which mine most certainly are, are hard pressed to prevent the inevitable during heavy dorado action. The big, flapping incarnations of the devil are absolutely impossible to get a hold of all of the time. Of course the comedy during these scenarios is rich as can be, especially when someone takes a shot that drops them to their knees. No sympathy here, and all in good humor; ball slappers are such labeled for good reason. A couple more individuals were enlightened to this fact today.

The afternoon was graced with excellent fishing for straight "ball slappers", every one of which was worthy of an appreciative moment. Between the aerial acrobatics and muscle straining effort required to land this larger class fish it made for a great, day salvaging reward. Throw in a few marlin, huge amounts of life, great working weather, and tremendous scenery and the day closed on a high note; no tuna but something, and that something was worthy in every respect. We were glad for it.

Photo of the day features long time Royal Star veteran Paul Kelleher with a stock version of dorado grade encountered. Tomorrow will be dedicated to a final pursuit of tuna before the return northerly trek begins.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...