Going 5 for 5

Simply put, Yellowtail are amazing fish. Even the hard-core fishermen from Southern California (and we all know that they think SD is the center of the world) are quick to admit that these particular fish, here at San Marcos island in the Sea of Cortez, are fighters like none other. Without hesitation, Kevin Ward (see bio below)stresses that these fish are the toughest Yellowtail in the world. After Alan set up our drags (pulling so hard he cut his hand in the process) Steve was amazed to discover on his first fish that he had to tighten it twice more to keep it from powering into the rocks (followed by snapping line). He was even more amazed when he boated the fish and it was a mere 15lbs!!! The fish only got bigger from there….what an unforgettable experience, the first time the Jurel flexes its muscle and puts your rod on the rail and the butt performs an appendectomy in your gut. On my first fish, a good 23 pounder, all I can remember is thinking over and over ‘just don’t fall overboard, just don’t fall overboard’. What a great problem to have!





On that first day, thanks to the detailed techniques provided by Alan and Rick, we somehow managed to hook five Yellowtail AND get all five into the boat. There was a good dose of close calls, frayed line, rats nests and double gaffs - but by 11a, we had boated five fish from 15 to 23lbs without losing a single one. With aching arms and bruised stomachs we returned to camp to celebrate an unbelievably successful first day of fishing. For the remainder of our time in the cove, when meeting someone new, we would hear ‘I’ve heard about you - you’re the guys from Idaho that went 5 for 5 on your first day!’ Turns out that this would be the best day of fishing on the entire trip (and quite possibly, our entire life).