big tuna, what if?

[ron m]

OK, for the sake of my edification, let us suppose that we get a large tuna, say 200 lb, to the boat. Then what? I've got a short handle gaff (4 or 5 ft handle) and a SS gaff with a 1 ft handle. I don't see us getting a big tuna in the boat using these, at least not easily. I have a harpoon (which I usually don't have on board for tuna trips), but I think it has to go thru the fish for the point to hold. Getting a rope with a noose in it around the head of the fish and getting it tight enough to hold at the tail seems like it would have a small chance of success. So, if we get one to the boat, what do we do to get it in the boat?

it would be smart to get somebody to get a pic while it's at the boat just in case, but I think we'd all be pretty busy!

ron m

[bajadan2000]

For boats with a good strong arch or hardtop, maybe it is time to start packing a come-a-long..

[Sublime]

Originally Posted by ron m

it would be smart to get somebody to get a pic while it's at the boat just in case, but I think we'd all be pretty busy!

ron m

This is where 'I' come in!

[Moldy45]

Originally Posted by ron m

OK, for the sake of my edification, let us suppose that we get a large tuna, say 200 lb, to the boat. Then what? I've got a short handle gaff (4 or 5 ft handle) and a SS gaff with a 1 ft handle. I don't see us getting a big tuna in the boat using these, at least not easily. I have a harpoon (which I usually don't have on board for tuna trips), but I think it has to go thru the fish for the point to hold. Getting a rope with a noose in it around the head of the fish and getting it tight enough to hold at the tail seems like it would have a small chance of success. So, if we get one to the boat, what do we do to get it in the boat?

it would be smart to get somebody to get a pic while it's at the boat just in case, but I think we'd all be pretty busy!

ron m

Ron seems like I am out there when you are alot so if you get that big thing give a holler I will take care of the problem for you

[bait boy]

in this case Ron, i'd tail rope and gill rope, and stick it on your swim platform or tie between 2 cleats head first. Then head for tha barn.. or you could tail rope into the boat.

[Grady252]

I have pulled 90 lb Halibut into the boat by myself... I think with another persons help we could pull a 200# in the boat...especially with the adrenalin pumping..... it also shouldn't be to hard to rope it. I carry about 4 gaffs on my boat, so if I were you I would add a couple more gaffs just in case you need the group effort.

[julezilla]

Maybe a makeshift sling could be made out of a t-shirt and a couple ropes? I'd imagine a couple guys could hoist a 200 lb.'er into the boat that way.

And moldy - did you make that?

[SecondSeason]

common 200 lbs is not a problem. lets not over think this. in ak halibut hit the decks all the time in this range. its not a problem unless it is green and not tired out at the time of a gaff stick.

time to cap it, its the american way.....

[Chromaflage]

I'm thinking high velocity 9mm brain spike, then anything you can do to wrangle, hog-tie, hoist, lift, etc. I'd be more worried about how to ice that sucker down.

[northriver1]

Originally Posted by Grady252

I have pulled 90 lb Halibut into the boat by myself... I think with another persons help we could pull a 200# in the boat...especially with the adrenalin pumping..... it also shouldn't be to hard to rope it. I carry about 4 gaffs on my boat, so if I were you I would add a couple more gaffs just in case you need the group effort.

Just curious how would one go about hauling or pulling a live 200 pound tuna in the boat. Looking for the details here. Don't think grabbing the tail is going to work. Other than by gaff I have never seen a 200 pounder come in a boat unless there was a tuna door. Me, I would try and put a 1/2 inch rope around the tail and drag it to death.

A month or so ago a salmon shark spent 25 minutes around our boat. The fish was 7 feet long and very big around the belly. When I say big I mean BIG. As we just finished up tuna fishing we spent a fair amount of time attempting to hook the fish. Looking back I am sure glad we failed. That fish would have kicked our arse back to the stone age. I would think a little experience with large fish might be in order before one goes hog hunting. But than again it is hard to get that kind of experiece here in Oregon. JUST DIVE IN.

[Taylor's viewpoint]

Why don't you just open the door to the swim deck and bring it in through the door?
TV

[little doc]

I think I need bigger reels before I need to worry about how to get it into the boat.

