Riptide Charters

Today I had Bruce and his Dad out for a Father's Day charter. We've fished together for bass inthe past, but with the tuna around I offered them another option. At 0500 we met in Bourne and trailered to Chatham. The plan was being made up as we went due to the wind. I figured at least we'd check things out and maybe get breakfast if the wind was too much.

We splashed in Chatham at around 0600 and we ran out through the bay. The channel was alright until we hit the cut. If I was hesitant before, the overturned 28' boat on the sandbar next to the cut made me a bit more iffy about this crossing. Slow and steady we went unti lwe cleared the bar and its shallow water. Then it was off to look for Charlie.

We ran a short distance and found miles of birds and a few whales. It looked good so we went lines in. The guys had never tuna fished before but they were a big help with steering the boat and working the rods while I set line and rigged.

It wasn't long before I looked back and 30' off the left corner and a 55 gallon drum with fins came slashing accross the wake with fins up and half it's body out of the water. It piled onto the Offshore Inovations Green Monster Bar and just left a huge hole in the water. The 30 began to scream and Bruce grabbed the rod. He worked the fish hard for about 15-20 minutes. He got it close and I was able to leader and gaff, while his Dad sunk the backup gaff to help lift the fish into the boat. The tale of the tape 54". Not bad for Bruce's first tuna ever!!!




Next it was Dad's turn. We got the boat "sort of" clean and got back on the troll. We had several near misses as the fish would blow up on a bar and never get the hook. I jockey'd the boat to draw another strike but they were not interested. This happened numerous times and while very exciting it's a bit frustrating that they swing and missed so many times.

Finally we ran over a pile of fish and I told the guys to get ready. In 5 ,4 , 3, 2, 1 FISH ON!!!! DOUBLE, another Miss, a fourth miss!!!!! Two rods down and two reels screaming. Soon the fish crossed and the spectra sliced off the mono, now were were down to one fish. Dad went to work and this fish was a bruiser. He worked the fish close quickly but the up and down battle was a slugfest. I spun the boat round and round while Dad leaned back into the fish with full drag to try to break the circles. In about 20 minutes the fish came up and I was able to lip gaff it for a few pics. It was around 60" on a quick tape in the water. Then we slow trolled the fish along side until the color came back and we released it.











We had several more swings and misses and one more hookup that broke the stinger line on my bar just above the hook bait. The line was 180# and the break came shortly after the first run. My guess is one of the monter blues from yesterday nicked the line and I failed to catch it. I don't think the tuna would have done it that quickly. Either way we lost it.

Finally it was time to head for home. The final tally was 2 - 4 on hookups and another dozen near misses that never felt the hook. A ton of action all on Offshore Inovation Green Monsta Bars. Speed was 6.5-7.1 mph. All positions got hit, but the short corners got the most action. Water was 200' deep and was 55-57 degrees.

Overall just a killer show. I was short handed with a novice crew and no mate but we made due and we put some solid fish in the boat. The guys did a great job on fish this size. I hope this action locally keeps up. Fish of this size and in these numbers is awesome. Watching them eat 30' off the transom on the surface is burned into my mind FOREVER!!!!!

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Good Luck,

Capt. Terry Nugent
Riptide Charters
www.riptidecharters.com

Captain Curt

Sounds like an awesome day great report. nice pictures

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Capt.Curt Maxon
www.relentlesscharters.com
"we are a full service charter boat"

sashimi

That is so awsome happy for you and wow what a fathers day

gman

WOW...what a fathers day, congrats on the fish and day. Glad to see you got into the fish

Reel Draggin' Tackle

Now THATS a Fathers DAY!

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hoopa drives the boat

Congrats Terry. That sounds like the best Father's day gift a fish addict could get.

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Chris - "hoop"
26' Triton Walk w/ twin 200hpdi
"Here's to swimmin with bowlegged women"