Posted: 17:33:00
Again, though this round was a little leaner on the trophy class yellowfin from Guadalupe, the catch unloaded stood in broad contrast with premium 70 - 90# yellowfin atop brimming totes of fat yellowtail and a few offshore tuna on their way to Fisherman's Processing. This being the final "shorter" voyage of the 2011 season I couldn't help but reflect upon the successful procession of six and seven day runs since mid July that have all featured a majority percentage of fishing time, excellent variety catches, and the coveted opportunity to target trophy class Guadalupe yellowfin.
Overall there has been a wealth of superb fishing in a lot of places making for one of the better summer/early fall seasons in some time. By adapting our schedule over the past few seasons we managed to align our voyages with any and every opportunity available creating a much broader base of fishing options for Royal Star anglers. And while there has been a ton of good variety fishing above and below we opted for the trophy yellowfin option any and every time it was viable. And our catches demonstrated that it was viable every time; thank the fish gods for that luxury.
On that note we will see if our timing aligns with the Guadalupe yellowfin this voyage as we first head south in pursuit of the quantity and variety categories before pushing west to the promised land. Good working weather is the opening theme that we hope to put to good use. Unlike the previous several voyages we are taking a long shot this time switching into straight search mode. The local offshore area has finally broken down to the point that we feel our objectives are better served by fishing for something new. We'll see if we still feel that way by day's end tomorrow.
So we push south and west taking a swing for the fence satisfied that during this time of the year, in the zones we plan to traverse, anything can happen. Tuna and dorado will be the primary target as we scan for flotsam in the forecast calm seas. Of course daily reports will follow as the annual Larry Brown six, soon to be a seven, day voyage unfolds. For the present all is well on Royal Star. All is well.
10/02/11
Posted: 14:29:00
This was one of those days when the Magellan calling was answered with a resounding thud. As it turned out we should have stuck with our morning starting point where we were catching a few fish; should've, could've, would've; that temptation over the horizon was just too much. Not that it was an extreme tragedy, or world altering event, but any good Captain can't help but review and reflect when the plan goes awry. One thing we did find was a wealth of perfect water that defied reason with it's dearth of life. Hours passed by without a kelp sighting, jig strike, or bird to turn on. And when we did finally spot the very occasional weed the majority signs of life were dreaded swarms of micro yellowtail that wreaked havoc in their suicidal zeal to climb on board. Admittedly they do very little to ignite the spark we pursue. Whenever they show we demonstrate an equal zeal to evacuate with haste.
Before I get too carried away highlighting the negatives though the reality of one slow day among five to fish is simply that. We got off to a sluggish beginning on the fishing end but enjoyed a fine day on the water in the process. Good weather, mild seas, the crisp offshore climate, and a depth of blue in the ocean calling to within made for an easy day on the water laden for vacationers with guilt free languor. More than a few naps were indulged in as the afternoon warmth and a signature Chef Drew Rivera feast combined to serenade, or club, anglers into unconsciousness.
Day's end found us sliding downwind focusing on better fishing to come. With plans to fish the coast for at least a day we're looking to jump in the saddle and get this party started. There are presently eighteen lonely tuna and a few dorado longing for company down below.
Tim Ekstrom
10/03/11
Posted: 11:21:00
One would have to use a microscope to find anything wrong with this day of fishing. Overall, for caliber of action, grade of fish, weather, climate, and atmosphere on deck - every detail that forms the picture, I can't extract a flaw. And as most of you reading this daily narrative have likely noticed my habit of nitpicking, this was a rare day of perfection. My tireless observation and attention to detail kept receiving these steady boosts as 20 - 25# yellowtail came over the rail at the perfect pace and this group of incredibly collected anglers enjoyed and appreciated every aspect of the opportunity. Each moment easily flowed into the next and ultimately diffused even my unconquerable drive to grind it out and produce.
Between the tranquility of the ocean calm, and majesty of surroundings burgeoning with vibrant spectacles so live and real, the scenic component of the day, especially the morning, was profound to the point of producing sensory overload. Becoming a central figure in an episode of "Blue Planet" while pulling on an angry yellowtail in concert with ten or fifteen fellow anglers struggling to stay on top of their opponents has a way of requiring full attention to the task at hand. However attention to incredible events occurring in such amazing contrast can not be fully diverted. In the case of this morning the spectacles were so grand they might as well have jumped up and slapped us across the face - they demanded recognition.
In particular, the Pacific White Sided Dolphins were so confidently brazen in their pursuit of fleeing sardines they would charge the hull stopping within a few feet on numerous occasions. I could easily distinguish the fine, smiling lines of their countenance as they plowed through the corner shoulder to shoulder crunching their prey. Throw in a few hundred of their cohorts, a few hundred more common dolphins, naturally a few hundred dogs, and even a handful of blue whales and one may get a hint of the panorama. Between the cacophony of sounds and amazing sights it had potential to do wonders for the soul.
