9th inning Eyeball near Wash. 5/30

[Magic Moment]

Left OC at 5 after a disorganized "get ready" first trip of the season. Between still recovering from another back surgery and being out of town on business, but decided we couldn't miss the great tuna bite. Got to the boat and realized half of my gear was still in storage back at home. Fortunately had plenty of bars, green machines and found one blue and black Islander. Thanks to Tim "Got Fish Too" for loaning a crimper.

Decided to pass on the BFTs and head deep for YFT. Started on the 461 lump. nothing happening so started working SW towards Washingon. Still in almost 500 fathoms had six lines go down. First fish to the boat was a nice 30 lb YFT, but the rest ended up being much smaller with only one other barely legal in the box. Decided to stick it out and we worked the same area the rest of the day. Steady pick on sublegals and a few hook pulls as well. At 11:30 three lines went down, went 3 for 3 this time on nice 30 to 35 lbers.

The bite then slowed and I announced at 2:00, pulling lines in 30 since we have a long ride home. At 2:15 the 80 on the long rigger goes down hard. No one saw the bite, but this was the Islander with a large select hoo, our only meet in the spread all day! Lines and deck cleared and we strap Aaron to the fish. 30 minutes into the fight with 22lbs of drag, the reel seat gives loose! Turned into a team effort to keep the gear in one peice. Another hour later after a very scrappy end game, we get the gaff in him. High fives all around for our first Bigeye on Magic Moment! Weighed at Sunset, 172.4 lbs. and five yft. Great day with a great crew. Thanks Richard for running the pit. Just posting one cell phone pic of a tired Aaron, but will try to add a few more later.

Pics added. Forgot to mention Aaron (the happy angler) is getting married Saturday and this was considered his bachelor party. Think you can tell by the last pic, he had more fun than going to a strip club,lol. BTW with a little coaching he actually rigged the hoo on the Islander, his first ever! I told him it is good to be a "Master Baiter" after you've been married a while.

Jim
Magic Moment 35CC

[Squidnation]

congrats on a great day! what a beautiful day to be on the ocean.

[stew]

That is the way to start your season!!!! Capt. Eric

[dstriper]

Not trying to be a smart *** but, I think that might be a big *** YFT.
It has the 2 notches in the tail and the pec. fin looks kind of short.
Did you check out the liver?

Regardless, congrats it's a nice fish.

[Thynnus]

Awesome way to start the season, I dream of catching an eyeball one day. Based on the length of the pec fins, the size of the eye, and the fact that most YFT over 170lbs will have long sickle fins I'd say its a bigeye. Either way great fish.

[On The Edge]

Nice Big Eye. When they get up close to and above 200 they can be a handfull and alot of fun.

[frankypettolina]

Great fish. definitely as bigeye- a yft that size would have huge streamer fins.

[Agitated88]

Congrats...sweet fish! Btw...no need to apologize for the "cell phone" pic, I wish my phone took pic's that well.

[Bert Rodgers]

Outstanding Jim.

Bert

[mikehalseyjr]

Excellent report and congrats on a super day. I am headed out on Friday, can't wait.

Mike Halsey