07/21/10
Posted: 09:46:00
It was another one of those mornings that elicited an early bailout as we recognized that regardless of the amount of fish we were seeing, we weren't going to get the job done where we were. And so began another long search that produced various short stops on uncooperative bluefin tuna and other attempts on kelps. Not a lot of excitement to report until about 1800 when we found one kelp that rousted anglers from their slumber with good action on 15 - 20# yellowtail.
It was a quick hit, producing only seventeen fish, but again I extol the virtue of relative success. When you have nothing, a little something becomes significant; those 17 yellows, and the twenty minutes we fished from a stopped boat , had a palpable effect on morale. The fish crashed around, ate a few surface jigs, and hit us a couple of times; one in particular that saw eight or ten anglers hooked up at once. The atmosphere on board was transformed from angst and anxiety to hope and relief. Isn't fishing great? Although I struggle with the grief of inevitable defeat when the odds come around, I am driven to no end by the boundless gratification of success. I frequently recall a thought shared with me in my younger years by my good friend and huge mentor Jack Webster, who now heads AAFA (American Albacore Fishing Association), and fishes pole and line for albacore in the North Pacific. Jack expressed his love for fishing, actually the act of catching fish, as the second best thing in life. I agree. I'll leave it up to you all to decide the context. There are times however, albeit a rare few in my world, when I have to admit it can be a toss up.
On a different note, I have a love affair with a new reel that I have to recommend as the finest in it's size class I have ever seen. I am going to get not just one, but two, one for me, and one for my son Duke, as fast as possible. As always, Shimano is at the forefront. The new Trinidad 14A is perfection. For live bait fishing a sardine or anchovy with fifteen to forty pound test, or casting a swim bait or new Shimano "wax wing", no better reel has ever been produced. It is that good. You all know that I don't hang my hat on every latest trend or gimmick that comes along. I've seen plenty come, and plenty appropriately go. The new Trinidad 14A is not just a home run; it is a season winning grand slam. For an angler looking to upgrade their arsenal I can not recommend this reel highly enough. As always Shimano is on the ball. We endorse and use their products for good reason. The newest addition to the Trinidad line is a perfect example of why.
Photo of the day features the man himself, Todd Phillips, with the results of the new Shimano combo. Using the Trinidad 14A and a "Wax Wing" lure, Todd subdued this 20# class yellowtail in short order. In addition I am including a couple of shots of the lure and reel so you all get a measure of the dimensions. What a rig. I can't wait to catch a few myself tomorrow and report accordingly.
Tim Ekstrom
Co-Owner/Operator of Royal Star Sportfishing
A Love Letter to Trinidad A
07/22/10
Posted: 06:45:00
So yesterday I revealed my love at first sight reaction to the new Shimano Trinidad 14A. Between the perfect dimensions for any hand size, and flawless balance of torque and precision, my instinct was triggered the instant I saw it. Of course I didn't know completely about the torque component. Precision yes; Shimano has never introduced a product that doesn't feature precision as an inherent quality, but, based on everything I know about previous Shimano reels, I took a guess that the new Trinidad 14A would not let me down when it came to cranking power.
As I put my rear end on the line by offering my glowing recommendation out of the gates. I felt obligated to run the new Trinidad 14A through the Tim Ekstrom test mill today. After subjecting the little devil to extreme standards while pulling on a number of fish my opinion is even stronger about this reel. It is even better than I imagined. The thing is not only sweet and smooth - it is a little tractor. It's like one of those little Bobcat's that are so versatile and tough they are capable of performing almost any feat imaginable. What a reel. As a final example of just how highly I think of the new Trinidad 14A I will offer this. It made me want to fish with it. Master angler Greg Phillips, who along with his brother Todd brought along tons of fantastic Shimano reels and products for anglers to use this trip, was using the 14A as well. I kept a close eye on him always ready to take advantage of every opportunity to grab the rig and fish when he set it down. I even went as far as bugging him to let me give it a try after he caught a few on it a couple of times. Every fish I caught with the thing made me want to use it again to catch another. I am rarely this appreciative of a new product. Shimano has nailed it with this one. Along with the entire Talica and Trinidad series, as well as the old faithful Tiagra's, it is impossible to not recognize how consistently Shimano is on the cutting edge. Their reputation is well earned.