[treebutcher]

all in all.
This is a great problem to dream about!

[Woody]

I caught my 165lb marlin on a Penn 4/0. I know they don't fight the same as a tuna, but I think the right guy on the rod and a good skipper backing down on it, it can be done.

As far as getting in on the boat.......ever watch Sharkhunters? Two or three good gaffers and a good leaderman could control it long enough to get a tail rope on it. At that point, when it's under control, you could bleed it right there. After it's dead, muscle it over the gunnel, or onto the swim-step, or just tow it back.

Or, Like my buddy John said what I asked him, what if? He just said "Get the hell out my way, it IS coming on the boat!!"

[Mello-Yello]

As with large halibut, I'd like to think you get a rope around it's tail and from that point forward you take over ownership.

Seconds after the rope around it's tail and a 9mm brainspike puts a period on the sentence.

200lbs. shouldn't be an issue dragging into the boat, but if it is...tie it off alongside the boat and start your own parade.

Really, whether I ever get to actually attempt this...who knows. But I would give me left....ear lobe to try it.

oh.......and hi!

M-Y

[Pilar]

You read the story or maybe saw the movie. Tie it to the boat and go just a little faster than the sharks.

Can't wait to do a little thinking on my feet when I get Mr. Big to the boat. Nothing like a little pressure to focus your attention.

[thehunt]

Originally Posted by ron m

OK, for the sake of my edification, let us suppose that we get a large tuna, say 200 lb, to the boat. Then what? I've got a short handle gaff (4 or 5 ft handle) and a SS gaff with a 1 ft handle. I don't see us getting a big tuna in the boat using these, at least not easily. I have a harpoon (which I usually don't have on board for tuna trips), but I think it has to go thru the fish for the point to hold. Getting a rope with a noose in it around the head of the fish and getting it tight enough to hold at the tail seems like it would have a small chance of success. So, if we get one to the boat, what do we do to get it in the boat?

it would be smart to get somebody to get a pic while it's at the boat just in case, but I think we'd all be pretty busy!

ron m

Just get two more gafs. Stick the fish with all of them and lift him in!!

[tracker]

I think you all are missing something here! A little call on the radio and you are going to have all the help and advice you will need. Watched some friends in a small 13 1/2" gregor catch and control a 125lb marlin. Could not bring in the boat because of the weight. It made it back to shore on the side of a 16' boat! I need to look for that picture!

[Payne]

Time to break out the harpoon and a BIG buoy

[Wolf EEL]

When I was commerical fishing and we got a 25lb+ skipper would always take out the 22 and pop him in the head even if u missed the fish would just roll over and no more fight, every fish in that range was a 100 dollar bill. I know that a silver doesnt act that way it just goes crazy, but a king it just stuns them, easy to gaff then. Dont know what a tuna would do, never had too, never got one that big. Biggest ones we got were out of san fran catalina islands 70lbs, dont let them sound on u. Takes 2 people to pull them back up. Cold water tunas, didnt get many but I remember each one, what a hoot. Dont know if is legal to shoot fish, I never did it my skipper is guilty. But he is no longer here no more.

[blueriverjerry]

You need to invest in an 80 wide 2 speed reel and appropriate rod or it'll never be a problem.

Backing down doesn't work so well for me. The last big tuna I hooked was with 20lb tackle and it spooled me..330 yards straight down. It slowed down once with maybe 200 yards out but first pump and there went the rest of my line. Probably a bigeye or bluefin and more in the 100lb class most likely. Oh, well.

[HORSEMIN]

When you get to 400#. Then you have a problem. 200# is like pulling myself out of the water. Get a couple of ropes and a buddy.

[fish_on]

I hope 200#s wouldn't be too hard, I think it would be like bringing the average overboard crew member back if they were for some reason unable to help in their own rescue. if we can't get a 200# fish back, James is going to have to be towed to shore if he ever goes over

[Herring Problem]

Probalby have a heart attack right there on the spot!

[retaliate]

Originally Posted by Chromaflage

I'm thinking high velocity 9mm brain spike, then anything you can do to wrangle, hog-tie, hoist, lift, etc. I'd be more worried about how to ice that sucker down.

