Gambler 36hr tuna 10/14-15

[Pennsy Guy]

Just back from a productive trip. Probably won't have all the stops but will have all the tuna...First NOAA was pretty much right on with forecast which is always nice. Headed for the area which has held yellows for the past 2 months...set up on a drift with nothing...moved to the Hudson area (around the 100sq) & set up a drift for the night...had a runoff about 9PM and what looked to be--and was--a huge longfin(60-65lb) was put on ice. Nothing else, no swords, either as we drifter into the deep(2000') First stop H2O was 63*, night was 66*. Moved a bit inshore for a drift for dawn bite--7AM first yellow came in, then nothing. Moved again, still in same general area with a couple more yellows put on ice. Water temps ultimately climbed to 70* for duration. Final move was mostly back to start of trip in 200'+ water and re-drifted same area after bites died. Lots of bait-sized ling caught & used successfully along with squid. Bite and catch rate picked up late AM until we left for the barn @ 4PM.
2 fish were jigged- 1 yellow, 1 bluefin(under). 9 yellowfin caught along with the aforementioned longfin for a total of 12 tuna. I went 1 for 2---dropped 1 on 30#(late AM), caught 1 on 40#(early PM). Pool was won by an angler who had not caught last year---this was his first ever tuna---what a way to start!!! His Y(89#) outweighed mine by 10#...This was the first time I was happy to lose the pool to another--he really did deserve it! As usual, kudos to the crew, Nico, Alex, Stan & John for their handling the many tangles, gaffing & all around help. Also, to Capt. Bob for his ever-trying to find the fish. A special shout-out to Captain Tuna for his ever-present knowledge & help.
See y'all after the Halloween 36hr trip. Oh yea, my fish was crammed full of sand eels. Dropped the one using 1/2 oz; caught the one using 4oz..

[Gerry Zagorski]

Way to go and thanks for the report Dan.

[tunajoe]

Nice write up and congrats on your fish. Ooph! Was hoping for a better report. The large body of YFT's must have moved out. Urgh!!! We were consistently getting 5-6 fish with just 3 guys fishing trip after trip.

[Pennsy Guy]

Tunajoe I know but after 2 months of private boats, charters & PB's fishing 6 mile circle area the fishing has to slow; there's a finite number of fish and it has to slow 'til they're all caught!!! How many tons of sand eels can be there? As I said, my fish was absolutely stuffed with them... Compared to recent years, I can't complain...

[Ol Pedro]

There's always hope that new fish will show up as the water cools to the north. But parking lot fishing has taken it's toll on this group of fish. If the sand eels hold up and the temp doesn't drop too much there should be at least a scratch bite for a while.

[Jigman13]

Or the bluefin will move in as they head south.

[Ol Pedro]

Or the bluefin will move in as they head south.

The longfin haven't shown in any numbers yet. They may be further offshore around the edge . It seems that when the boats head further out they catch 1 or 2.

[Pennsy Guy]

I totally agree with you both...forgot to mention there were multiple whales all the time short of the Hudson; t'was like fishing in mammalville...a couple blew close enough to us that we got their blow spray mist...just awesome...

[Pennsy Guy]

The longfin haven't shown in any numbers yet. They may be further offshore around the edge . It seems that when the boats head further out they catch 1 or 2.

Agree Pete but if the PB's catch short of the Hudson, save fuel cost & catch yf's...personally, I'd rather have birdes, even better, bluefin I'm not complaining, not in the least. We gonna see you this year? You had mentioned Calif. For a month...

[2na]

Nice report. Thanks Pal

[Ol Pedro]

Chuck,Had to delay the trip due to covid restrictions. We will try again in the spring. Yosemite looks good any time. Fuel savings and increased fishing time makes it better for both customers and operators. It's hard to get them to chew when they are packed with food. Let's hope for hungry stupid fish.

[Jsnake4444]

Heading out hopefully next weekend for the 24 hr. Hopefully they are biting better in the dark.

[captbogan]

Thanks for putting the post up, Chuck.

Great bunch of guys and knowledgeable fishermen. I just wish we could lose the trend of dead-sticking (sticking a rod in a rod holder and locking it up). I feel like we could have caught a lot more fish with the rod under the arm and feeding the bait out (like you do, Chuck). I think there are many more tangles and fish lost using the dead-stick technique. What works on Wicked Tuna does not necessarily work on a party boat drifting the canyons. The guys that keep it simple, usually come out on top.

The tuna bite could turn on anytime at the canyon wall. Around this time last year, we started to catch on the edge. Keep in mind that we haven't had our first frosty day yet --and a cold snap usually gets the tunas on the feed again.

We still have some spots available on upcoming trips

Capt Bob

[tunajoe]

Wondering if it was all of the boats pounding them or the temp change - we had consistent 72-75 degree water when the bite off the hook. :confused: