Royal Star 6 day report 8-4

[Fishing Report]

8/04/11

Posted: 12:36:00
A lightening quick turn and we're back at it pushing south on the first annual Tom Walker six day. Although it appears we will still be slugging it out with unfavorable offshore conditions for at least a few more days the encouraging news is better sign of fish in many zones above the islands. Quality offshore yellowtail, a sprinkling of yellowfin tuna, and even a random albacore or two indicate that things may finally be shaping up to provide some much longed for consistency in these zones. Throw in some good working weather and the picture will really improve.

Regardless we'll be tossing our hat in the pool joining the search tomorrow and beyond. With a few days to get the job done we are looking to mix it up focusing on quality and quantity. One side note to add is that Tracy informed me of three openings that just came available on the 1 1/2 day departing on Friday August 12th returning Sunday August 14th. The offshore fishing being what it is, and another eight days to continue developing, bodes well for the time frame of this short, "mini" long range voyage. I suspect the three remaining spots will fill quickly so please call Tracy or Brian in the office if you would like to join us. Meanwhile look for reports from this voyage to continue.

Tim Ekstrom

8/05/11

Posted: 11:40:00
A smattering of fish wrenched from a reluctant ocean featuring far more white on the surface the majority of the day than blue. In fact there was no blue at all as the slate gray, silver blend reflected oppressive overcast skies shedding pitiful light to aid our looking; tough working conditions to say the least. Throw in the bizarre effect of impressive south swell sets creating confused, standing seas colliding with opposing twenty to twenty five knot winds and the setting presented an even greater form of challenge for the boys up top looking.

Despite the unkind conditions production on kelps was admirable; unfortunately production on fish was not. A few here and a few there was all they were worth as mostly bits and pieces, busted up by the sloppy conditions, were to be found. It was a lack luster day by any measure, but it needed to be done. As important as offshore production is to our overall success we have to find them by looking, nothing ventured nothing gained.

Following a long, full day battling an unyielding ***** of an ocean we had our fill - for now. We appear to have hit another one of those expected junctures when nothing comes easy. So be it. Though we never look for it, or look forward to it, we are always up and ready for a good scrap. At present we are well armed with a primo load of bait and anglers. First we'll try a change of venue; that alone will produce a few smiles. Throw a few fish in the mix and we'll be riding high; nothing to it.

Tim Ekstrom

08/06/11

Posted: 09:41:00
After a tumultuous couple of days at Guadalupe due to the short lived, but towering south swell from Hurricane Eugene, the island was back on track today. Remnants of the green water plumes and abundant bits of sea grass and kelp floating were the only indications of the fishless mess this place represented only one day prior. Fortunately for us timing favored our arrival that we postponed for a day after receiving news of the jacked up conditions from our unfortunate colleague on the grounds. More fortunate however is that the island cleaned itself up in such short order; it could just have easily gone the opposite direction.

On the fishing front it was a game of odds. The good news is that there were fish to catch. The bad news was the mine field through which every tuna had to run blindfolded and hamstrung. Whitey was on it today; and when they are coming at a pace of one or two at a time, the pain of attrition is exacerbated tenfold. Thankfully it wasn't hopeless, we have lived that nightmare enough times to know the difference, but the gauntlet was always harrowing, and too often heartbreaking for anglers fortunate enough to hook these tuna, as the behemoths indifferently meted out injustice with impunity.

It is an unavoidable feature at this island when the fish are in the shallows that is only overcome by sheer numbers; and also by tilting the odd in one's favor by using correct tackle for the occasion. Needless to say when the big man is around it is no time to be pitting one's ability against one of these tuna with ultra light equipment - that is a equation with an outcome guaranteed. But even when everything is perfect, no matter what angler on the upper end of the line is using or doing, the odds are equally certain to administer some punishment. The only way to overcome is to overcome; or overwhelm. No amount of moping or self pity will affect the inevitable. It is simply a matter of hooking enough to get your share.

So we traded blows with the calculating beasts coming out slightly ahead with our twenty nice tuna and ten yellows for the day. As the day progressed conditions steadily improved with the absolutely relentless breeze of the past ten days finally abating, the current flowing, and much of the tuna missing during the past week finally showing themselves again. It made for some promising thoughts about the potential tomorrow and beyond; but only thoughts, not expectations. I have fished this island too many times and had the rug pulled from under me to know better. One day at a time. Conditions are right, signs are around, time is still somewhat in our favor, and these anglers are filled with enthusiasm for targeting 50 - 90# yellowfin tuna. We are hoping they still feel the same following tomorrow.

Photos for the day feature master anglers Nanette Smith and Jack Bair each with one of their several Guadalupe yellowfin landed today. Both being long time long range veterans Nanette and Jack are making their first Royal Star voyage to our delight. The opportunity to demonstrate the difference in our fish handling to veteran anglers, the resulting quality of our product, and the overall differences in our operation is a benefit we always appreciate.

