The Fisherman

Continuing on their way to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and the land of monster yellowfin tuna, the Excel stops for a hot yellowtail bite and Tim announces the winner of the Super Bowl pool!

Day 3 at sea and the Excel finally arrives in Cabo San Lucas to pick up the remaining anglers. The quad copter is deployed for a few overhead shots and the long steam to Clarion Island begins. Cow yellowfin lay just around the corner!

Locked, loaded and ready for action! As the Excel nears the fertile waters of Clarion Island, Tim takes us through the last of the crew’s tackle prep and gives us a tour of the boat’s engine room and mechanical systems.

Arriving at the fishing grounds off Clarion Island, it wasn’t long before the sound of screaming drags and thumping tuna tails reverberated around deck.

Although multiple yellowfin exceeding the 200 pound mark have already hit the deck, Capt. Justin Fleck knows there are bigger fish to be found. The anglers aboard the Excel wrap up another day at Clarion Island before proceeding to Hurricane Bank.

Capt. Justin Fleck made the right call moving to Hurricane Bank and less than a day after arriving, jumbo yellowfin are flying over the rails and tuckering out anglers all around the Excel.

Jumbo yellowfin tuna continue their onslaught and give everyone aboard the Excel a run for their money. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of the elite mates, everything remains a well oiled machine.

With thousands of miles and hundreds of yellowfin under their belts, the anglers aboard the Excel depart Hurricane Bank on a course for Cabo San Lucas. The fishing, however, is still far from over.

The anglers aboard the Excel target some of the fastest speedsters in the sea and troll for wahoo around the outskirts of Clarion Island’s "Buffer Zone". One more day of cow hunting lies ahead before their ultimate return to Cabo San Lucas.

The anglers aboard the Excel wrap up fishing with one last stab at cow yellowfin and ice some more wahoo before their return to Cabo San Lucas.

The crew of the Excel takes stock of their experience with the New York anglers. Gear is stripped down and memories are solidified as Cabo comes into sight.

Dropping off a good portion of its anglers in Cabo San Lucas, the Excel ventures north along the coast of Baja California in route to San Diego. During the steam, John Nappo reiterates the importance of hook selection for long range tuna fishing.

Moving ever closer to San Diego, the remaining anglers aboard the Excel are followed by dolphins and daydreams. Tim Smith takes a moment to discuss the finer points of rod and reel selection for long range fishing expeditions.

Tim Smith takes us through a stunning photo montage as the Excel nears port in San Diego.

The Excel has finally settled into port and their catch has been offloaded. At this stage she has already turned back out to sea on another trip but be sure to check in with Tim Smith as he runs through February 17th’s dockside action.

In our very first installment of "The Kayak Insider" from The Fisherman Magazine, meet host Elias Vaisberg as he offers a few quick tips on effective catch and release bluefishing during the spring run.