Royal Star trip 1-5

[Fishing Report]

1/01/12

Posted: 08:42:00
Happy New Year! It comes with good news from the fishing front as the boys on Royal Star are steadily scratching at quality tuna down below. It has been consistent albeit picky fishing for the bigger fish with the best of it coming their way today. Five good deuces, the best of which came in at 272, and another eighteen good ones were the sum total for the effort. Another five over the coveted mark have been part of the total score from the prior couple of days. In short, they are getting the job done with opportunity spreading well among anglers putting their time in at the rail – typical giant tuna fishing; put forth the effort and rewards will follow.

Now to address the notable void of reporting over the past six days: we are upgrading our equipment on board to send data more efficiently, new software was installed to accomplish the first stage of the changeover – it didn’t work; and still doesn’t. Additionally, the satellite signal down below on one of the systems we all use has been going haywire over the past month wreaking havoc with a number of our efforts to directly send reports. It has not affected the Iridium network, that is our chief method of data transmission, but that is also the system we attempted to upgrade. The long and short of it all is that we have been belly up on Royal Star since departure on the 26th. It will be rectified upon return.

From here forward reports will at least be updated from a home terminal as the on board information is relayed via sat phone. The guy who never rests or takes time off did exactly that over the past week. And, it was heavenly. Recharged and ready to go the daily narrative will re-commence as we begin the New Year brimming with optimism. We have much to be grateful for and more to motivate our incessant drive to advance. Meanwhile via Captain Brian Sims the weather is primo and the big fish are biting. They have a couple more shots before heading up the line tomorrow. He will report accordingly – as will I. Happy New Year again and Lets Go Fishing!


Tim Ekstrom


01/02/12

Posted: 16:58:00
Thirty one good ones reported by Capt. Brian Sims today with several more over the deuce and a number of 185 - 199’s. Good fishing was the exact term relayed as the boys enjoyed a full day of steady action at the rail in continuing calm seas. Idyllic and made to order they have one more day to dedicate to the region below before hightailing it north in possible pursuit of alternative species if the weather and timing allow it. Otherwise spirits are high as they are in fantastic position to take advantage of the remaining time with a full compliment of fired up anglers and crew ready to end the big fish phase of the voyage on a high note.

A final note of interest is the second recapture of a yellowfin tuna from the Royal Star “Revillagigedo tagging project” at liberty for over five years! Both recaptures were made in the vicinity of Clarion: one was originally tagged and released at Socorro, the second at Clarion. If nothing else the recapture positions alone provide real insight into the regional fidelity and growth patterns of yellowfin tuna in this part of the world. Speaking yesterday with Senior Scientist Kurt Schaefer from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission he related that a detailed paper with results of the study is nearing completion for publication in February or March. When the paper becomes available we plan to provide a link on our site so all interested can easily access the information. Even before publication of the results this project has already been a huge success. Rest assured we are actively pursuing any and every opportunity to continue our strong relationship with the scientific community.

Look for more from the boat tomorrow as the boys finish up and begin chugging up the line in forecast beautiful weather. Tracy is back in the office today officially beginning the New Year at Royal Star Sport fishing.


1/03/12

Posted: 17:02:00
And they end with a bang logging another 5 over the two hundred pound mark in addition to fifteen other “marginal” 120 – 195’s. In total the fishing down below was a huge success with eighteen solid deuces in the hatch, a near boatload of giant yellowfin, and a solid sprinkling of “skin”. Between the fine weather and abundant opportunity at big ones there could not be a better ending to the fishing portion of the trip. Now, with some grace from the weather gods, it should be a milk run home in forecasted flat calm for the next few days. Time will tell of course, Mother Nature has a way of producing surprises both unpleasant and pleasant, but for now the passage is lining up to be beautiful.

Any pertinent information will continue to be passed along otherwise look for reports with additional details as our beloved Royal Star heads up the line. The group on board is rightly jubilant scoring big on the fish and good timing. With indications below favoring a continuation of the present pattern, we’ll set our sights on the following voyage and beyond for continued production. 2012 has begun with the correct foot forward. Let us hope that reflects in every aspect of what is to come…

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]

01/05/12

Posted: 14:22:00
For all of you who have friends or family onboard, or those who follow the
reports regularly, we now have upgraded technology and the reports should come
in regularly for the forseeable future.

As we travel back up the line in calm winds and a gentle rolling swell, with a
beautiful catch of Yellowfin tuna and Wahoo resting in the RSW tanks, we have
time to reminisce. Fondly thinking of the battles both won and lost where our
bodies surged with adrenaline at levels known only to a select few Anglers who
put their hat in the ring and do battle from the deck of a long range boat.

Over the next few days, I'll share some of the shots of victory that could not
be shared as they happened. First time Royal Star angler Don Bobertz in addition
to handing off a 212# tuna, landed these two beauties weighing 272 and 280
respectively. There won't be any shortage of fresh fish around the Bobertz home
after our return.

P.S. I'd like to send out a special thanks to Stuart Exall, EK, Stan, Jai, and
Ming who were my incredibly generous hosts in Thailand. Thanks guys the trip was
incredible.

Brian




01/06/12

Posted: 14:48:00
Our ride up the line continues with spectacularly good weather and excellent
speed. We are all cleaned up and ready to hit the dock at 0600 tomorrow morning.
Captain Toussaint will be at the helm for our next adventure.

Anglers catching deuces this trip were:

Ethan Dahlkamp 208
Eric Dahlkamp 212
"Coach" 203,207, 218
Trevor Fulks 204, 220
Ray Ochoa 220
Jim Baker 207
Steve Busch 205
Dave Coleman 212
A.J. Burns 216, 224
Jan Abbott 243
Mike Boquet 244
Don Bobertz 272,280
Mark Fujimoto 230

Thanks guys and we'll see you all next year if not sooner.

Mike Boquet and Jan abbott get the honors today with their best of the trip.

Brian





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