Tim Ekstrom







08/07/11

Posted: 10:06:00
Being so familiar with the dynamics of this island something called yesterday when we were looking at a transformed setting on the obvious upswing. Though it appeared right, and the fishing results demonstrated such, it was a little too good to be true. This place is so adept at running one ragged through every form of condition change imaginable that there really is no unexpected surprise; on both ends of the spectrum.

Day two at the island began in the signature gorgeous conditions this gigantic haven is so well known for. Calm seas, beauty pronounced, perfect conditions following the usual morning slow start - all things were in order for the day to unfold in the positive. The morning came and went and we waited, and we waited, and we waited. Conditions were perfect, ideal - current, water color - absolutely classic Guadalupe; exactly what we were hoping for; with these conditions it was going to game on at any time. Right.

In true Guadalupe form it didn't happen. I can't even tell you how many times we have experienced this exact scenario. As it turned out the majority of the fish appeared to have moved - appeared to; there's really no telling. Regardless, it really didn't matter; they were not biting devils today; all show and no go. If we were counting individual fish crashing around the boat, or spots of jumpers, it would be limits all around. Despite the very good showing, and the tremendous effort this group of veterans dedicated at the rail the entire day, a meager amount of tuna were coaxed to their demise. For whatever reason, despite absolutely perfect conditions, they shifted into a completely different mode today; not biting.

Perhaps they were waiting for the evening to finally get with the program. If so we'll never know. One can endure such grief for only so long before the obvious overwhelms even the staunchest obstinacy. Regardless of the amount of fish we were seeing it was time to go. The encouraging aspect one can take to the bank is that there is a wealth of big tuna at Guadalupe that will come around to the biting mode again. The robust quantity of tuna around the island continues to expand. Rest assured that there are plenty of good surprises in store; timing is everything.

Photo for the day features long time Royal Star veteran Ted Gustin with a fine Guadalupe prize. One or two of these makes it all worth it; especially after being correctly handled and stored in our RSW tanks. This yellowfin weighed in at around seventy five pounds of swimming gold; in every respect.

Tim Ekstrom

..

Royal Star Sportfishing
2838 Garrison Street
San Diego, Ca. 92106
(619) 224-4764
(619) 224-4423 Fax
rs@royalstarsportfishing.com
http://www.royalstarsportfishing.com

[Fishing Report]

08/08/11

Posted: 09:35:00
To the delight of the rare sniveler who whines about, but ironically still reads, my daily narrative containing excessive detail about the broader aspects of offshore fishing, today's piece is abridged by necessity. Somehow in the heat of battle today I managed to rack up my writing hand relegating me to one handed chicken pecking to get the job done. But have no concern; I'm a quick healer; and have difficulty containing the insufferable condition of wanting to share my perspective of this world beyond simple dead fish, hooks, and lines.

It's too bad today in particular because there were epic details, namely gigantic balls of day time squid being harried and mauled by yellowtail and sea lions, that readily supplemented our bait supply with an unending supply of fresh, live "soft bait"; that part was cool enough in itself. Throw in a full day of steady angling for quality yellowtail, a few exotics, and pristine, flat calm island lee conditions and the result was exactly as it should have been. Happily satisfied, we ended the day working offshore pushing for a final half day offshore in search of perhaps a few more tuna and variety in the form of dorado.

From reports on the outside things are definitely shaping up offshore right on schedule. Full moon coming, good weather in the forecast, and some good stops on 15 - 25# yellowfin tuna yesterday late, in addition to steady yellowtail and dorado action on kelps, indicate that the vanguards are finally being shored by reinforcements. Looks like it is time to jump on a 1 1/2 day if you have been waiting.

Photo today features long time Royal Star angler Eddie Garratt and Captain Gregg Tanji with Eddie's late afternoon surprise. While fishing for yellowtail with the yo-yo iron Eddie picked off this beautiful, twenty six pound "Butt" that was obviously among the thousands of sub surface predators to pull up a chair for the squid banquet. Needless to say, after a full day in the primo "RSW" tank, this big butt will provide quite the banquet himself. And what do you know, after typing this report my hand feels better already. Look for tomorrow's report with plenty of details.

Tim Ekstrom



08/09/11

Posted: 07:55:00
And to throw the final incentive at everyone we took the effort to extreme lengths today. Unexpected perhaps, but to none of our surprise, the first jig stop on school size yellowfin tuna was followed by the coveted opportunity every summer long range angler likely dreams of in this day and age. As we pushed into the area it had an old familiar feeling. In fact I turned to my right hand man Chief Engineer Sean Bickel, who also possesses a set of eyes of uncommon ability, and made a comment to the effect of how fishy it felt. The set up was ideal for offshore fish; water structure, weather, waxing moon - perfect for... Bluefin!

