Hello tuna bloggers! Had 45 tuna yesterday....huge ones....biggest I've ever caught without a doubt! We could only fit two in a box.....gigantic! The boys had quite a job getting them aboard! The weather is a lot better today, less wind and a lot smaller swell....about time too! Peter, a large man to say the least, is a lot happier now, as he reckons he was lured here on flase pretenses....just bringing t-shirts and sun cream! The guys have been out in full oil skins since we got here! He's also not been sleeping very well on Quentin's mattress....getting fed up with his nose pressed up against the deck beams! Anyway it's all systems go! See you tomorrow Tom.

Had a better catch today 76 fish! Got right in amongst the Spanish boats, counted some 50 boats in 12mile range on radar, which is always interesting, as they are all shapes, sizes and colours. Have not heard from our Spanish friend Gervasio yet, hopefully will be able to speak and catch up with him soon....Tom.

Fishing has been a bit slow. They have been to sea for 2days now and have caught 150 fish.....BIG fish!

Had a good day today...96 fish and good sized ones! Steady fishing all day, which makes it easier especially when fishing in poor weather like we are at the moment. I can honestly say, I have never fished in a swell as big as this, it's got to be 4 metres plus at times, we frequently are losing sight of the horizon and other boats. Diffcult to maintain towing speed of 6 knots, because one second you are going up hill the next down hill! Tom.

Ok tuna blog fans not such a good day on Sunday only 31 fish, put a lot of that down to the weather and swell. Have had to up the line strength due to the swell parting off the fish...just too upsetting! Had an electrical problem yesterday morning....a quick call to shaun had the problem sorted fortunately! On a lighter note Dickie cooked up a lovely joint of pork....a real lift for everyone at the end of the day! Tom

Hard going with weather and that! Had 80 fish....mostly in the morning weather got horrible in late afternoon! The Charisma had similar fishing 30 miles east of us. All systems are go...that's about all folks, apart from wishing my mum a very Happy Birthday on Sunday (one of the crew thought you only looked about 60 mum), and plently to eat and drink...be merry at the Navy Inn in Penzance from me and the guys! Tom

We're now southwest Ireland on the great Atlantic tuna seas! Fishing is ok...lovely big fish! Plently of Spanish boats around for us to shadow quietly! Fishing went very quiet lunch time onwards even with our Spanish friends, but picked up a little towards the evening. The Charisma is here to the south east of us.

We reached the Atlantic tuna grounds at 3am this morning and started to fish at 5:45am.....getting 15 in the first hour or so. I had the last watch and by watching the radar closely I came across a large group of Spanish tuna boats 25 or so with some French pair trawlers. Weather is good at the moment, but forecast is lousey for the next couple of days, just have to get on with it.It's all systems go at the moment, got to go now to get on with it .

We had 45 large ones today!

The Charisma will be going to sea either tonight or tomorrow.

The goood ship 'Nova Spero' is back on the ocean waves again under a different command, as Shaun is in the Canaries with his family having a well earned break.

My name is Tom McClure, the relief skipper and the best looking blogger the boat has ever had! As Shaun mentioned in his final blog, I have done several seasons catching tuna before so it's not completely new to me. I'm really looking forward to it all, there is nothing more exciting then catching a tuna....such a magnificent fish! We have a new cunning and devious secret weapon, so we are hoping to catch as many as Shaun did! I own a 38ft trawler called 'Harvest Reaper', which has been left in the very good hands of Phil Roach, the relief skipper and my right-hand man, dickie couldn't ask for a better pair. Just hope they get some sea time in with all this horrible August weather we have had. Anyway thats enough blog, its all systems go and I'm off for a bowl of muesli. All the best Tom. 

We are on the way. The wind has backed southerly and Gervasio is telling us there is poor weather until next Wednesday so a few days in I reckon. I expect Taranteeno is chomping at the bit. We had a crap day yesterday.......10 fish.......sounded similar with Walshie and Gervasio.....gotta take the rough with the smooth. Will be in Newlyn by teatime with 1260 fish and I'm off on my hols....will take-up the reins again on 2nd September so adios and hasta la vista. CAPITANO