The smell of bacon was in the air, chef Jason was in the galley preparing his hometown breakfast favorite the OKI special, which is bacon fried rice with with a couple of fried eggs on top.

In about 15 hours we should arrive at the yellow Fin hot spot known as the buffer zone, an area about seven miles off the protected island of clarion. This marine sanctuary is part of mexico and is home to abundant coral reefs and sea life.

From an east coast point of view the excel may look like just another big party boat, but when you look closer she is a technological wonder. Brandon Wilske, is the excel's engineer and is responsible for the systems that keep her running smoothly including the three main engines.

I can tell you first hand there are no party boats back east with the comfort level of these long range fishing boats. From the state rooms to the air conditioning no creature comforts are overlooked.

As we work way closer to clarion island we make a small detour to a Costa Ricon fishing vessel. Free trade is alive and well on the high seas. Cervas and cigarettes for enough swordfish to feed 30 hungry fisherman, now that's a deal

It won't be long now when the first yellow is over the rail.

Tim C. Smith

As the sun broke the horizon Cabo San Lucas became visible in the distance. A few hours later we were passing the rock formations that have made this area famous.

The last remaining fisherman flew into Cabo a few days prior. The excel anchored in the harbor and the anglers were ferried aboard by water taxi.

Next stop, clarion island, its a thirty seven hour steam from Cabo but the time will pass quickly with Jason in the galley and the new arrivals preparing their gear.