November tuna

On The Edge · 11-05-2008, 09:30 AM

After being blown out on Sunday

Hoop called Monday mid morning with a promising weather forcast for Tuesday

. With some gentle proding and a little bullshiting he talked me into taking a day off to go

. Did a little shifting of work schedules and had to work a little late monday night and the rest of the week but worth it for a shot at some late season BFT..
This trip was going to be a "return the favor trip" for Will (Get Reel). Will took hoop and I out for an increadable day of toggin on Sat. He put us on our limit of togs, most being in the 5 to 7 lb class but a few corker chins breaking 10 lbs. We were then going to take him and buddy Paul for a day of tuna fishing up on the bank on Sunday. We splashed on sunday in plymouth and as we poked our noses out around the gurnet we were met with a ugly NW wind and white topped 4' to 5's with a few bigger ones tossed in to add insult to injury.. That was not happening so we headed for the barn with out ever wetting a line.. Mission scrubbed

Now yesterday however was a completely different animal out there. Lite SW breeze bright sunny skies and 46 degrees at 5am makes for a perfect November day to go fishing in New England.

We met Will and Paul in Plymouth at 5AM splashed the boat and were headed out under the cover of darknness. Plan was to stop off the gurnet to see if we could put a few macks in the livewell for slow trolling. Mission Acomplished.

Hoop set a coarse for the SW corner and I went below and made up some liveing and slow trolling rigs for the macks.. 45 mins later we are on station with approx 30 other boats, 4 working boats, acres of birds, enought bait to feed thousands of tuna for weeks and alot of very hungry whales. It's all good.

We Set the riggers and deployed the 5 rod slow trolling spread including sluggos, live macks, diving plug.

Trolled among about 30 other boats with a few hooking up really early and saw 2 other boats hook up but no joy for us. After a few hours we finaly get our shot and the starboard long rigger goes pop FISH ON

just as the rod starts to scream drag the Port long rigger pops but the fish never comes tight. Swing and a miss.

Hoop is at the helm, Paul and I are clearing rods, and Will is belted up and on the fish like white on rice. 20 min and the fish is at boat side. Paul has leader in hand and i am waiting for the gaff shot and POP Parted leader 12" from the hook. Clean break, chaffing or curlie line just a clean break.
Heartbreaker for sure but that is the game. Leadered fish so we are 1 for 1 with a release not of our choice..

Reset the spread and trolled for hours without another sniff. Things just seemed todie except for the whale show which was worth the price of admission. I don't care how many times you see bubble feeding humpbacks it never gets old when it is up close and personal (Less then 100 feet away)

Will got to smell Whale Breath

Saw a few familiar boats out there Working hard for thier clients, Capt. Dave (Relentless) and Capt. Dom Nice dusky Dom.

After watching the fleet pretty much break up on the SW corner by early afternoon and no good chatter on the radio we desided ot make a 10 mile move ot find some feeding fish. Pulled up and hoop ran us around the back side hopping for some feeding fish.. 20 mins later we are setting the spread which as become mostly meat. No sooner do we get the spread set the long starboard rigger go off FISH ON

. Hoop is still at the helm and this time Will and i clear rods while Paul Belts in and gets on the fish. This fis is a little more fiesty and give paul a workout for almost 40 mins. After the last parted leader we desided to get out the Poon.
We get this fish boat side i get leader in hand and Will Nails it hard in the gill plate but it doesnt stick. We are still hooke up so we swing it around for a second shot and will nails it again deep in the head. This time it stick but as he is pulling it back to the boat the dart pulls again. Again we are still hooked up so paul was able to pull in to with in Gaff range and i got a hook into her.
A little stumbling and fumbling but this fish is hauled over the side and game over.. She tapped out at 58 1/2".

