9/16/12

A bit of a slow beginning that served to do nothing other than set the stage, to build a little suspense,
as the big show, one of the best of this season, was soon to come. After dealing with the maddening
morning frustration of seeing spot after spot of Bluefin that were uncooperative, even evasive at times,
the clock struck the bewitching hour and the bottom came up.

One quick stop on a mere handful of fish spotted was an obvious trigger to Capt. Toussaint and I to keep
looking while we drifted along. All the signs of a float in the making were prime. Then, about twenty
minutes into the drift, Randy shouted a heads up from the mast that he was on them.

The pitch of his voice was enough in itself - I knew without asking that it was time to move, and quick.
Sprinting to the bridge calling to anglers to wind up their lines along the way, the start buttons were
pushed and we were mobile immediately dragging the final few who either missed the cue or figured they
would angle just a bit longer for that last one. There was a little competition in the area at the time
and we weren't going to be second fiddle on what we were looking at.

The new Caterpillar C-18's were singing along at full throttle leaving no doubt in our mind again as to
the value of the decision made earlier in the year to set the mechanical condition of Royal Star straight
with another main engine re-power. The young filly's were giving it their all literally blowing the
competition out of the water by a wide margin.

As we slid into what we dream about, what we strive to find, what we live for in excess of 300 days per
year, the result was text book, picture perfect; the ocean surface came alive with tuna crashing for
hundreds of yards and the stern deck followed suit with a full rack of bent rods.

35 - 45 pound Bluefin, a few yellowfin of the same size, and almost a couple of handfuls of albacore were
the result of our mid afternoon hit that ultimately lasted through evening. The best of it was the first
hour of full speed catching, a ripper by all standards, that had us at max capacity - on the ropes. After
that the fish settled in and we enjoyed steady action all afternoon. 126 Bluefin, 9 albacore, and 3
yellowfin were the tally with a mere handful of fish under the thirty pound mark. We have been looking
for this one for quite some time.

Flat calm conditions and expanding sign of this better grade Bluefin and yellowfin are pretty difficult
to drive away from at this stage of the voyage; actually at any time. In this case the strategy for
tomorrow is obvious. First photo of the day features long time Royal Star veteran Sam Ishida returning
from an extended hiatus to be reminded of just how good it really is with a fine "fatso" albacore.

Photo number two features a classic shot snapped off the cuff that captured yours truly in the glory of
battle. If anyone who has not fished Royal Star ever doubts the tales of our dedication to the production
of premium quality - not just the crewmen but Captains/Owners themselves, let this photo sink in. I am
right in the mix dressing out a pile of beautiful grade Bluefin in preparation for storage in the RSW
tanks. There are no Prima Donnas on this rig - we all, always, share in the fun.

Tim Ekstrom

Photo Here...

Photo Here...