Gambler 36hr tuna

[Pennsy Guy]

Just back from the Hudson with 72* crystal clear blue water--too warm for birds and apparently yellows don't like the crystal clear...Set up a drift after looking...there were some 5 footers mixed in with the 7-8's and near 18 kt winds. Yes, it was a very bumpy ride out. No pulls of any sort on drift or on the hook at night except for one blue devil and at 3:01 had a pull, then a hook-up & boated the only tuna on the trip--50-55#. Everyone at the rail after that--all to no avail... Started pot hopping around 9 AM with a weight-variety of mahi at all pots, save for two. A few of the latter pots held Jacks along with the mahi. At least everyone went home with something for the dinner plate or fillet and eggs for breakfast. Winds and seas lay down at dawn but came on stronger and bigger as night was chased by the sun. We got beat up coming in until maybe 20 miles out when I awoke to a flat sea with a slight breeze. Hopefully, next several trips will bear some finny friends of the deep. Oh yea, saw a few porpoises and had an abundance of very catchable squid.
As is standard on the Gambler, kudos to 2nd Capt. Greg, mates Erik, John and mechanic Duffy(also tended galley) for their expertise in all things nautical & keeping the fares happy. Special kudos to Capt. Bob going the extra mile trying to find fish.

[Duffman]

Disappointing. Can’t see getting beat up for the skunk. I know it’s fishing and every trip is different but when was the last SOLID fall chunk bite we have had?

Time to put the party boat tuna setups in the classified section.

[Jigman13]

Time to put the party boat tuna setups in the classified section.

No its not!!

[Capt. Debbie]

Ditto!

AA is for quitters. :) Fisherman just wait. It's all cyclic


Disappointing. . . .

Time to put the party boat tuna setups in the classified section.

[2na]

Disappointing. Can’t see getting beat up for the skunk. I know it’s fishing and every trip is different but when was the last SOLID fall chunk bite we have had?

Time to put the party boat tuna setups in the classified section.

You got anything good? I can never have too much party boat tuna stuff.
Shorts

[kevin kovach]

Sounds like you were a day early. The other point pleasant boat came in with around 50 yellowfin and a bunch of longfin this afternoon.

[Duffman]

You got anything good? I can never have too much party boat tuna stuff.
Shorts

Depends what ya mean by good :D. Def old school stuff but caught plenty. International 30’s , 50’s, narrow and wide. Chaos and Penn rods.

Like I asked in last post……when was the last lights out chunking season? I’m old a my memory sux but I’m thinking 2015? Few years after Sandy?

[dales529]

Depends what ya mean by good :D. Def old school stuff but caught plenty. International 30’s , 50’s, narrow and wide. Chaos and Penn rods.

Like I asked in last post……when was the last lights out chunking season? I’m old a my memory sux but I’m thinking 2015? Few years after Sandy?

When I was a younger man in seminary school ( Doors Jim Morrison for those that dont know) the chunk bite varied from 6 pack to PB but to your point Duff it was 2012 to 2015. We Limited out 24 yellowfins plus longfins, plus swords and Mahi on most of our trips. Bob on the Gambler was always in the mix, we were on the Jenny Lee with Dave Bender but they always talked.
I think Bob and crew on the Gambler ALWAYS run a great trip and while its hit or miss you dont want to miss the Hit trip as Bob will find them. Not time to put the gear away except for age LOL!

Also Pennsy Guy is a tuna nut and deserves every Tuna he gets! keep at it

[Pennsy Guy]

Thanks for that Dales---don't worry, I plan to "keep at it" for as long as I can...My last trip will be back to the Hudson where I'll join a buddy-Dennis-whose been waiting for me for 9 years....

[Duffman]

Just discouraging reading reports like Pennsy and not having a bite, as hard as the dude fishes.

Absolutely agree with the Gambler and crew with the effort. That was never in question.

Wishing of the old days and the Andy S NJF Gambler trips.

[capt74]

Chuck, Hopefully he will have A LONG wait for you. Always a pleasure fishing with you.

[AndyS]

I sold all my tuna stuff also, but not so much due to lack of tuna hitting the decks, had more to do with stamina.
Every time I see Pennsy Guy post a tuna report I say "God bless him", I know how old he is, or should I say young. Been there done that, had my balls in socks a number of times, loved every minute of it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not out of shape but it's a totally different type of stamina for 36 hour tuna trips, and going to the gym won't get you there. Yes, even a former sailor like my self gracefully bowed out, miss getting covered in salt from head to toe :)
Keep posting those reports so I can live vicariously through them.

[Pennsy Guy]

Thanks Andy, I'll try. I do miss those "AndyS NJF" sponsored Gambler tuna trips...

[tunajoe]

tuna fishing has changed over the years. we crushed them last year near the triples on many trips and did well this year at the AP. bottom line, the fall bite is not what is used to be. true, you will get a good report here and there, but for the most part, those days are few and far between. yellowfin fishing has changed. after all, many of the PB's on here fished earlier this year and did well when tuna fishing was hot - june, july, and early august. it just seems the fall chunk bite is not as consistent as it used to be. did anyone set up for swords?

[Pennsy Guy]

Yea Joe, 3 buddies did but but only one kinda knew what/how to. Plus, on the hook with the weather conditions & swing, it was near impossible to keep line somewhat straight down, even with 7-10# sash weights; think they had 20 oz. They didn't stay at it very long--given conditions...