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.