Now for today’s particulars: If you’ve been following you know we were fervently hoping for a back off from the wind and a decent current. We woke up this morning to a cloudless sky, a good current that ran strong all day, and zero wind. That you could be this far out in the middle of the Pacific and be grease calm all day, was astounding. We knew we were in trouble when the first beads of sweat began forming around 9 AM! Even assistance from helium balloons failed to keep the kites flying for most of the day and at times you felt like you were baking under the unrelenting sun and heat. Yes, finally you could shoot a bait straight out in nothing flat, but alas, the tuna either didn’t like the change or just took the day off.

We only managed to land 4 for the day, and sadly they were not even close to the grade we have come to expect and love. Along with the strong current came some ugly tangles since this was really the first time we had to deal with such conditions, and bait fishing techniques need to adjust a little when it starts flowing hard. Wahoo, however, were a bit more cooperative and we caught 15 skinnys by sundown.

Another reel was there for the taking, but no one came close so it will roll over. By now, everyone has caught lots of big fish and it’s no pressure fishing from here on out. Even a slow day such as this did little to dampen our elevated spirits. We’re sitting tight and hoping for a repeating current tomorrow, this time accompanied by cooperative fish. A little more breeze and clouds would be appreciated also.

Jaime has been reminding me since we left San Diego to make sure Terri knows that he of course would never forget that today is their anniversary. He wants her to know that he is forever grateful and appreciative that she let him go on the trip and her kindness is outdone only by his love for her. Good chance to score some brownie points for myself by saying “ditto” to my wife, Rachel (not the happy anniversary part).

POEM OF THE DAY

The entire episode was demeaning
And the rest of the trip was spent cleaning
When Great Whites jumped aboard
Of their own accord
It gave poop deck a whole new meaning.