I can confidently say that this voyage has certainly seen it�'s fair share of fish. Right of the bat we caught an Ahi that fed us well for days. A few days later, as we finished up our first catch, we land a Mahi. This continued to be the trend for the duration of our voyage. So far it has only been Paul, Toomey and Adam to real in the big boys. This all changed yesterday.

It was a little into the afternoon as I took the helm. Still full from a lunch of seared Ahi, I opened up my book Two Years Before the Mast to enjoy the adventures of Richard Dana in between glances at the compass. The rest of the crew moved toward siesta, still digesting the last of our catch. It was a peaceful day. Light winds and slow rolling waves stretched as far as the eye could see. I was just finishing up another chapter when I heard the line in our fishing pole hanging off the stern of our boat zip like lightening!

Alone in the cockpit, I jump over to the pole to get into position. Adam quickly emerges on deck to grab the steering. With the line slowing down, I begin to real in the monster. Slowly, but surely, the fish inches closer and closer to boat. By now Adam has turned the boat into wind while Toomey and Paul materialize with the gaff hook. Looking back over the water, I see the fish jump for the first time. It�'s a Mahi and it�'s a big one! I go back to working the fish in, constantly keeping pressure on the line. Eventually I get her right behind the boat. Taking the line in hand, I pull her right up the stern, careful not to pull her head out of the water and potentially loose the hook. Paul counts down then lands a clean gaff right above the gills. He pulls her aboard and the battle was won! Grammy always said "there are many fish in the sea", but today there is one less.

Picking her up for the photo, I�'d estimate she weights about 25-30 pounds. She was a beauty that will last us the rest of our voyage. I was proud finally catch my first fish! Now that only question that lasts is sashimi, chowder or tacos?

Peace,

Andrew Stoker