In the end, as we kicked the anchor over following a signature green flash sunset reverie, all settled into a heavenly flat calm mode, relished the comfort, and melted into their stateroom havens sore and satisfied. It was a fitting note to end the day. Photo of the morning features Royal Star angler Russell Wilson savoring the moment with a wealth of life in the background. It's a fine world we find ourselves in. Subtract cell phones, televisions, computers, video games, social media, and perpetual depressing news of current events and it actually feels like it. Such is the beauty of long range fishing - catharsis in so many ways.
Posted: 10:56:00
Quite the array of conditions today as dawn broke to reveal an arriving weather change. Far from extreme and/or cause for concern it did offer the promise of a dramatic shift from our heavenly flat calm that needless to say is very easy to get used to. Regardless we set to fulfilling the objective again and didn't take long to accomplish our production goals. By far the highlight of the morning occurred during a long drift when a marauding school of 20 - 25# yellows pushed a bait ball right into our drift track. Watching the whole set up that began with the typical precursor birds obviously tracking in our direction, it was one of those rare occasions of sweet suspense when the outcome of the fish erupting on us was inevitable; all we had to do was sit and wait for it to happen.
The best part about it was the complete lack of anxious anticipation as we were already loaded up on yellows; we were far more interested in enjoying the show than catching the mind boggling quantity of yellowtail plowing up the surface around us for at least a quarter mile in every direction. Again classic long range fishing. Twenty to twenty five pound yellows in an abundance believable only to the eye amidst a setting frozen in time - it could have been a hundred years ago and would probably have appeared the same. I never cease to be amazed by this fishery. There is nothing on the planet that compares.
So as we enjoyed another personal "Blue Planet" feature we found ourselves in the unique position of gaining a little extra time to adlib around the coast before heading west for the ultimate showdown. The enthusiasm for a shot at some real deal kelp bass fishing was prevalent enough among these anglers to warrant a classic butted up to the weeds anchor job that produced a scenic spectacle, and good lunker calico action, that was as memorable to many anglers as the yellowtail fishing itself. It was a perfect interlude before battening down the hatches and heading for the outside.
To our delight however the coming bumpy weather decreased rather than increased; the wind diminished, and by evening was close enough to calm to call it that; even I was surprised by how serene conditions became. I have to say there is nothing quite like bracing for an unpleasant ride, preparing for the worst, then having the ocean go calm instead. We'll take it; lord knows there have been plenty of times when the opposite occurred.
Tomorrow promises the big show down as "The Crucible" beckons with its vast potential for triumph and tears. We are prepared to serve up an irresistible banquet if the tuna are willing - and I reckon if the sharks are willing too. But, with a little good favor, we'll dodge the beasts and wind up with a winning hand. Photos today feature long range veterans Nona and Norin Grancell with crewman Blake Wasano and Nona's chunky Calico Bass, and Royal Star veteran Andrew Tang pulling on a mid morning yellow at home amidst the fray.
Tim Ekstrom
10/05/11
Posted: 15:02:00
There was a brilliance of color today; a distinct radiance of light and contrast that made every image scream in colors rich, crisp, and real. And, being Guadalupe, everything was huge; the scale of perspective in this Jurassic coliseum of giants is unchallenged. The vision is not that of a sole romantic idealist either - from whatever realm of thought one navigates the stark proportions of this island, the magnitude of thought invoking natural beauty, strikes a primal chord - in varying degrees of course.
This morning though, wow! It was absolutely impossible to not take at least a moment of pause in pure appreciation of the surroundings; such a call could not be ignored. The crisp, richness of colors combined with another heaven sent spell of flat calm was magic. The stage was set; the gauntlet was paved in gold; the opportunity at trophy yellowfin we set in motion from the beginning of the voyage would be graced with the most perfect conditions imaginable. The ocean's little gifts stand in such proportion out here. With a penchant for sowing challenge the vast majority of the time the favorable offerings are to be snapped up, coveted, and savored. So many analogies supporting this idea come to mind I could probably spend several hours penning serious and humorous versions. I'll save them for when the time comes.
And the fishing was thankfully at least up to expectations. Mind you in this case our expectations were consistent with the pattern out here over the past month or so. We didn't have visions of grandeur or illusions about the potential. We were well prepared for a scratch scenario where every single opportunity, if there was to be any, was made good on. Between the unsavory behemoth local hooligans, shifty, inconsistent conditions, and an overall lacking significant quantity of fish, nothing has come easy in the way of fishing really since late July.
