Verne was pumping his fist after Danny Ilustre stuck the gaff in the first nice yellow of the day. Way to get things started Verne ! We were all pumping our fists for Verne as well.

You've probably heard some reports floating around and might find some wimpy 4-10 lb stripped down model yellows roaming the island biting on anything you throw at them and selling for cheap somewhere. Well not here, not today!!! Were talking fully loaded, super-charged, special edition, throwing in the yellow leather trim as well, honest to goodness 20 lb homeguard yellows here and no I'm not a car salesman. Jason was taking his sweet time test riding this luxury model and enjoying every second. I got a feeling this baby may be headed for the garage.

I didn't think this test ride was ever gonna end and Jason was hoping it never would.

We all gathered around Jason and his catch, wanting to touch it and try it out for ourselves. Jason was more than happy to show his prize off to everyone and was even kind enough to tell us where he got it from. Nice yellow Jason, you know if they make that in a convertible.

Seems like every time I fish with Vince we hook up with some really nice fish and today was looking to be no exception. Hooked up big time with beautiful Catlina Island in the background. I don't think it gets much better than this ! Unless I was hooked up as well of course.

Vince with his first and not last nice yellow of the day.

Sometimes I like to go up to the topdeck lay back and relax, listen to the birds, sounds of the sea and the waves crashing on the rocks and meditate. I was having a hard time feeling "whole" with all the guys screaming "hook-up", "fresh one" and "gaff!!!!" all the time. Oh well maybe a wide open yellowtail bite isn't the best place for my meditation sessions. Thanks Rich.

Kenny hooked up with a nice yellow and had a captain's escort around the boat as Captain Woodreu cleared the rail for another hard charging battle.

Captain Woodreu provided the finishing touches for Kenny's epic battle with another nice yellow.

I lost track of Rich in all the comotion but knew he wouldn't be far. I found him again up on the bow still bend to the hilt with a big mossback on the other end. After about another 10-15 minutes he finally got this nice yellow within range of the gaffs.

Mike Jimenez was on hand to stick Richs' nice yellow with the gaff after a long, epic, grind it out battle. WSB got nothing on these guys.(well maybe they taste a little better)

Mike doesn't like it all that much when Rich tries to hog the spotlight with his many fishing triumphs. Don't feel sorry for Mike. Mike gets his !!!!

A big thumbs up is right. You guys sure catch alot of fish, any advice on hooking the big one ?

Being a health care professional myself I can't stress enough the importance of getting plenty of iron in you're diet. Fish are no different and I recommend a daily dose for all active pelagics regardless of the time of year. I bring plenty of extras along on board just in case any fish is a little short. I was throwing free samples of my favorite iron supplement off the bow and cranking fast when I got slammed hard. The beast made a mad dash for the rocks but I had the drag buttoned down and wasn't about to let my first yellow of the day head back for the rocks. I was feeling pretty good about myself when I man handled this one over the rail. One of the guys barely had the heart to tell me my prized catch was in fact a whitefish, not a yellowtail, and had to be return immediately to the water. Darn the luck ! I shoke it off and got back to it, determined to get mine too !!

Dave offered up a live squid on small sliding sinker to the school and found a taker in the form of a nice 14 or 15 pounder.

Ying Lee, we just call him Lee, with the first of his many quality yellows. The morning bite raged on and we had 10 or so yellows on boat early.

Captain Woodreu has a knack for putting his customers onto yellows we no-one else in the fleet can. Coincidence ? I don't think so ! The Captain with Dave and Lee, a couple of very happy fisherman, and two very unhappy yellows.

Conditions at the island were holding steady and the yellows kept biting. Brent was the next one to get picked up and you could tell this was a real nice one by the way the line was screaming off his reel when he laid back into it.

Every hookup is precious this time of year so the crew aboard the Pursuit stay close to every hooked fish to keep the angler and fish clear of trouble and get as many into the boat as possible.

Before you head out to the island to tackle these yellows make sure you're gear is up to the task because nothing is more frustrating then seeing nice fish lost because of faulty gear or old line. I pretty sure Brent check his gear before this trip because this battle was about to be over !