Newbie story-"Tuna bite of a lifetime"

[fishing2]

Hello Salty Dogs:

Looks like tuna fishing is alive and well in the NW!

Here’s the story, from a couple of summers ago. Fishing on a boat named “First String”, out of San Diego. About 170 miles out, on day 2 of a 3 day trip, for albacore. Early morning troll when the rods “go off” and the sound of “fish on”. Mad dash to the bait well, as tuna are “boiling” all around us. This is the beginning of what turns out to be a nearly 6 hour bite. Skipper shuts the boat down, we are the only boat in sight and there are fish everywhere. Blood and fish on the deck, as the deck hands, including the co-captains cannot keep up, with the gaffs.

After three solid hours, everyone is tired, but we keep fishing. Every time I think that I have had "enough", I go back to the bait well for “one more fish”! 5 hours in and the bite is still on. It’s getting so ridiculous that the deck hands are fishing there lightest gear, along with the skippers. Even putting bait on the gaffs and the fish are boiling on the bait.

Finally, after nearly 6 hours, the skipper announces that we better stop fishing so the crew can get a count. Skipper calls in another boat as we have limited the boat for a 3 day trip, on the morning of day 2!!

We begin the long trip back to San Diego, at a leisurely pace, as the crew begins to clean up. Skipper even shuts the boat down at dark and we free drift for the rest of the night. One of the most calm and peaceful experiences I have ever had on the ocean. The crew continues to work thru most of the night processing the fish.

I asked the skippers, after things finally calm down, how often they have seen this kind of bite and they tell me that it was the “bite of a lifetime”. The screen on the side sonar had been totally lit up and skippers said we must have been in a school of albacore that numbered in to the thousands!!!!

Take a moment and try to imagine what I am saying as I can’t find a way to relate to you what an experience it was.

I have done a 2-3 trip each summer for the last few years and fished several different boats. Would love to book a 2-3 day trip, on a boat named Excel. First class boat with all 2-3 man bunk rooms and all the creature comforts. Check it out at Excel Sportfishing, on the web.

I won’t make it this summer as my son is getting in Cancun in August. My soon to be daughter-in-law planned the wedding during prime tuna season (what was she thinking???). Good thing I love them so much.

Perhaps a trip later this year or the summer of 2008, if anyone is interested? I would enjoy doing the trip, with some new found “tunaholics”, from the NW.

Not usually so windy, and need to get my blood pressure back to normal so will sign off and look forward to hearing from some of you.

Fish on!!!

Ed (fishing2)

[Moldy45]

Great story! Welcome aboard

[FisherJack]

Welcome to ifish, Ed. Glad to have you aboard. Thanks for the tuna tale. It is always great fishing for them; but you had a truly epic day!

[Jon55]

There is a certain kind of exhaustion that feels so good and is so much fun. Ya gotta keep in shape before an adventure like that! Thanks for the story and welcome aboard.

[HOGGEMIN]

Welcome aboard and a great story that hopefully more of us might encounter. I have been on the Red Rooster III twice and am booked for January 2008.

[Booja 1]

Boy now that's a pretty passable "stop" .. Make the trip in one stop. Amazing. The Excel is a fish catching machine ,,,,just got a new skipper too.

Maybe you can see about fishing in Cancun when you're down there on official business..........

Great fish story..............

[Tower Todd]

Welcome. Sounds like a blast.

Tower Todd

[the apprentice]

Welcome aboard hope to see ya on the water

[fishing2]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Hope to have an opportunity to meet some of you Salty Dogs before summer.

FYI I own a 20 ' Thunderjet O/B. Great for the rivers and bays. Never been "outside" except for the jetty at Tillamook. I now live in Portland and Lincoln City. Not sure I am ready to try Depoe Bay on my own yet?

Would love to hook up with someone for the tuna run this summer ( and I am sure there are probably alot of others that want to do the same).

I do know my way around a boat and have fished for tuna, so let me know if someone is looking for a hand. I also understand sharing the costs and cleanup/maintenance ,when the fun is over.

FISH ON!

Ed

[fyshndad]

Welcome to ifish ED
You will make great friends and memories here

I sent you a PM

[BaitStop]

The First String 1 of H & M landings.

[Stowaway]

Welcome to the site! Great story.