By the noon hour it appeared that we were well on track to suffer the fate of most others during the past week as scant sign at best, despite good conditions, was the result of our dogged searching. Never being one deterred by adversity however the anchor was more akin to a yo-yo as spot after spot was exhausted in fruitless efforts. By 1330 hrs. one single tuna was the result of our trials. But, as the methodical check off process progressed into the afternoon we finally struck upon what we favored in the way of conditions. It was immediately obvious. And, just like the book says it should be, there they were. As we came loaded for bear with plenty to share we were extremely generous broadcasting the bounty of our offerings far and wide. The response, especially pronounced in the continuing flat calm, was incredibly convincing.
Sixty to one hundred pound yellowfin tuna erupted in furious commotions ripping the tranquility from the calm spell. It was as if an incoming round of cannon balls struck as everywhere anglers focused one, two, or three violent eruptions broke the surface in cascades of flying spray and an unmistakable violence of sound. It was game on - almost. For certain the results did not nearly match the incredible show that was practically worth the price of admission alone. Regardless we managed to scratch out ten of the dandies before they settled into the familiar behavior of continuing to cream countless fleeing baits in mouth watering explosions maddeningly close to the boat, but refusing to fall victim to our choicest offerings.
So, following a couple of hours of steady scratching keeping one or two fish on the line, we passed the remainder of the day being taunted and tantalized focusing our best fishing techniques for only few more bites. And, speaking of a few bites, almost unbelievably we spent a full four hours affixed to the bottom before one of our many nemesis' finally arrived to mete out the usual misery on only one of our hooked tuna - another miracle gift to add to the growing list during this fantastic voyage.
All things taken into consideration we depart for our final day offshore fully satisfied with our goals met thus far. We have enjoyed fortune enough to know better than to ask for more. If it comes our way however we will be happy to accommodate the opportunity. On the weather front it appears that we may have finally reached the end of our good fortune. Tomorrow promises to be a little sloppy as we finish up on the offshore grounds. We'll see how it factors into our overall plan. Needless to say with a good catch already in the hatch our effort tomorrow will be affected by the grade of the sea state. There are those times when we take the opportunity to heed the obvious call.
Photo of the day features Royal Star veteran Bob Remeika and Blake with Bob's seventy pound Guadalupe prize. Take in the whole picture and it is easy to understand why the mystique of this island calls.
Tim Ekstrom
10/06/11
Posted: 14:32:00
A sole offshore yellowfin spared us the malodorous shame of a final day skunk. It was a small consolation that if nothing else supplied a humorous tidbit to an obviously lack luster fishing conclusion. But in all honesty it had no real effect on morale. The weather was up, our catch was already in the hatch, and the unanimous sentiment was in favor of getting the hell out while the getting was still relatively good. So we did.
Leaving little more than a fishless morning behind we flew the coop mid morning straight lining for a sweet island refuge. When the fishing falls short we rely heavily on our closers to end the voyage on a strong, memorable note. In the flat calm of a lake like anchorage I must say that the dream team of Chef's Drew Rivera and Jeffery Grant buttressed our best efforts with a signature showing. Prime rib is just prime rib - until one has enjoyed it prepared by either Jeff or Drew. Combined with a variety selection of fine California reds, and the instant gratification of a slightly rolly ride becoming grease calm, the closing atmosphere was relaxed and festive as anglers reveled in the moment, and memories past. In light of the circumstances I could not have crafted a more gratifying final evening.
With a catch perhaps slightly lacking in the variety category we still nailed the best of what was available during this round. Between the caliber and quantity of coastal yellowtail action, a few handfuls of offshore tuna, beautiful weather supplied by Mother Earth and the island lee's, and the topper of a real shot at trophy, Guadalupe yellowfin tuna our satisfaction with the results is well earned. For a six day voyage at this time of year we head in as winners in every respect.
Photo of the day features long time Royal Star veteran Gary Bobay in action a few days back. On a closing note our gratitude to charter master Larry Brown who holds the title of the most attentive, colorful group leader/coordinator we share our schedule with. It is a sincere pleasure to fish with an individual as passionate about fishing, and our fishery, as Larry is. Obviously near and dear to his heart Larry's efforts to advance the long range opportunity to anglers novice and veteran are sincere, and do not go un-noticed.
We will be tying up Royal Star through next Wednesday to pay attention to a few mechanical and cosmetic odds and ends before commencing our full fall schedule of ten through twelve day voyages. While tending to the apple of our eye I will continue to send at least a few daily updates and definitely a handful of photos from voyages past. Enjoy the upcoming weekend and look for more dialogue to come.
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