First off, I want to thank Willie, Curtis, and the rest of the TFF crew for adjusting to the weather window. it worked perfect w/ still waters while fishing, and following seas in and out!
Secondly thanks to the great captains Ronnie Hale & Tye Bralley for knowing what we wanted and giving it to us.
Third, the deckhands, Jackson, Greg, Albert, & Casey worked their ASSES off to give us what we wanted. I dont think I've ever seen so many head-shots!
exta Kudo's go to Darryl & the others that filled in to help out. y'all really made it a great trip!
.......SO.........
night 1 started out pretty good, w/ some yellows on the deck by 10 pm. Jerry's friend Mike & Allen were the hot sticks that night, w/ like 12 yellows between them. obviously lots of blackies, and most of the YF's were 50-80#
next day trolled all damn day for a 25# YF for me & a 30# Wahoo for Mike.
The last night was on!!!! no moon, flat seas, and the boys at boudreaux were gracious enough to let us stay w/ in 100y all night long! thanks guys!
started @ perdito and it was dead until midnite, made the move over to boudreaux and the YF's were ON!
Shibuki's up front and poppers out back were the rule and really putting some quality fish in the boxes.
After woking my [censored] off speed jigging, I went to poppers and promptly broke 2 tuna-hunters in half on fish, neither staying buttoned up. next thing I know, Allen hands off to me and I kill a 70# yellow in 2 mins flat on a tuna-hunter.
later a lot of newbs got their fish, and we all woke to a great sunrise and excellent breakfast prepared by the crew.
This was a top-Notch trip w/ equal crew experience & I will be going on this boat again soon.
only downer for me was that awning over the deck. that's gonna have to go away if this is gonna be a real long-range contender.
here's some pics:
sunrise at 180nm. AWESOME!!!!

my good one:

The Escolar:

Brian Hefty:

Brian Shipman:

Margarita Mojo (aka shibuki-san) in action:

tuna love these damn things!!!

the haul:

and then the work began.......
the work:

The loins:

ready for steaks:
[img]
http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww164/BrianNesbit/DSCF8169.jpg[/img]
GOD, I love sashimi!!!!!!
[img]
http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww164/BrianNesbit/DSCF8170.jpg[/img]
this trip was awesome and I can't wait till next year. thanks to everyone whose hard work made this trip one to remember!
tight lines, tunaheads
-Brian