Gambler 36hr tuna

[Pennsy Guy]

Just back from a very unusual trip but then, this year it seems to be the norm. In his pre-boarding talk, Bob said he had a couple of ideas for this trip. Immediately think most of the regulars perked up with anticipation. We left the 'Squan inlet and turned left, kinda'. Said it was about 51/2-6hr to there, get some rest. @ 11:30 he slows, stops..a huge weed line--some real nice mahi--25-30@#--boated. After 1/2hr we continue eastward to a wreck, passing some pots, & make 4 drifts over it's area. 7-10 pollack boated by the boys-in-the-bow with everyone jigging. Then back East to the pots for more mahi...each produced...50+ total for both mahi stops...back east to our destination, set up a drift with nothing much happening---NOAA's forecast a little high with nice warm temps--short sleeve weather. A couple blue dogs show up, then 2-3 more-lots of "fish-on's" but all blues. We do get 1 "real one"-50# YFT...After a couple cut-offs, I get a strange hook-up, not a shark, not a tuna--little head shake but not that heavy--I'm flat-lining with 40# test, in comes a ray, foul-hooked & dragged in backwards...We move 5-6 mls to anchor for the night..Wind is lessening, we didn't go far enough, they're back & plague us rest of the night. 2 more yellows--40-45#--boated @ separate times I think, 1 on a boat pole, 1 jigged. Meanwhile, mates & guys are jigging all the squid one could want, bringing up 3 per lift, all 16"-20" with the occasional smaller 10-12", perfect tuna bait. Fishing a whole 20"er I picked up another mahi(7+/-#)--piggy wanted the whole thing-damn. I quit @ 4 AM--tired of losing rigs/line--I'll nap & wait for day break when day light drives the squid down & sharks away, Haha...told I'm like a 4 yo--going to take my toys away so I'll take a nap---SAY WHAT?? I can't sleep until the horn blows 3 times... over half the guys and gal are still @ the rail. Bob tell us we're going to drift--Edwin's reeling in with 60' to go, engines start, his rod doubles over, a 50# bird hits the deck then move 15-20 mins to drift. Wind has died to a whisper no wind waves/ripples & long period swells,some 8' but mostly 4-5'. Didn't move far enough, 2 are back and boy, it's hot--feels like 85-90* under a cloudless sky. Before we move again to run inshore , Duff gets hooked up , in comes another bird-35-40#. Weird, it was long, lean, didn't look like the others, the fat, rotunda-burgers we all love. Comparison:thinking Jack Russel to English Bulldog...even had a long tapered head but it was a longfin...2 hr run to where YFT's were caught before the blow--Bob heard report they were back. lines in, 2 run-offs, a Skippy and a big Brown shark. Water looked more like the Atlantic we know--more wind/waves...
Totals: 3YFT, 2LFT, 1Skippy, 50+ Mahi-mahi, several Pollock & White hake.
KUDOS to Capt. Bob for covering so much ocean to get us fish
KUDOS to 2nd Capt.'s Todd & Greg(capt74),1st mate Chris, Jill(office manager, cook) for expertise, pleasant attitude, to all of us.
Galley had excellent fare, as usual!!!
NOTES: @ night several juvenile Bluefins darting about, sucking up chummed chunks 10-15' under patrolling blue dogs--pretty cool...a few little guys caught/released.
No life first day/night except 1 porpoise swim-by & 1 on the way out, plus a juvenile yellowfin, caught/released...had a small Mako jump @ starboard stern corner, again 30' out up side @ & gone @ night.
Water temps71+* to 72+* throughout.
Each trip seems to get better--hopefully it'll keep building--weather permitting.

[Shamrock219]

Great report, thanks.

[WhaleFart]

Nice report and read, thanks for sharing.

[gnuisance]

Awesome report Chucky. Can't wait for next friday's trip. Fingers crossed we don't get blown out.

[Muldune]

Great report as always chucky

[shrimpman steve]

Great report. Wish the catchin was better for ya

[AndyS]

What time did you leave the dock ? Forgot to add in the Pollock on your fish total. Thanx for the in depth report, I know you wait all year for these trips.
Those squid are great eating !!

[nmc02]

Good report, crap fishing

[tunajoe]

Enjoyed the read Pennsy. Was rooting for you out there. Up and down the line, reports have been horrible. We are in a a pattern that has existed for at LEAST the last 6-7 years and it's not a good one. The fall tuna fishing is just not what it was. Wonder if it's due to over fishing by other countries, global warming, who knows?? These captains try hard - certainly not them. It seems that for every ONE good trip there are 10 poor ones. Good trip = AT LEAST 25 tuna on the decks - an average of ONLY 1 per person. How many trips over the last 5-7 years have you heard of where 25+ tuna (good sized not small ones) were caught? It seems like the days of 50-60-70 tuna per trip are long gone. Yes, there are certainly some, but they are fewer and farther between. You can see the PB's changing their fishing patterns (spending more time on mahi and tiles) because fall tuna fishing has totally sucked. Shout out to the captains for doing that and trying to at least put some fish on the decks.

[AndyS]

You are certainly correct BUT, I see some reports from charter boats in June, July and August where they seem to fill the holds. I'm at a loss over the whole thing also.