"Though we'd been running on similar spots of birds all morning, there was something different about the terns we were currently approaching. While all the other birds had flared and swooped to pick off bait almost too small to see, these remained low and focused. They also proved harder to keep up with. Our previous pattern of 'find the terns, drive alongside, throw some chum and commence download of big surface iron yellows' just wasn't working with these guys.
"The fish won't let me get on top of them," crackled the voice of Owner/Operator Ryan "Booger" Bostain over the PA from the helm of his boat, the 75-foot San Diego. As if on cue the birds hopscotched ahead again, forcing Booger to goose the throttles in pursuit. Something changed and the next time the birds came together, in was with great urgency."
Words: Erik Landesfeind Video: Michael Fowlkes