I pretty sure a #200 Tuna won't fit in any of my Coolers. Possibly would fit into one of the Bench seats with the Tail removed, would need to Insulate the Bench seat with 1" closed cell foam first, as well as get bigger Gear than what I currently have.

[Nalu]

As blueriverjerry said....unless you have the right rod and reel, it's not going to be a problem.

As far as bringing a 200# fish in the boat...that's really not a big problem with a couple people on board. I've had that quandary with a number of fish that size and larger and 2-3 people can accomplish it no problem.

Finally..... What is the deal with guns? I'm totally stunned why some people really feel that they need use guns to do the final dispatch of fish. Yes, in Alaska a 410 snakecharmer is used for a final pop on large halibut, but besides that, what the heck? A 410 also delivers a blast and spray as opposed to a high velocity projectile like a 9mm.

A good rope, a tail drag, bleeding in the water, followed by bringing in the boat is systematic, safe, and effective.

I heard more than one "pop" out halibut fishing this year. Scared the crap out of me. Do what you want, but honestly, guns and fishing don't mix in my book, especially when there is a perfectly good, and safer, alternative.

[fishwhenican]

I really wouldn't want to tail rope a big tuna. Point the head in the direction you want them to go, and let the tail do some of the work. How do you think they bring the cows in on the long range boats.

[FASTWATER]

Exactly what Nalu said I use a flying gaff thou which is a gaff on a rope connected to a handle alot easier holding on to a rope than a gaff handle on a thrashing cow on most boats they just use regular gaffs but my younger days of manhandling huge bluefin my dad liked the flying gaffs so that is what I am use to plus you can cinch the rope off to a cleat also!!!PEACE

[ron m]

I guess I better get another gaff.

To put a tail rope on a tuna, do you put it on over the head and slide it back or put it on around the tail after it's gaffed?

I have a fair sized reel, an Avet EX Wide. That durn post about the garbage can size tuna got into me a couple of years ago, I lost my senses and got what I thought was a reel with a chance to handle the biggerr fish.
ron m

[Onokai]

This is what a flying gaff is for. I do not have one but do have a door off the swim step/ And do pack several gaffs and plenty of line.
Mike said (Finally..... What is the deal with guns?) I agree wih him on this one as well- Maybe Mike folks are worried about pirates with all those disney pirate films-chest's of gold and all. The only gold I have aboard is the gold reels and thats just brass. Mark

[Reel Obsession]

Kinda like a big hali, biggest problem isn't getting it aboard, it's what happens when you do. I'd spike it, spike it again, then spike it again just for good measure. I also always carry the harpoon, just never know what you'll run into that you don't want hanging on just your line for too long....

[Nalu]

Originally Posted by fishwhenican

I really wouldn't want to tail rope a big tuna. Point the head in the direction you want them to go, and let the tail do some of the work. How do you think they bring the cows in on the long range boats.

My point of the tail rope was simply about control. Flying gaff as mentioned, and tail rope and you can control just about any fish without it going berserk.

My experience with large 200+ lb fish is limited to halibut, but any fish that is restrained in the water allows you to slow down and think calmly about how to proceed next.

[ron m]

OK, I should have done a google search first. here are a couple of sites I found about using flying gaffs.

http://www.boatersworld.com/static/b.../big-fish.html

http://www.nzgamefishing.com/go2/how_tos_flying_gaff/

ron m

[packer]

i built some insulated tuna kill bags that are 30" x 65" with handles . it would be easy to slide a tuna into one and hoist him in

[Chromaflage]

Originally Posted by Nalu

Finally..... What is the deal with guns? I'm totally stunned why some people really feel that they need use guns to do the final dispatch of fish.

Mike sometimes you take me way to seriously, brother.



CrF

[Moldy45]

Originally Posted by Chromaflage

Mike sometimes you take me way to seriously, brother.



CrF

I feel your pain Kerry,I feel I am always taken seriously here

[Nalu]

Kerry- Not sure if you were serious or not, but remember....LOTS of people read the threads on ifish. Lurkers, as well as posters. This year for the first time I started hearing gunshots out where I halibut fish. I about fell overboard when one went off probably 50 yards away from my boat on a particularly busy Saturday. To see the less than 50" fish pulled aboard after that could only make me shake my head......

