2/23/12

Quite an ideal beginning as our late afternoon arrival opened the fishing
portion of the voyage with full speed action on 50 - 70 pound yellowfin tuna.
The sheer quantity of fish around prompted an old style maneuver that opened a
little slow but began building fish that became progressively more aggressive as
their cohorts arrived for the party.

Before we knew it, motivated in large part by a clearing of the tanks in
preparation for big baits, the tuna went insane with hunger driven to suicide
charges in mass right under the scuppers. Lucky for them we were in a full
release mode; aside from a few for the stew pot all were liberated, dignity
intact, to spawn the next generation.

But, the first leg of this journey was not about tuna fishing, that was a
collateral benefit, a gift if you will, in light of the real quarry. Goggle Eye,
Ojoton, Ojon, green jack, or our preferred moniker - Caballito, were the real
reason we stopped short. Without question these small jacks of legendary
reputation are just short of essential in our style of fishing around Clipperton
atoll. We have made successful outings to the atoll without them, it certainly
can be done, but any experienced Captain responsible for making a catch down
there is loathe to fish without them. Between their hearty composition,
tolerance of sea water temperatures in excess of 85 degrees, and spunky
disposition once cast into the sea towing a line and hook, they are currency at
Clipperton of immeasurable value.

So we set to the task of finding and catching the wily, unpredictable, reliably
unreliable little devils as darkness fell. In the first hour we caught half of
our goal; heaven sent, hallelujah! Then, so true to form, they disappeared -
completely gone. A little driving around however provided an explanation why. I
almost cannot believe, and couldn't if I hadn't seen it before, the amount of
tuna marauding around the shallows; undoubtedly a terrifying precinct for those
smaller bait fish to inhabit.

Three hours and five miles of driving and searching later, we again hit the
jackpot - the mother lode. In relatively short order we were loaded to the hilt;
everything crammed with the ideal bait of choice; we were finally ready to rock
for real. No excuses now - Clipperton or bust.

Photos for the day first provide some detail from the evening ripper on 50 - 70#
tuna. In the photo of this "foamer" that erupted right next to the boat, take
special note of the proximity of the rod tip and gaff reaching out in the lower
right hand corner. The second image features long time Royal Star veteran and
favorite Dr. Stuart Exall moments after he cast his "stick bait" into the middle
of the same melee. Needless to say it didn't take long. Reports from the next
couple days of travel will continue.

Tim Ekstrom



Photo Here...

Photo Here...