VJ finishes the job I started.

The Wahoo fish resist at first, and then give up. You just have to reel-up dead weight (which can be exhausting depending on the size of the Wahoo).

Tuna fight you every inch of the way.

Either way you can't rest, because if you do, the sharks will eat half of your fish by the time you get it on board.

The Filipino skippers and deck hands have done this a million times, and they are always very gracious to help out the recreational fisherman.

The cleaning is free, except for a tip, which is well deserved. The heads of the fish, and other body parts, are discarded by those who catch them. Later they are made into some kick-ass dishes in town where the Filipino workers live..

The Westerners just want the fillets.

Me, crying out for help, catching a medium tuna.

In my defense, I was suffering from food poisoning and vomited a couple of times unrelated to the rolling ocean, and this was my first "big" catch. Inexperience and sickness... but the next time! I'll be ready!! (I know, I know. Excuses, excuses.)

The man I am calling out to help me is VJ (second from left). A Mauritian (and a heck of a nice guy) who works at the Diego Garcia motor pool. I knew I wasn't feeling well, so I called on him for back-up!


Terry (far left) the SA whose job I am in training to take. VJ. Capt. Phipps (the Air Force Commander of GEODSS, where I work).

VJ didn't have his handline.
So he tried his best with the less than manly fishing pole. He wasn't happy with the results, and questioned our fishing accomplishments.