YOU might be joking about a 9mm to subdue a fish, but someone else might think the idea is perfectly fine.

[Onokai]

Things that float (boats) and guns (bullets) are a bad mix-its just a matter of time then you will know why. Things often do not go as planned. Mark

[Chromaflage]

Mike, that would have been an excellent PM!

YOU might be joking about a 9mm to subdue a fish, but someone else might think the idea is perfectly fine.

Obviously, based on what you described, someone took it seriously prior to my joking about it. If it's getting to the point where we can't have a little fun on here for fear that someone MIGHT take it seriously - what's the point?

Let's take any further discussion on this to PM.

CrF

[Reel Obsession]

Originally Posted by packer

i built some insulated tuna kill bags that are 30" x 65" with handles . it would be easy to slide a tuna into one and hoist him in

Packer, built, or bought the bags? I just bought one that size, was trying to figure out about how many iced 20-25 lb albies I could sqeeze in.

[Threemuch]

Harpoon doesn't need to go through the fish to toggle, it will toggle in the body cavity and through a gillplate. I would harpoon it for sure, probably twice, and then tail rope it. get a gaff in the head and have all three four sould on board heave it over the rail.

[crabbait]

Threemuch - Don't count on a harpoon toggling when stuck through a gill plate. The gill rakers tend to keep the tip aligned with the hole. When you apply pressure, the head pops right out. This can be very disappointing on a 60"+ fish. Don't ask....

[Threemuch]

Originally Posted by crabbait

Threemuch - Don't count on a harpoon toggling when stuck through a gill plate. The gill rakers tend to keep the tip aligned with the hole. When you apply pressure, the head pops right out. This can be very disappointing on a 60"+ fish. Don't ask....

BFB has a pretty small space in between the gillplates compared to a cow. The first would be into the body cavity. The second would be in the head. I am pretty sure the ones I make would toggle.

[Triple C]

Hey Ron I can bring my Sawsall down and we can cut you a big door in your transom. I keep a sturgeon tailer onboard. That big snare should help keep things under control.

[Two Fister]

Originally Posted by Reel Obsession

Kinda like a big hali, biggest problem isn't getting it aboard, it's what happens when you do. I'd spike it, spike it again, then spike it again just for good measure. I also always carry the harpoon, just never know what you'll run into that you don't want hanging on just your line for too long....

I think that's a really good point. It's not going to be like a peanut flapping it's tail on the deck. A 200 pounder might do some damage if it's not DOA when it comes aboard. Might be one thing on one of the big Gradys or Mavs Maxcat, but some of the decks on the smaller boats will be pretty crowded with a 200 pound cow taking up space.

If that thing starts flapping around I think the dance floor would be way more like a mosh pit...

M-Y, good to see you posting!
TF

[26striper]

Here's a pic from the Royal Polaris, out of San Diego. About a 200 lb'er.

[Seelicious]

This is how Archer told me to do it...

keep the boat moving slowly forward...sink at least two gaffs in the head (Tracker that is the part of the fish with eye balls) and pin that son of a beach to the side of the boat...3rd guy takes the club and gives the fish a wood shampoo...add the 3rd gaff and over the rail you go!

[Zodiac-Fisherman]

Archer is correct.

Keep the boat in gear, keep the fish swimming towards you, and leader the fish into gaffing range. We ran 20' 150lb Fluoro leader for large fish down south. Never allow a bend in the leader,(wrapping of leader around your hands) any bend is a breaking point. Sometimes it will take 45 mins to get the fish within gaffing range from the moment you leader a large fish. Try not to let go of the leader, if you do so, you may end up fighting the tuna for several more hours and the possibility of loosing the fish greaters.
Some large tuna come in easelly, and others go nuts at the boat, running 10+kts with a cow 4-5ft under the boat, headed straight for the props 10pm at night hardly any visability with the prop wash moments like these are unreal. Its hard to turn a large tuna, so your best bet is to keep it swimming parralel to the boat and carefully inch it into gaffing range.
Flying gaf goes in first, the bone structure from the gillplate forward is pretty thick, be prepared to give it all you got to sink in a 10' flying gaf! 2-3 6footers are then used to inch the fish into the boat, its not that hard when you've got 3 guys each with a gaf. I must reccomend a stubby baseball bat for killing cows.
Would be awesome if all tuna were this easy to land, here is a 300+lb'er

Heres a good example of why to keep the boat in gear. Awesome lit up blue that was released.

