[Pennsy Guy]

Got home in time for the last 2 minutes of MNF. Much to my happy surprise, Jeff was the captain this trip and announced destination was my favorite, the Lindenkhol--no offense Bob, haven't seen Jeff for a year and we all go back to the old Gambler. OK, enough said. Had a bumpy ride down, taking 7 hrs. and set up a drift-wind and current negating dropping the hook. Nothing boated even after "magic hour" and full sun-up. First tuna landing around 11 o'clock, I think. Thereafter, shots of yft with more dropped than put on the deck. This was after a wind direction change and a successful anchoring. Lines all trailed out the port stern, about a 90* cone area (stern to port). A few went tiling very successfully, biggest Golden scaled out @ 58 lbs.-big as a 50 lb. tuna.
Seas were at an honest 8' to start, moderating down to 5', mostly and wind did the same. Looked almost like the beach with all the white-topped waves to start. We fished until 2 PM and headed in with forecasted increasing weather, which happened, seas pounding us on the port forequarter. Back at the dock in a dead calm--such are the vagaries of the weather. We had anchored about 400' from a buoy (no hi-flyer) and had a couple of mahi pay a visit and join the caught tuna. Clear bluish water temp 65*.
Totals: 12 Goldens-all big 25-58 lbs. 12 yft all around 50-55 lbs. 3 mahi. 2 skippies.
We had anglers of all stages of experience--first timers to guys I see every year.
We saw one blue shark, a big fellow, 10-12'. I went 1 for 4, (1 blue bite off, 2 dropped). Fish weren't line shy. Think all were hooked/boated on 50 or 40 lb. test.
Major KUDOS to the crew and Capt. on this trip. They all worked their butts off given the conditions--even handlining a couple of tuna in to gaff due to angler equipment failure. Just a magor effort all around.