I had the good fortune to be charter master on the Independence for the first trip of the 2013 summer season.

Good fortune is an understatement when describing this major event in my lifetime of fishing. Before I left the docks I had told people I would like to finally break through the 60-pound barrier on Bluefin tuna. Along with almost everyone else on this epic trip I shattered the record for my previous personal-best Bluefin.

On the trip down I happened to walk into the wheelhouse as the captain of the Angler was telling captain, Jeff Dubois, our timing was perfect, that we indeed had grasped the “golden horse shoe”. We were told about a concentration of large Bluefin swimming in flat calm seas.

So much for sleep this night; as I near my 72^nd birthday I still have trouble sleeping the night before any fishing trip. Now the die was cast, this night would be filled with visions of crashing Bluefin and screaming reels.

About 10 AM the next morning we were told by Captain Jeff we had arrived in the “Bluefin zone”. A fact evidenced by aircraft and tuna seiners. As usual, the tuna become very boat-shy when the net fleet starts working. We struggled that first day; we’d run up on a spot of working, jumping tuna only to have them sound as our bow got within 20 yards of them. We’d only pick one or two of those fish. Even the normally willing-to-bite yellowfin had become suspicious of any boat in the vicinity. However, we did manage to slip the hook into a couple of those big Bluefin.

That night Captain Jeff announced he wanted to stay in the zone one more day. We awoke to more calm seas, but Jeff had moved us away from the seiners into our own little fish pond. The day started slow and we worked for every fish we landed. As the day wore on only a few big bluefin had been hooked while all the other anglers stood around and watched one or two lucky anglers battle their beasts. Things were not shaping up to match my visions of what could be.

Around midafternoon the captain’s excited voice announced a large spot of big fish was in view and we should prepare with heavy line. Even though we were forewarned we were simply unprepared for what happened next. This school stuck with the boat for the next three hours. Too many anglers continued to fish with 40-pound line and star-drag, high-speed reels. Important lessons in fishing are often harsh; too many fish were lost after an hour-long struggle. The disappointment was heavy on the shoulders of those who lost fish and those who couldn’t get hooked up in this field of hundred-pound-plus jumping tuna.

After an eternity one of those fish ate my fly-lined sardine. Fortunately I was fishing with 60-pound line, a quality hook, and a two-speed reel; things that made the crew voice immediate approval. Experience has taught me that timid anglers, much like timid poker players, often lose the battle. I was not timid and pulled hard with a tight drag, not stupid tight, but one that matched my age and experience.

That fish went 120 pounds and fulfilled my wish for a BFT exceeding 60 pounds.

At the dock we discovered the group had landed 24 BFT over 100 pounds. Our hot-dog angler, Bobby, accounted for 3 of them. My friend, Steve Raye from Portland, handled the jack pot with a larger unit that went 174.

The usual kudos go to the crew of the Independence. However, Captain Jeff deserves a special gold star for his performance on the tank. Once before I have observed Jeff’s willingness to brail the bait in order to bring a huge school of tuna into the boat. Jeff again displayed his magic and brought that magnificent school of large Bluefin to the boat for over 3 hours.

Photo's from the weekend

"FISHING with PHIL trips.
Text of call Phil to join us this Friday or Saturday night!