"It has been going off for weeks", said one dear friend. " I hope that It doesn't Peter out on you at the last minute!" Gosh, with friends like that who needs enemies.. 

I set my sights high as I took an earlier than usual drive to San Diego to beat the traffic. I had spoken with skipper Joel Ralston a few times during the week and he was convinced that we should have a great day, but the fish were long...85+ mile to the area that has been biting. The other thing was that if we didn't find the bite right away, it was going to be a long day! Some of you may see where this is going, a lot of pressure from the fleet could turn this bite off in an instant. 

Waking up early after a great nights sleep aboard the Relentless, I was rested and eager to see what gray light would bring... There were anglers in from Arizona and some as far as mid Mexico and Joel and I were feeling the pressure. The first set of trollers put out there jigs and before you know it Joel was asking for a chum line over the P/A! No takers......3 minutes later again he asked for a lot of chum. The fish were on the meter, but not coming to the boat. Joel announced that we were going to bring in the feathers and shut down on the mark as Joe Chait from the Pegasus called us in from his overnight spot. 

As we approached you could see breaching fish off the bow... I held steady and waited for the call from the  skipper. "CHUM LINE PLEASE, and throw it heavy"..... announced the Relentless skipper. I tossed a sardine on the 30lb string with a 3/0 circle and Wham! I was on...Fresh one to my left and it progressed over the next 30 seconds. Geeeze, this was great! We had no idea of the size, but he soon found out as those that were hooked up just took a gulp as the 40-50 LB fish started to boil on the corners... 

They were eating the heavy line and the big bait so after my first fish was landed I quickly switched to the Shimano/Tiburon TLD 30II with the 50 LB Ande for a more secure hook set! Others quickly followed my lead as Joel slid down the ladder from the wheel house with his own set up to join meat the rail.... Fresh one! Ohhhh, this was really crazy. Some of the anglers were actually resting after their first fish! These bluefin are tough, but if you don't keep throwing bait they'll go away! Big blues were all over the deck as they would not fit in the sacks and the crew was to with their incredible service to drop fish in the slammer.... I think the best example of how to describe it was when sweet little Kelly, our gallery girl for this trip tried to bag some of the fish and couldn't lift them off the deck to achieve her objective...nice! 

We kept going. Some of the angler were doing their own Daytona oval thing as circling fish dragged them around the boat deck several times before they were either agonizing with defeat or celebrating with joyous victory. This was just one of those days that people wait a lifetime for.... We weren't going to have a lot of fish, but they were going to be quality fish. After about 2 hours, the bite slowed to the breezers and anglers got the chance to rest and have some breakfast. Hmmm, oh this was good. Kelly had prepared a southern style Biscuits and gravy dish with eggs and sausage patties, Incredible! 

As I took my plate to the sink, I heard the cries of more anglers announcing their freshly inhaled bait ..... Oh as I hit the deck running I threw the 30 LB again and was immediately picked up! As I looked to my right I saw Bruce Hamous and his 8 year old, Dirk teaming up on one of the bruisers ...How great is it to take your son out for his first Albacore and windup with Bluefin  ....Thank goodness for the crew of the Relentless for their style and aggressive mannerism saving many anglers from doom. It was now 9:45AMand Joel and I spoke....we were going to take what we could from this stop and then kick it for the shed. Most of the anglers were exhausted and sitting with anticipation of sore muscle and backs. I even saw one later popping the ibuprofen as an aggressive pre-pain treatment. 

At 10:40 it was all to be had.... We were 85 miles from the dock and yes, we could have trolled and maybe started up the bite again, but why.... ? Everyone was happy, tired and got the chance to fight the great bluefin tuna! We announced our departure form the area and decide to have an appetizer lunch of smoked tuna, tomatoes, crackers and peppered salami, put an iced cold soda or beer in there for a reward and we were all styling! 

Final count was 51 Bluefin from 30-50 LB. and 3 mixed up albacore for the 19 angler on board. Jack pot fish was landed by long time J.E.S. supporter and good friend John Branum on his previously raffle won Seeker Composite CTS60H rod with little trouble... It is amazing how the right rod and reel set up can make the task look effortless. After a fabulous T-bone dinner, I drew the raffle numbers.... Kicker Jigs were awarded to John Branum, Dirk Hamous, Dean Kim and Eugenio Vettorretti of Mexico. A Mirror Lure deep diver went home with Jim Widney. J. E. S. Sportswear was raffled to winners TunaQ and Kenny Kim. The Seeker rod blanks were won by repeat anglers Gary Blalock and Bob Widney Sr with the Shimano 15/30 TLD STAR, going to his son Bob Jr.... Congratulations all...... 

In closing,  I must always thank those that make these trips possible for it is not me that is solely responsible... A big thanks to the crew of the Relentless, you are the best! BC Distributing, Seeker Rods, Kicker Jigs and CTX Mortgage, Without your support it might just be another fishing trip! 

Next J.E.S. Sportfishing trip is trip 7 on the Relentless departing Friday night August 30th from Fisherman's Landing aboard the Relentless. This trip is sold out, but call to make sure you are on the waiting list ... you never know when an angler will cancel and you get the opportunity to fill the spot and catch a fish of a lifetime.

Take care all and I will see you on the water. 
Jamie Spencer / J.E.S. Sportfishing