Sean actually made the call. Following my comment that we were going to find something good, like a big kelp loaded with yellowfin, yellowtail, and dorado, Sean said that we were going to find a big sonar school. Not ten minutes later there it was. And it was a signature I am so familiar with from the past. A couple of sweeps and I let anglers know over the P.A. that it was a school of bluefin.

Being the final day, and that we were absolutely loaded with bait, including about fifty scoops of live squid from yesterday's show, we didn't hold back. It was make or break from an opportunity that very well could have been unique to us in light of this season's examples so far. The response was immediate and impressive. Thirty to forty pound bluefin came flying out of the water everywhere blowing out on sardines and squid liberally broadcast by crewman Blake Wasano. The best part was that this time, contrary to the frustrating, not biting pattern these bluefin have been torturing us with on so many occasions this season, they acted right; just like you want them to is how I described it to my colleagues in the area.

When all was done we ended with 38 of the offshore bluefin from what became a classic bluefin "plunker" following the initial rush. About a dozen were fifty five to seventy pounds, the remainder were thirty to forty, and a few jumbos in the estimated one hundred pound or larger class smoked us on our forty pound outfits. One heart breaker lost a mere four or five feet from it's demise confirmed this size estimate.

While we were drifting along there were several features I mentioned to my colleagues indicating that there were plenty more around than what we found. True to form, within an hour or two just about every vessel around was drifting on bluefin. Some very good scores were reported following our departure from the area on our final day. I mentioned yesterday that it was time to consider a 1 1/2 day with zero prior knowledge of what was to occur. The combination of flat calm seas, good indications that offshore fishing was on the upswing, and the waxing moon was convincing enough. This final piece is over the top.

So much so that we scheduled another 1 1/2 day impromptu departing Wednesday the 10th returning Friday the 12th. I know all of you read my occasional comments about it being time to go, the set up being perfect, etc. etc. If this doesn't convince you nothing will. There is presently no way to swing the odds in one's favor better that the overall set up right now. Yesterday while traveling toward home listening to reports on the radio of my colleagues clobbering bluefin, yellowfin, yellowtail, and dorado I was sick at the thought of missing one day of the upcoming four. It is going to be good. Flat calm weather is forecast for at least four more days. If you are waiting to go now is the time. Call the landing or the Royal Star office to jump on the trip leaving Wednesday or Friday. I am charged up by what I see offshore. Everything we have been waiting for is finally aligning in our favor.

Photos for the day feature two fine examples of what is in store for those jumping on a trip. Long time veterans Willy Cloyes and Dave Patterson (with crewman Paul Caramayo) are both rightly ecstatic with their fifty pound class bluefin landed during our morning foray on the grounds. Come on out and get in on this action; trust my instincts - the time has arrived.

Tim Ekstrom





08/10/11

Posted: 14:09:00
As a follow up to yesterday’s report regarding our addition of another 1 ½ day to stay on the offshore trend of good tuna fishing, I am pleased to report that the impromptu voyage did indeed fill up with twenty four anglers who were rewarded big time according to the conversation I just had with Capt. Randy Toussaint on the grounds. He will post a full report from Royal Star tomorrow but I had to share the good news that they loaded up first thing in the morning with a stop producing over 100 bluefin and yellowfin tuna mixed, and twenty some odd dorado that joined the party as they drifted along. What a result for a last minute trip that came together because anglers looked at all the information and jumped at the opportunity. I can’t tell you how pleased we are; and their day is far from over yet.

On a second note now that I am back on the beach I am going to pester readers with the last proud father photo from the prior Guadalupe voyage when my six year old son Duke joined us. During that voyage I posted a short tale of Duke’s fishing gear extending appropriate accolades to Bob Ramirez of Ram Rods and Justin Poe and the entire team at Shimano. Today’s photo takes it one step further. Duke and I teamed up to subdue this 90# Guadalupe yellowfin using the same outfit. Ninety pounds and this reel, the amazing Shimano Trinidad 14A, didn’t even flinch. I know I have beat the incredible attributes of this reel into the ground but I am so taken by its capabilities and features I can’t help it. Numerous yellowtail, several yellowfin over 60 pounds, and a handful of 30 – 50# Bluefin subdued by my hand using this reel are more than enough to validate my enthusiasm.

Anyhow in addition to my sentiments for the Trinidad 14A I was so taken by this photo I had to share it with all Royal Star supporters. This image moves me to the point of almost welling up. To have my boy out there with me sharing in these experiences is beyond description; it’s a dream come true. Here is Duke with yours truly, a hearty ninety pound Guadalupe yellowfin, and the coveted rig that will follow Duke for many years producing countless memories to come. Thanks again to Bob and Shimano for making it happen.

Tim Ekstrom




Royal Star Sportfishing
2838 Garrison Street
San Diego, Ca. 92106
(619) 224-4764
(619) 224-4423 Fax
rs@royalstarsportfishing.com
http://www.royalstarsportfishing.com