Tim Eckstrom owner/Operator of the MV Royal Star says it so profoundly..

"Better yet, what a perfect example of why there is no room for quitters or defeatists in fishing. It sure would have been easy to say the hell with it and run straight home. Like I stated in a report a few days back - it is not in Randy's or my nature. If there is any way to squeeze out an extra hour, an extra morning that could profoundly impact a trip that is the path we will choose - every time. I cannot express the number of occasions when we have produced incredible fishing in eleventh hour of a voyage through pure determination, and some cases obstinacy, that has transformed the entire tone of an adventure from morose to jubilant. Those of you who have followed these reports over the years are well aware of this tendency. Thank goodness for it. The reality of it is that there are those inevitable times out here when good luck fails you and you are left to make your own. "When the going gets tough, the tough double down." I love that saying."

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SDTuna,

Yes, this is a profound statement.

The sad part is, the Royal Star's crew is famous for their fish catching record, that we all know.

But really Tim, the persistant chest thumping? Really?

I must admit, I have partaken in that last minute 11th hour, last day of fishing, EPIC, W.F.O. hell unleashed fishing with them on the Royal Star.

We were ar Roca Partida, Feb. 1998. Chris Wong had foolishly dropped down to 60# gear and was picked up by a monster.

The current was swinging around, Tim spotted a school of Tuna, coming right at us. UNFORTUNATELY, The Excel saw them as well. Tim was screaming at the crew to "get him off the boat"
Man was Tim on a tear. The crew wasn't moving like he wanted and boy did he get the point across.

The skiff was launched, Chris was in and on his way to a Roca Partida sleigh ride.

The anchor was pulled, the throttles went wide open, the boat swung around, got the propper spot, thus cutting off the excel, and the anchor went down.

Toim ordered the bait to be brailed. HOLY CRAP what happened next was one of those stories ya read about.

The Tuna charged the Boat eating the paint off the bottom. The kites were out and in every 3-5 minutes. In fact, 1 kite abit was inhaled 1 1/2 feet from the boat, soaking 5 people in the splash.

There were 19 of us in a maddening flurry, for 4 1/2 hours, well into the dark. 75 to 200 pound tuna flying over the rails.

Passengers were helping crew and each other. We were litterally stepping over Tuna on every inch of the aft sections of the ship.

I picked up a 150 pound Tuna, on the kite in the dark. All we saw was the splash and oh boy! It was game on.

Yes, the star can put the fish on. It's just tiring to constantly hear the " Self bragging "
It's a shame because they really are good people.

Some of the "Self Bragging" might be marketing but to me it gets old fast.

I haven't had the fortune to fish other boats but I like the way Andy and John G run the RRIII.

I fished the Searcher with Art Taylor.........

It was like Nightmare on Elm Street. That horribly bad. The only GOOD thing was I had one of their reels explode in my hands on a Bluefin tuna run.

I used my thumbs as the drags and still wound the fish in. 50 pounder.

I have been blessed to also Fish the Shogun with Norm, Bruce, Kevin Osbourne as the head Men onboard. Great trip, a Ton of fish.

Plus I have fished the Royal Star.

I look forward to fishing the Intrepid and soon.

And yes, I am tired of reading the Bragging and between the lines commentsof the Intrepid.

But, what the " Code Boats " forget, is that Kevin Osborne spent so many years as a " Code Boat " worker, that he is accutely aware of the killer fishing grounds.

Nice try Codies, but the Intrepid and her crews are posting great, if not better catches than you are.

IMO...

The effort and purpose of the post was to enlighten those who need a mental boast and to set expectations of just what a LR trip can be.

the Royal Star, the Excel, RRIII and the others who travel south out of San Diego are the best at what they do in the world of stand up fishing.

Each has a different way of chest pumping and bringing forth results. I for one like how Tim writes and gets a vaild point across.

Heck, that's cool too. We do live in America and have the right to choose what we think and do.

Tim does write extremely well.

And the entire L.R fleet is awesome.

I just get tired of the " Outright " bragging.

I like reading the reports, don't get me wrong.
I also like how they tell the truth when the fishing goes into the toilet.

Nothing is hidden. THAT is truthful writing.

I want to try the Excel, RRIII, and the R.P.
I haven't fished them yet.

yes, it's a bit of chest thumping and braggin' and good advertising PR...but all these top boats do their very best and they many times pull a rabbit out of the hat saving what would have been a dismal trip by their sheer determination to fight it out to the ninth inning.

It would have been easy for a skipper to call it a day and start the trip home or just idle on the anchor "waiting for a bite" saving precious fuel and making more profit. The fact they are determiend to get as good of a trip as possible is a testament to their desire to the best business by giving their best business.

LR fishing still depends on fresh blood from new clientell and the newbies should know that the LR boats are owned and runned by very dedicated people who aren't going to loaf off just to save some bucks on fuel. They work hard to make it happen.

I've only been doing LR trips since Mark and Potts forced me to go on the Fall '05 Charkbait 10 day. I've only fished the RR III but I see the dedication of the captains and crew of the entire fleet. I'm sure there are duds and dicks out there but I haven't seen them.

Although I have only fished AA, I have not heard one complaint, not one single complaint about the skippers on the LR fleet. The LR fleet is at the cream of the crop and the skippers are usually the owner/operators as well.

It's their livelihood and they all understand the importance of making the catch. There is nothing to be gained long term in having unhappy fishermen. The more we catch, the happier we are and the more likely we come back for another trip.

As long as I am catching fish and Ollie is sporting assless chops, a cammo thong and nipple clamps....................life is good.

Note to self, get a bucket harness.

Note to self....get a chastity belt-I need the sleep!

Note to self..................

Get an industrial lock picking set, hack saw, BUCKET O' Lube and large escape proof rubber boots.

Oh! And larger ball gags.
Sing a long. Merry Christmas to meeeee
Merryyyyyy .........................

note to self:

Bring lots of towels.