[ron m]

Good info, thanks folks. Guess a flying gaff and another gaff or two are in my near future. Already have the stubby BB bat.

Maybe a kill bag, just in case. Could always use it for albies too!

I kinda figured out already to keep the boat moving forward, it helps a lot even with albacore, they don't do the death spiral so much then.

Somebody is gonna hook one of the biggies this year, hopefully many of us and some will be landed too! How's that for a prediction?

You folks that also fish down south will probably define a biggie as over 200 lbs, to me it'll be anything over 50 lb.!
ron m

[FishGitter]

Originally Posted by ron m

Good info, thanks folks. Guess a flying gaff and another gaff or two are in my near future. Already have the stubby BB bat.

Maybe a kill bag, just in case. Could always use it for albies too!

ron m

One other thing I have seen used on large fish when they are not usually anticipated. Get a BIG (shark?) hook attached to about 15' of 3/8" line. This can be stored easily. When a big fish is near the boat, tie off the line and hook the fish. It now is not going anywhere. Continue with spike or wood shampoo as needed. When ready to bring on board, use the ocean waves to help it get moving toward the rail and drag it on board.

[5 Salt]

Originally Posted by blueriverjerry

You need to invest in an 80 wide 2 speed reel and appropriate rod or it'll never be a problem.

Backing down doesn't work so well for me. The last big tuna I hooked was with 20lb tackle and it spooled me..330 yards straight down. It slowed down once with maybe 200 yards out but first pump and there went the rest of my line. Probably a bigeye or bluefin and more in the 100lb class most likely. Oh, well.

What he said.....

200lb tuna is a beast and will require lots of line 1500yrds would be a good start. Particularly if you hook him in 150ftm or deeper.

As to your question - flap open the transome door and two guys on 6ft gaffs would make shot work. Have video of three guys dragging 605lb blue fin through transom door without much hassle.

[retaliate]

Originally Posted by Chromaflage

Mike, that would have been an excellent PM!



Obviously, based on what you described, someone took it seriously prior to my joking about it. If it's getting to the point where we can't have a little fun on here for fear that someone MIGHT take it seriously - what's the point?

Let's take any further discussion on this to PM.

CrF

I have never used a Gun to Subdue a Halibut either, & in fact still use a Gaff even on the big ones, A #200 Tuna might be a bit of a struggle on a Gaff or two or three in my little boat...so there has to be some way to subdue the Beast before attempting to bring on board?

[Teton]

wood-shampoo: N.Y.P.D. To beat an unruly suspect about the head and shoulders with a policeman's baton.
Example: He took a swing at me when I was cuffing him, so I gave him a wood-shampoo.

[OK Deal Let\'s Fish]

Caught a 191 lb halibut in Alaska last year.

Captain dropped the harpoon and all we had left was a shark hook with rope tied to it. We got the fish up close and hooked the shark hook in its mouth then applied wood/aluminum shampoo liberally. When it was out we cut its gills and two of us drug it over the side with the rope.

It was not as hard as you think once you get the fish to the rail it sort of slips in the boat. We then hog tied it in case it decided to wake up.

[saman]

Not sure if "off the coast of CC" means 40 miles or 400 but it sure sounds good.



From Port of Brookings.

July 24th, 2007 - The tuna fishing is still doing GREAT. The water temperature ten to fifteen miles out is at 62.9 degrees and this is just what the tuna like. A 200 pound Blue Fin tuna was caught off the coast of Crescent City yesterday, July 23rd. This warm water temperature drives the salmon down into deeper and cooler waters, so right now fishing for salmon is still slow. Today is expected 30 mile an hour winds, the Coast Guard has two flags up and are turning the fishermen back to port.

[packer]

I built them out of 14 oz truck tarping and 1/2 closed cell foam , they fit perfect in the walkway of my stripper . i put drains in the bottom . i figure they will hold 6-8 tuna with ice . 2 ice chests and bags i figure to bring in 30 tuna on ice PACKER

[Paddler]

Any pictures of the BFT?