On saturday I was one of 11 soon to be indoctrinated Tuna newbies who hesitantly boarded a Tuna Charter from Newport tradewinds.
About 8 of us booked as group to learn how to catch Tuna rather than waste time and money learning on our own.
All week I watched the weather, hoping the forecast would get better or the trip would be cancelled, because I am prone to becoming seasick.
Early saturday morning, we launched across a flat bar into an Ocean which looked fine. Only 3 boats headed to the Tuna Grounds, another 50ft charter, and what looked like a 27-30 feet Tolly type boat.
About 5-10 miles out the swells started getting closer and growing in size. From newport it was a long rough ride out to the Tuna grounds, just about everyone got sicked, but no one asked to turn back. The swells where large 8-10 feet in size, but even with the wind there wasn't alot of white caps.
As the gear was put out, most of us felt pretty sluggish, and beat up, wondering if it was even possible to bring a fish up in such a rough Ocean. At the deck hands shout of fish on, everyone jump up into action, we lost this first fish, but it didn't take long to find a second. Within minutes we have another one. As the boat dropped gear the captain had us drop swimbaits and iron from the side and bow of the the boat on lite spinning gear. Soon we had fish on the trolling and spinning gear all around the boat. I can see why tje captain uses this light stuff, you can really feel the power of and learn to respect these fish. From this one stop. We boated about 3 fish, all in the 25-30 lb class.
This process was repeated throughout the day.
We caught Tuna on Mexican Flag, Zucchini, Black Sablefish colored clones, swimbaits, and iron. But the most consistent bait seemed to be these large green rapala's trolled on the outside about 20 feet back. Repeatly this was the first rod to get hit.
We ended the day with total of about 20 tuna, losing at least 10-15 due to our experience at maintaining a tight line when the fish make a run towards the boat.
One the long ride home, everyone was tired and pretty much slept, the Ocean was alot nicer than when we started.
The sister charter boat than went out caught 27. One of the other charters on an 18 hr trip reported catching 60 using handlines.
All things considered, it was a great day to be out with friends. I'll post pictures as I get them from the other guys.
Newport Tuna 8/05/2006 (11 newbies indoctrinated)
ron m
Now you done it! there is no turning back now. 
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