After experiencing spectacular Giant Bluefin action in Hatteras, North Carolina last January we headed back to the Outer Banks again this year with very high expectations. We had again booked the Sea Hawk with Captain Bruce Pollock for 4 days. Since we had a larger crowd this year we also chartered another boat for each day, the Native Son with Captain D. M. Gray for two days and the Wave Runner with Captain Howard Basnight for one. Unfortunately the timing of our trip proved to be our downfall. We flew in just at the end of the most powerful Norķeaster the Outer Banks had experienced in years. The fish were scattered and proved to be nearly impossible to find. School-sized yellowfin were plentiful so we had plenty of action, but there were almost no bluefin caught. Our final day we finally found a few but the largest was only about 90 pounds. Since most of our anglers accompanying us this time were relatively novice tuna fisherman they still had a great time pulling in the "schoolie" yellows. Those of us though who had previously had the pleasure of experiencing the awesome power of the Giant Bluefin were distinctly disappointed.

This year the bluefin were not as abundant as in the past. Even before the storm came through the fleet was releasing only three to five fish per boat per day and never found the large body of bluefin to which they had grown accustomed. This problem was aggravated by a series of subsequent storms that further dispersed the fish. As the season progressed the hoped for late appearance of the large tuna schools never materialized but the fish that were caught were in the 500 pound range and hence provided a great deal of fun for those who ventured after them.

Headed out of Hatteras inlet	Mate Bobby