05/10/15

A marked improvement today though we've still a long way to go. A couple more shots at jumbos yielded one at 264 and an

extended period of fishing that included fair catching made it feel like we are in the game. I wouldn't rate it as

salvation, but, as I've stated many a time, success is relative. A scratch of the caliber we experienced today would add up

to a nice trip in total. Size class of the quarry is quite the mixed bag - not uncommon for this area, but noteworthy today

as a reminder to angler's planning a future voyage.

It can be real challenge to stick with the big gear when fishing is tough. In particular when many of the few fish being

landed are in a size class well below our tackle's capabilities. But dropping down in line and/or hook size in this arena

is the Cardinal sin; one that far too many angler's have paid a dear price for committing. Tempting as it may be the one

chance that a giant yellowfin tuna fisherman is angling for will almost certainly come, courtesy of Murphy's Law, if the

rule of sticking with the big gear is violated.

This was not demonstrated today; these veteran anglers are too well acquainted with the facts to make such mistakes, but

the reason why we stick to our guns and follow the rule religiously was demonstrated several times. Five baits in a row

would produce fish in the 25 - 80 pound class then one would come in at 150. And right in the mix, now four times in the

past two days, would come a giant. A disproportionate share of tough luck turned the tables against the fortunate four that

hooked the beasts, but none of them were lost to undersized tackle or rigging failures. Oddly enough in my book I count that

as a success. Sure I cuss and lament the bad luck, especially the timing of such misfortune (Mr. Murphy strikes again), but

at least the opportunities missed were no fault of our own; that scenario elicits a far different response.

The moral of the story of course is don't ever succumb to the insidious temptation to downsize your tackle when giant

yellowfin are potentially in the mix, ever; just don't do it. The risk versus reward isn't worth it. One fish in these

zones is all it takes; one fish that is a catch of a lifetime. Though this topic has been addressed by every qualified long

range Captain many times before another reminder never hurts. Your success is our goal.

Photos today feature long range legend Len Cunningham in action at the rail, and with his 264 coming through the gate. No

stranger to the pursuit, glory, and agonizing defeat inherent in fishing for giant yellowfin tuna Len has a host of

successes in his impressive dossier accumulated over many seasons. Proving that much of time and age are a frame of mind

Len handily subdued this rather spirited beast at 82 years young, then promptly re rigged and got another bait in the

water. Time at the rail equals results - a fishing maxim to live by.

Tim Ekstrom