2 for 2 We tail roped her and droped her over the side for the bleeding and cooling while we cleaned the deck and reset the spread.
While setting one of the first long riggers i had a swing and a miss on a live mack while paying out line. Get the spread set and after 15 mins or so we desided to dress and pack the fish in the bag.. Hauled her back on baord and Will had the honors of cutting out the gill rakes and gutting her. We packed her full of ice packed her in the bag and covered her with ice and zipped it up. @ 58 1/2 inched everything fit jin ther bag but the fork tail.. Shortly after getting the fish in the bag and cleand up we here that sound again POP ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ FISH ON #3

This time I take the helm, Will and Paul clear rods, and Hoop mans the rod. I gotta tell ya after that Battle with the 209 pound big eye that went 1 hour on a 50VSW Hoop is a different man. He made this cookie cutter 58" fish his BITCH in less then 10 mins from the time he picked up the rod to the time it was released at boat side and we were resetting the spread..
Pretty sweet rod work there Hoop..

Well we reset the spread with hopes of getting 1 more hookup so everyone had a turn on the rod but daylight was burning and it didn't happen. I am very cool with not getting on the rod. As i told Hoop the day before it was my turn to be pit monkey and everyone else would be on the rod before me.. Hoop and I really wanted to hook Will and Paul up with a nice BFT this season. Will has had us out on his boat several times and is a great guy and fisherman. After 2 canyon runs and a some great toggin this was the least we could do..

Tally for the day was 1 kept at 58 1/2", 2 realease at boat side about the same size (Cookie cutters) and 2 swings and misses) We had a great weather window, warm and sunny skies, a whale show that people pay money to see, BFT Steaks For everyone, and the best crew of guys i could hope to fish with .. If this is the end of the season for me i can honestly say i am good for the season.Ending it on a high like this is al one can ask for..

Hoop You gonna have to do the PIC thing..

Get Reel · 11-05-2008, 09:54 AM

Great day...nice report! The only thing missing was the all out tuna blitz to throw a popper into. I want to try and break a spinning rod on these fish before they get too big.

There are plenty more tog out there! We have to better Chris's 24" fish. I know they are out there, especially after Albatross had that 16#'er with Inheritance.

Thanks for the day,
Will

Stew · 11-05-2008, 11:03 AM

John and Hoop, you guys had a great day! Wow, you can actually catch tuna after 10 am and away from the fleet

Way to go guys. Great read and a well deserved day. I know this season didn't work out for you John due to many reasons, but a day like that can make up for alot. Nice job brother!!! Capt. Eric

AlloyToy · 11-05-2008, 11:20 AM

WTG guys, awesome report

On The Edge · 11-05-2008, 11:40 AM

Thanks for the intell John. We did not get out when we wanted ot but we made it happen eventualy.

Stew, Thanks brother...it was a good day that we needed after a less then stellar season..
Chris and I will be seeing you this winter. We have some restocking and re rigging to do. And will be making some additions to the arsonal as well..

Note to self. Fish figh different in shallow water..

"He who dies with the most gear wins"...

hoopa drives the boat · 11-05-2008, 11:56 AM

Great day on the water with some great guys who love to fish is priceless. I now remenber how much I love to tug on BFT.

Watchin 2 Portiguessssssss cut up a tuna is classic. Wasn't sure if the fish was gonna make it in the baggies. lol.....

Will, enjoy the sushi. It was a pleasure fishing with you and Paul again. (Remember "Just walk it but the grille")

The bloody deck photo is for Arc Tek.

Get Reel · 11-05-2008, 12:18 PM

[quote=hoopa drives the boat;56654]
Watchin 2 Portiguessssssss cut up a tuna is classic. Wasn't sure if the fish was gonna make it in the baggies. lol.....

quote]

Bet you never saw a tuna rack you could see through before...the crabs aren't going to be pleased with what we left!

On The Edge · 11-05-2008, 12:23 PM

The right guys were definately on the knives Will

..

Get Reel · 11-05-2008, 01:59 PM

Fresh tog and BFT all week...good stuff!

Got Tog?

Seaworm1 · 11-05-2008, 07:01 PM

Sounds like a stellar day was had by all, nice work with the multi fish day

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