I had no choice but to go. I spent a fortune on fishing gear this year because I told myself I wasn’t renting a set again. So I ended up buying two full sets before this trip. On this trip, I found out one of the veterans is done with being able to go on a long range trip and is selling all his stuff. I’m driving out west in a few months to pick up all his gear he has amassed over the years. This will set us up for years to come. Plus give me excuses on why I need to go with the wife. lol

Anyone thinking of going on a long range trip you can plan on spending about 8k for the trip, tip, flights and fish processing. This year was amazing with the tuna bite. We were slammed with 50 to 80 pounders that I had to stop fishing because I had plenty on board. You only needed to slap a sardine on and toss it over to be in another fight. My best guess is we’re returning with four or five hundred pounds of yellowfin, bluefin, yellowtail, grouper and other various smaller fish.

I do an 10 day every other year now and had wanted to do a longer range trip but was told yes, on a 16 day trip they go after super cows. However, the boat could go to the super cow area and not get a bite for days. So the 10 day is pretty good. The charter I’m on is a really excellent group. They’ve been going for 29 years. They all want you to be successful. Very helpful with rigging and advice.

Nothing like having your own equipment. I used to rent but tried out a few of the other guys setups and spent some cash getting my own. I just got home from a tough trip with unexpected heavier than normsl tides and waves. We took a beating and the fishing wasn't good. My lines got chewed up with tangles from other anglers due to tides so today I tied on a new mono top shot with dropper rig and off loaded about 10 pounds of jigs I never use to make my bag something I could carry up the ramp a little easier. I've been at it for a while and I'm always adding a jig or two. Time to lighten the load. I know it takes a lot of paperwork to qualify for IGFA records. Good luck to your son on that endeavor. What he accomplished was truly remarkable. The next time he sets foot on that boat he will be famous. From what I understand a world record can be pretty lucrative if caught with the right equipment due to endorsements.

Any updates on the task of getting in the record book FM? I've never caught anything close to qualifying for the book but did go out once shark fishing with a fly rod on a charter that chased line class records for the book. There were a lot of rules to adhere to in order for a catch to be considered. I can only imagine the requirements for a world record catch. Any info on how it all works on the big stage would be appreciated.

That your son FM? Pretty cool experience I bet!
- jake

He actually made SI. That’s pretty cool. Watch the video. I love the picture of him holding the fish alone. That was just before it pinned in the corner.

btw, it’s a bunch of paperwork and stuff. It’s all underway.

https://www.si.com/onsi/fishing/salt...l-world-record

You must be so proud of him.

Absolutely, he’s matured into a better man than myself. Not sure I could ask for anything more.

We did some seafood shopping for Christmas today. Our family traditions are big on having a multi course fish dinner on Christmas eve. The whole gang will be here and when I was buying some of the saltwater fish I spotted ahi tuna and thought of the great achievement you guys had on the 10 day trip. I bought some and when people are eating it I'll share the story of your record breaking triumph.

I actually just got my fish on Friday. We donated the big fish to science since one that size is so rare. Even with that, we caught 750#s of yellowfin. My bluefin when I caught it I said yep, 75#. It was 76 according to the processors. We enjoyed bluefin sushi Saturday night. We’re going to repeat that this coming weekend. I love sushi.

I can't get into sushi but in all fairness I probably haven't had it properly prepared. I do like ahi grilled slightly. I've only caught one bluefin and we elected to release it. We boated 2 that day and the Captain said we could keep one but my fishing partner said let it go after I let mine go earlier. Fast forward to that evening we were sitting having a beer and watching our steaks cook on the grill and my buddy looked at me and said what were we thinking. We caught them on flies near the race between Fisher Island and Montauk. The captain said it was rare to see a pod come in and mix in with the blues and stripes. They were rocketing out of the water like torpedoes and feeding along with the stripes. Birds were working all over the place. It was a memorable day. I fought 2 and landed one.