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

Weather has improved slightly.....W-NW 5 to 7 but still a big ground swell. Last day tomorrow, going home tomorrow night. Can't wait to see Jax and the kids.....off on our hols next week for a fortnight......normally can't afford a holiday but we one it in a spot-the-ball competition.....nice to be blessed by Lady Luck sometimes but fishing has slackened-off a bit, me, Jon and Gervasio have gone our seperate ways searching for the little bambinos. We ended up with 74 fish 

14 August. This is it, the last day. We are towing north to shorten the distance for steaming home. When you are the skipper/owner of a 20m boat like the Nova Spero you maintain it yourself. She needs constant attention so you aint got much time.....it's in tomorrow, land fish, a nights sleep, down to the boat on Saturday to get her ready for the next trip as i will not be here. Due to insurance reasons a chap called Tom McClure will be skippering her next trip and he will be in the wheelhouse running the show up there....radars, plotters, echo sounders, sonars.....navigating and communicating. Quincy will be running the deck, Ian will be running the engines, machinery and fuel transfer pumping systems, good old Dicki will be running the fishroom.......I'm just trying togive you an insight into what goes on. Its not just a case of throwing lines over the side and pulling them in, everything has to run smoothly and sometomes it does and sometimes it doesn't. Tom's a gent...a real nice fella....nothing is too much trouble for him. He has done a trip here before so it will not be unfamilair surroundings for him.

Anyhow, we've got a trip......1250 fish on board at the moment. Hoping for another 50 fish today but I think that its wishful thinking as we are towing north. RGDS, CAPITANO  

Latest landings information is that Nova Spero will be landing Friday evening with 1300 to 1400 fish. Charisma will be landing Saturday with 1000 fish

All I can say is that today has not been fun, westerly 7 to severe gale 9, sea like a cliff. If anybody wants an exhilarating ride just step aboard my boat on a day like this, it makes a rollecoaster seem like a toddlers merry-go-round at the funfair. Walshie, Gervasio and myself still fishing in the same area....some of the lines being parted at times, especially when towing down the weather; a fish take the lure and dives, crewman tries to hold it, 120 tonnes of Nova Spero gets picked up by a 30-40 foot seas and throws her down into the next trough.....twang...fish gone.....me gone....nuts!!

Anyhow, ended up with 135 pocos...not bad considering weather....Gervasio 150.....Walshie's the boy with 200! Salad's out curry's in.....hasta la vista, CAPITANO 

Gervasio has joined us as fishing was slack with him. Who would have believed it....me telling a Spanish fisherman-friend where to catch tuna?? I'm delighted to return the favour.

Fishing going well, but we had a bit of a fright earlier......were pulling in a few fish when we saw a big shark, reckon it was a thresher, took one fish right off the hook.....cheek of it.....bore an uncanny resemblance and attitude to one of the fish buyers at home!

Giving poor weather for next two days so will have to go into washing machine mode again. Ended up with 229 bonitos. Rgds CAPITANO. 

Weather fine on Saturday, salad for supper again. Gervasio still west catching the 'breeders'......might go! We ended up with 200 'pocos' but the smaller ones are more juicy so I have been told. Just remember when you are eating your tuna in a restaurant, on the barby with a nice refreshing tipple it has been brought to you by the crews of the Nova Spero and the Charisma working 20 hours a day come what may. Miss U Jax, Jr, Jr. Rgds, CAPITANO EDWARDS

Sunday, damp and dismal. Some big tuna jumping right out the water.....Blue Planet stuff!!! Gervasio and me are beginning to string a few words together, looking forward to seeing him soon.....aftrenoon weather a big improvement and the fish started biting....ended up with 260 for the day.

Monday update: Charisma has 800 fish. Nova Spero 800 fish

Caught a total of 80 fish yesterday!

Weather west north west 6 to gale 8 - like living in a washing machine! Spoke to our Basque friend, by the sound of it he had another day off, who can blame him. From what Gervasio is saying I think the fishing is quiet with the Spanish fleet, it certainly is with us anyway. At this rate the man from Del Monte will have nothing but tinned fruit to sell next week. Jacket spuds for tea, highlight of the day! Ere you tomorrow Captaino.