Big Fish, light line…. Hefty Albacore for trip 10’s Anglers!
The question of a lot of quality over a little quantity. . 
I was watching the weather prior to departing on trip 10 and knew that the Hurricanes down in Mexico had just hit land prior to departure… Reports from the landing indicated rough seas and poor counts… Great, this was going to be a tough 1-day trip if we followed an offshore banks itinerary, and probably it would be better all around to take us down the beaches for rat yellowfin.
As I arrived at the landing I heard some encouraging news… The weather was lying down and the forecast for Saturday was for 2-4 foot swells and light winds. Boy, if we wanted to take the chance and take the 17 + myself offshore, Joel and I knew of a location where there were some reports of nice, big Albacore. I mean the good ones
like we’ve all seen in pictures from Morro Bay.
The decision to make the trek of 73 miles was a no brainer. With the quality of the anglers we had on board we were certain to get
into the fish and bring home some good pictures and large fillets.
As we boarded and got ready for departure everyone was pumped with our decision. THAT'S what we love about how many good anglers fish often with our group!
J.E.S. regulars of Rusty Alexander, Bill Holman, Bob Eades, Bill Tagallcod, and Gary Reid with his son Zack, Jim Brock joined some fresh
newcomers Suzie Underwood, Hal Hanevik, Randy Scheindele, Ron Jones and john Southard started preparing their gear in anticipation of the mornings catch.
As gray light came the Relentless cruised at 10.5 knots into the zone… In the general Ralston tradition we passed several other sporties that stopped before their true numbers on troll fish. In these conditions probably only skip jack, and NOT albacore! Joel warned us we would not be making stops on the skippies unless the sonar
showed a mark below. 
So we continued on course. As I sit in the galley having coffee with the crew ole buddy Tom Saras and his father-in-law Sing came up from their stateroom ready to go... It had been sometime since Tom and Sing had been out with us, but they knew the results from fishing with J.E.S. Sportfishing and brought their friend Jose Camacho to experience the excursion.
The water was just off color and 67.2 degrees, wind was light but there was a bit of chop. Joel stated that "the weather has come down a lot since yesterday and it is predicted to get better. Now let’s fish", as he headed off to the wheel house to start his day finding and 
corralling targeted schools.
It took a few turns and several chum lines to get the day started, but when it happened we knew it was going to be good. The first fish to come over the rail may have been the best indication of what was about to unfold… This was a 35+ longfin captured
on the 30lbs by Mr. Reid. Wow, I said thinking about setting down my 20lb outfit and turned just in time to see Sing, swing on a bait, Bill run to the bow and see my bait get boiled on in a splash off the Stern. The boat was now at 6 rods bent and running anglers…10 minutes later I
boated my first albacore, a brute like many have never seen. At least 40 pounds!
I walked over toward TunaQ and laughed as I retied my knot, "Al, this is going to be fun!", and with that threw a new 6" sardine on the fly off the stern and was picked up by the time I turned the corner. Hot rail, I yelled passing several anglers battling fish.
As I headed for the bow I knew there might be a problem. Bill was still on his fish and like me he was on his 20 pound outfit as well. As I turned to the Starboard I saw Jim Brock there was well. Oppps don’t want to get wrapped, so I went to the center of the bow and just worked it with the others… There was one moment with some
stress when Bills fish came across and wrapped twice on mine, but being aggressive and having been taught by the masters, the Crew of the Relentless, I quickly spun the rods around the tangle and we saved the fish. Lucky for us…the rest of the crew including Kelly the galley girl were gaffing fish rapidly.
As I drug my big 45+- lbs fish to the stern I thought for sure this was the JP fish. I threw it in the bag with confidence only to hear several thumps on the deck rumble through my head. Hmmm, I couldn’t believe it! There it was right in front of me. My friends, Bill and skipper Joel full of smiles and cheers of joy as Joel stood
there with the recently gaffed trophy fish that was causing "No Vote" Bill all the problems…This thing must have been close to 50lbs. Awesome!
I gave Bill my congrats and started back to the stern for my camera passing several other large fish along the way…We weren’t going to get limits, due to time restrictions, but these were the kind of tuna you only need a few of to fill the freezer. At the stern I ran into Bob Eades… His curse was back. It seems he cannot get bit after 10:00 AM. We had a laugh and both knew that he was just fine with the few he got prior to the chime of the bell.
As we slowly raced the clock to the end of our days fishing…I noticed that the rhythm had changed and people were starting to tire. At
one point some skippies came through and caused a big mess for those, including myself battling another bruiser Albacore. Once these skippies get hooked they weave in and out of the other anglers in their panic and make some great tangles… Joel got me out of one, but as the fish made one more run to the stern I found that one extra line that caused a sudden end to my battle… Ahh,
the agony of being defeated!
Trying to recover from my loss, I joined Rusty and Brad on the stern with my camera in anticipation of some good shots for the web page. It wasn’t long before I realized that the schools seemed to swim away and left us all hanging there soaking our line…Joel knew it as well and as time ran out I took some great shot of the results
of this wonderful trip.
Special mention goes out to Zackary Reid and Suzie, you're welcome to be out with us anytime… You two did an excellent job and were a lot of fun. Hal what can I say…I know you’ll be back with us because you and I fish too much alike.
As for Raffles they were awarded during our steak dinner and merlot. Seeker blanks are now being wrapped for Tom Saras, Suzie and John Southard. Kicker Jigs will be used in the future by Randy, Gary, First time hot angler Randy Schindele and Jim Brock.
Jack pot fish was none other than Bill Holman’s biggy! It was close, but with this grade of fish the scale tip fast on the level bar. Congratulations Bill… You deserve it!
Jamie Spencer
Charter Master
