Halloween Tuna
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:57 pm
Had some intel this week (from a few fishermen including Adrian) of a hell of a BFT bite on Stellwagon. The wind blew all week, and was gonna let up for a bit on Friday morning.
I contacted my buddy Jim whom was on the fence about going. He just lost a close nephew in the line of duty in Afghanistan last Wed. (on his B-Day) and he wasn't sure he was into this trip. My persistence to clear his mind and put him on a fish soon paid off.
On the road at 2:30 am for a two hour ride to the ramp. We launched, suited up in 27 degree weather, and made our way out on a beautiful Halloween morning under the star lit sky with shooting stars off to the East. We arrived on our spot about 6:00 AM for the false dawn. We could see dragger's working to the south on the radar, and some birds working to the South East.
We set out two rods off the stern corner flat lines with Rapala XRap Mag's. I deployed the outriggers, and was rigging a black squid bar with a slugo stinger. SNAP ZZZZZZZZZZZZ the new Avet 4/0 is screaming........"Jim we're tight" The fish is running and taking line. We clear the other rod and start the chase. We get in front of the fish after a 30 minute fight and we now have color 10-15 feet down, but the fish is tail wrapped He comes to the surface untwists himself and runs again. Back on the throttle chasing we head him off again and he pops like a cork and is on the surface now. I grab the gaff and sink it in. Now way I'm bringing this in alone. Jim grabs the other gaff and we muscle the fish into the boat........OH YEAH!!! We have a tuna door DAAAAAAAA!!! :lol:
We bleed the fish,ice it, and clear rods, rigs etc......
Take a look around and there are fish everywhere however the wind is now gusting 25-30 knots out of the West (a few hours earlier than it's suppose to) I ask Jim "what do you want to do"? He's content so we make our way into a howling head sea. We are punching through 5 footers with confused 7 footers. Water is going everywhere. We're getting hit broad side by waves, and dead on off the bow. Never once did I/Jim feel in jeopardy in any way. The boat muscled it's way through all 20 NM, and we pulled into the dock a 9:46 AM
Short but sweet Halloween trip 8)
Side note I love my AVET!!!!!
I contacted my buddy Jim whom was on the fence about going. He just lost a close nephew in the line of duty in Afghanistan last Wed. (on his B-Day) and he wasn't sure he was into this trip. My persistence to clear his mind and put him on a fish soon paid off.
On the road at 2:30 am for a two hour ride to the ramp. We launched, suited up in 27 degree weather, and made our way out on a beautiful Halloween morning under the star lit sky with shooting stars off to the East. We arrived on our spot about 6:00 AM for the false dawn. We could see dragger's working to the south on the radar, and some birds working to the South East.
We set out two rods off the stern corner flat lines with Rapala XRap Mag's. I deployed the outriggers, and was rigging a black squid bar with a slugo stinger. SNAP ZZZZZZZZZZZZ the new Avet 4/0 is screaming........"Jim we're tight" The fish is running and taking line. We clear the other rod and start the chase. We get in front of the fish after a 30 minute fight and we now have color 10-15 feet down, but the fish is tail wrapped He comes to the surface untwists himself and runs again. Back on the throttle chasing we head him off again and he pops like a cork and is on the surface now. I grab the gaff and sink it in. Now way I'm bringing this in alone. Jim grabs the other gaff and we muscle the fish into the boat........OH YEAH!!! We have a tuna door DAAAAAAAA!!! :lol:
We bleed the fish,ice it, and clear rods, rigs etc......
Take a look around and there are fish everywhere however the wind is now gusting 25-30 knots out of the West (a few hours earlier than it's suppose to) I ask Jim "what do you want to do"? He's content so we make our way into a howling head sea. We are punching through 5 footers with confused 7 footers. Water is going everywhere. We're getting hit broad side by waves, and dead on off the bow. Never once did I/Jim feel in jeopardy in any way. The boat muscled it's way through all 20 NM, and we pulled into the dock a 9:46 AM
Short but sweet Halloween trip 8)
Side note I love my AVET!!!!!