Riptide Charters

Today was a gift from Capt Jeff Smith of FinAddiction Charters. Two of Jeff's best customers wanted to get out for a 1/2 day and Jeff was tied up with prior engagements. So Jeff asked me if I could take out his VIP's and treat them as such. I aggreed and the trip was set. I met Eugene and Tyler at 0730 for a run out of Sandwich. The inital game plan was for bass, but with the tuna making a good show of things we were equiped for both.

We ran east and eventually found huge flocks of birds, huge bait balls and tons of bass and blues. The guys opted to look for Charlie rather than take the easy bass and blues that were rolling around us on the surface. So with that we eased out beyond the bass and blues and began the hunt.

We found HUGE bait balls, whales, birds and even the odd tuna break. It had all the fixings but it just was not coming together. So after two hours of chasing random breaks we opted to go back inside and catch some bass and blues to finish off the day on a high note. On the first cast the buys were tight to bass to 20# and blues to 10#. They were crushing topwater and swimmers.

As the guys bailed on the bass and blues, Capt. Dave Waldrip hailed me on the VHF from about 500 yards away. I could tell by the tone in his voice what he was seeing. "Riptide, get over here NOW.... HURRY HURRY....AS FAST AS YOU CAN!" I had the guys hang on and the big Contender raced towards the Relentless at top speed. As we closed on Capt Dave I could see the 100' ball of pogies on the surface getting squeezed tighter and tighter by HUGE tuna. Dave was drifting right at them and was affraid to start his motors back up for fear of scaring them. I pulled along side of Relentless just as the tuna decided to eat.

They unloaded on the hapless pogies with unbelievable fury! Fish from 100-300# were just crashing the solid ball of bait on top waiting to be eaten alive. My sports drilled casting in to the frenzy and both rods went off with screaming drags. The crew of Relentless cheered as the tuna missles streaked in opposite directions melting line off the big 950's. I fired up and eased away from Relentless so we wouldn't hang up on his boat.

The fights went on for over 30 minutes. Twice Eugene had his fish close only to have the fish streak away again and again. Tyler had a slob of a fish on and it just kept running away farther and farther. I couldn't help him without hurting Eugene so we sat dead boat as the fish did as they pleased. Eugenes fish nearly cut us off on the motors, but a fast trim job and Eugene being quick to open the bail to release tension when I hollered kept us in the game.

Both fish were getting closer and they were circling around the boat. Each time the guys did the over under around dance to keep the fish away from each other. One time the fish got together and we couldn't stop it. Before we could tell who was over and who was under Tyler's line popped as it slid against Eugene's. One fish lost but one still attached. Now with all the focus on Eugene's fish he was able to get him closer and closer. The fish was circling just out of range of the gaff. On the third or fourth circle the fish was JUST close enough and Eugene concerned his line might be damaged from the tangle yelled GAFF HIM! It was a deep, long reach for me to make, but I dove halfway over the gunnel and stuck the gaff as deep as I could and lifted. I felt the weight of the fish and knew I had stuck him. It wasn't a pretty shot but it was a solid hit with the gaff. Tyler helped me drag the 125#er up over the gunnel and onto the deck with a mighty THUD! 1 for 2 on some tuna that were really big for the spining gear. Both the guys were completely spent.

My camera was dead, but Eugene's was fully charged and we got some great photo's I'll have in a day or so. As the guys grabbed a cold drink I cleaned and dress the fish and set it on ice for the ride back home.

Final tally a half dozen bass to 20#, a bunch of blues from 5-10# and 1 for 2 on some big spinning gear tuna. The Bass and lues ate Salty Needles and Yo Zuri's. The tuna we lost ate a Maria Jig and the one we landed ate a Yellow and White Ocean Lure "SP"!!! I knew when I saw this lure it was going to be the hot tuna bait this season. This was the first time it was cast into breaking fish and it hammered a nice one! We have some "intertesting" photos of the fish and the lure I can't wait to post.

Overall justa killer 1/2 day "Bass Trip". Capt Jeff Smith had high standards for these two guys and I think we met them. Both Eugene and Tyler were awesome to fish with and they really know their stuff. it's a shame we broke off the other fish, but with fish this size thats going to happen from time to time on casting gear. Thanks to Capt Dave on Relentless for the call. I coudn't see the fish on the other side of his boat without his heads up. Congrats to he and his crew for landing a 66"er on the troll earlier in the day. Nice Father's Day gift for sure.

I've said it time and time again. When it comes to catching these tuna a good network of guys working together is the key to consistantly landing fish. These tuna move fast and the can move far, by having a bunch of guys looking for them together you can cover TONS more ground that you ever could alone.

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Good Luck,

Capt. Terry Nugent
Riptide Charters
www.riptidecharters.com

Soggy Dollars

Terry,
Thanks for an awesome post. Your charter guys must have been stoked!
Sounds like I need to drag my boat up north for a shot at a tuna on spinning gear.

On The Edge

Nice stand in for Jeff. I am sure the Jeff and the guys were more then happy with the results.

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Catch um up

1999 proline 2202 wa
1999 200 merc

talewalker

Great post and great day on the water - we were out there as well doing a first of the year shakedown. It was awesome seeing the busting BFT - we weren't geared up for them but did great on the Linesides. will be getting the BFT gear ready this week...

TaleWalker

Riptide Charters

Here are the pics!

__________________
Good Luck,

Capt. Terry Nugent
Riptide Charters
www.riptidecharters.com

Bob & Mag

Great pictures!

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Smoke free 8+ Months!