Here comes Christmas, closely followed by 2024.

The big yellowfin have turned up over the offshore marks and the spaniards blew the minds of all those looking for a fresh fish feed.

Fishing the SIGFA monthly Fish To The Max tournament, Capt. Laeon Simpson and his anglers aboard Fua II had a blinder, when he sounded a heap of bait west of Apia FAD. In a brief but frantic session, they landed four yellowfin to 46kg and released two blue marlin estimated at well over 120kg. They then went on to land a ton of jumbo skippies (skipjack tuna), for a total catch weight of 280kg and first place.

Meanwhile Team Troppo have been tagging blue marlin and sailfish along the 2,000m line. The yellowfin have been hitting the deck, too.

Over the inshore pinnacles and reefs, spanish mackerel, dogtooth tuna and giant trevally have also been in the mix. As we head into February the run of large yellowfin tuna will continue with fish exceeding 50kg becoming the norm. Big mamma blue marlin will be on the chew and those spaniards will keep the hot plates on the local barbecues full of beautiful fresh fish. Yeeha, bring it on!