DATE:  June 11, 2011

LOCATION:  Out of Oregon Inlet

VESSEL:  "Smoker" - Forbes 58' Sportfisher

SKIPPER/OWNER:  Brynner PARKS (Long-time fishing partner of our own Jim DIXON)

MATE:  Scott BISHOP (Outstanding, hard-working, newest member of your team!)

THE STORY:  This was the second annual trip put together by my son, Jeremy. He invited me to tag along with his work related party.

No question about which vessel would be chartered... "SMOKER", a great trip last year, no reason to expect any less this year!

Underway, about 30+ miles northeast of Oregon Inlet trolling for Dolphin... we had one "cow" in the fishbox. Then the radio call from the fleet - "Big Eye Tuna south of your postion." Capt. PARKS had us "wind-'em-up" and steamed about 30 minutes south.

Shortly after arrival at the location, trolling with 3 spreaders and 7 rods with Ballyhoo... snap, snap, snap-snap, snap, snap-snap, we hit a school of Big Eye Tuna! All seven rods hit at once. 6 anglers, 3 fighting chairs, 1 mate, and 1 skipper... the fish were big and tough, and the fight was on.

Picture the activity - MAXIMUM effort, MAXIMUM exertion, MAXIMUM controlled panic for the next almost 2 hours. What or who would let go first? Absolutely beyond belief!

THE RESULT:  1 fish "burned-off" when lines got crossed, 1 fish broke-off at the boat, and 5 citation Big Eye Tuna were finally hauled over the gunwales.

THE FACTS:  Citation Big Eye Tuna must be 120 lbs. to qualify. We had successfully, simultaneously battled "brawlers" of 188, 165, 150, 137, and 130 lbs.

THE END:  With 764 lbs. onboard, we had more tuna than we could ice in the fishbox. We headed in... beat-up, battered, and bruised. But, we had 5 Big Eye Tuna citations and a story to tell for the rest of our lives!

RECOMMENDATION:  Without hesitation, charter Capt. Bynner PARKS and "SMOKER". If the are fish out there, he will put you on them. The catching is up to you and your new team partner, Mate Scott SIMPSON. They can do their job... be prepared for yours!

Best regards,

Gordon Galligan