On the fishing front we had a great day. Yellowtail, yellowtail, and more yellowtail was the theme in flat calm, scenic conditions that the "Yellowtail Triangle" has become so famous for. Fifteen to twenty two pound fish were prolific and cooperative entertaining anglers with a morning and early afternoon of great fishing before we moved on to target trophy yellows, or "premiums", as we like to call them. I can't say the hunt for "premiums" was all that spectacular, but the scenery was. Grease calm, blue water, island background - cocktails and malt beverages were the evening call as the sun settled into the Pacific and we made fast for the night in heavenly conditions. Yellowtail and offshore will be the call tomorrow as we forge ahead on day three of the adventure.
Photos for the day feature angler Rob Duby who was on fire with the butterfly jigs and "wax wings" using the Shimano "Stella" spinning reels with great success. Though I probably won't be the one using it, I have to say that the butterfly method is very successful - especially for yellowtail both offshore around kelps and in the shallows. It's not just when they are biting nails that I base my opinion on. I have seen numerous occasions when the butterflyer's nail a yellowtail, or two, three, or four when the live bait and standard west coast jigs aren't getting the job done. Today's shots do the system, and Rob, who definitely put forth the effort, some justice. Look for reports to continue.
Tim Ekstrom
Co-Owner/Operator of Royal Star Sportfishing
Posted: 06:45:00
So yesterday I revealed my love at first sight reaction to the new Shimano Trinidad 14A. Between the perfect dimensions for any hand size, and flawless balance of torque and precision, my instinct was triggered the instant I saw it. Of course I didn't know completely about the torque component. Precision yes; Shimano has never introduced a product that doesn't feature precision as an inherent quality, but, based on everything I know about previous Shimano reels, I took a guess that the new Trinidad 14A would not let me down when it came to cranking power.
As I put my rear end on the line by offering my glowing recommendation out of the gates. I felt obligated to run the new Trinidad 14A through the Tim Ekstrom test mill today. After subjecting the little devil to extreme standards while pulling on a number of fish my opinion is even stronger about this reel. It is even better than I imagined. The thing is not only sweet and smooth - it is a little tractor. It's like one of those little Bobcat's that are so versatile and tough they are capable of performing almost any feat imaginable. What a reel. As a final example of just how highly I think of the new Trinidad 14A I will offer this. It made me want to fish with it. Master angler Greg Phillips, who along with his brother Todd brought along tons of fantastic Shimano reels and products for anglers to use this trip, was using the 14A as well. I kept a close eye on him always ready to take advantage of every opportunity to grab the rig and fish when he set it down. I even went as far as bugging him to let me give it a try after he caught a few on it a couple of times. Every fish I caught with the thing made me want to use it again to catch another. I am rarely this appreciative of a new product. Shimano has nailed it with this one. Along with the entire Talica and Trinidad series, as well as the old faithful Tiagra's, it is impossible to not recognize how consistently Shimano is on the cutting edge. Their reputation is well earned.
On the fishing front we had a great day. Yellowtail, yellowtail, and more yellowtail was the theme in flat calm, scenic conditions that the "Yellowtail Triangle" has become so famous for. Fifteen to twenty two pound fish were prolific and cooperative entertaining anglers with a morning and early afternoon of great fishing before we moved on to target trophy yellows, or "premiums", as we like to call them. I can't say the hunt for "premiums" was all that spectacular, but the scenery was. Grease calm, blue water, island background - cocktails and malt beverages were the evening call as the sun settled into the Pacific and we made fast for the night in heavenly conditions. Yellowtail and offshore will be the call tomorrow as we forge ahead on day three of the adventure.
Photos for the day feature angler Rob Duby who was on fire with the butterfly jigs and "wax wings" using the Shimano "Stella" spinning reels with great success. Though I probably won't be the one using it, I have to say that the butterfly method is very successful - especially for yellowtail both offshore around kelps and in the shallows. It's not just when they are biting nails that I base my opinion on. I have seen numerous occasions when the butterflyer's nail a yellowtail, or two, three, or four when the live bait and standard west coast jigs aren't getting the job done. Today's shots do the system, and Rob, who definitely put forth the effort, some justice. Look for reports to continue.
Tim Ekstrom
Co-Owner/Operator of Royal Star Sportfishing
