The elusive longfins gave just about everybody, including myself, the slip last year as they pulled off a dissapointing vanishing act early in the year. I wasn't about to let any opportunity to catch one slip through my fingers this year. The first significant albacore bite of the year is in full swing right now, so it was time to call Captain Doug Reed and jump on board for a 1 1/2 day trip aboard the Renegade fishing out of Seaforth Lading in San Diego. With the albacore in close range the 29 eager and excited anglers aboard for this particular adventure enjoyed a leisurely and smooth ride to the fishing grounds courtesy of small swells and awesome weather. Trolling feathers hit the water at first light and it wasn't long before the first cries of "Hooooook Upppp !!!!" echoed across the stern as a hungry albacore hammered one of the feathers. Yes !!! We were in the zone !!! We picked away at them during the morning hours and managed a few bait fish after some of the jig strikes, but nothing like we were hoping for. With reports of the best fishing occuring during afternoon hours we were confident the fish would rise. Sure enough !!! They did !!! As the day progressed the jig strikes became more frequent and more and more bait fish were starting to hit. A few circles and chum around a sonor mark produced multiple boils, double jig strikes and a couple of double digit stops for the gang. We kept at it till the very end and busted a number of nice bait fish as the sun dissappeared below the horizon. What a day !!! We ended the day with 80 or so nice 20-30 lb albacore for our efforts. Oh yeah, almost forget about Raymond Espinoza's epic battle. Wait till you see the shots of his awesome 32 lb bluefin tuna he hooked and landed on 20 lb test line. His first bluefin ever! He ate the heart and still had the heart to donate the jackpot money to the hard working crew. Good Karma today Raymond, you earned some good Karma today. Way to go !!! Thanks as always to Captain Reed and his outstanding crew aboard the Renegade. You will not find a more experienced or harder working crew anywhere on the water. Trust me on this one. Give Seaforth Landing a call at 1-619-224-3383 to make a reservation or visit the Renegade website at www.renegadesportfishing.com to check their schedule. Trips are selling out fast. I wonder why ? Thats' the "word on the water" Don. donpadick@hotmail.com for pics or questions.