"On this travel day," wrote skipper Bruce Smith aboard Shogun December 19, "There are some things I would like to bring up concerning the next couple of trips:

"Shogun does not sell ringed hooks onboard. If you would like to fish with them you will need to purchase them at your favorite tackle shop before departure.

"If you need rental equipment, make sure you notify the office, before the day of departure. Once we depart, it will be too late.

"Tackle used: The hot set up is a Seeker Black Steel XXXH 6463, Avet or Tiagra 50 or 50-wide, 135-pound or 200-pound Spectra, 175-pound or 150-pound top-shot of Soft Steel Ultra or Izorline XXX, 7/0 Super Mutu (hooks) for sardines or 8/0 Super Mutu for mackerel.

"When you fish this tackle, the odds of landing these fish start sliding back into your favor. If you go back to 30-wides and straight 100-pound line; well, you have a good chance of losing that fish of a lifetime. Come prepared."