What do you do with all that tuna?

[Nalu]

Ok- the flip side of the numbers/pictures issue.

It's not about how many were caught, it's about what was done with them.

Do you REALLY need to put 40 tuna in the boat? 50? 15?

The answer can be YES, and probably is YES by many.

4 people in a boat and 40 tuna on board.

10 per person.

20 lb average- 50% carking-100 pounds of fillets.

40 pounds cut into medallions for cooking
10 pounds cut for smoking
50 pounds for canning.- 80 1/2 pints per ODIN's chart.

Give away 10 pounds of medallions to those who can't go fishing
Give away some of the smoked tuna to those that have never had it.
Give away lots of the 1/2 pints as gifts and to family.

In addition, there is just giving away whole tuna to those that appreciate it. Just about every trip I give 1 or 2 or 3 tuna away immediately to local friends at the coast that can use it.

Tuna fishing is a strong viable resource. One that sometimes is here, and sometimes is not. This year we have been fortunate for close in fish and great weather. It wasn't that way last year.....lots of rough days that the average weekend fisherman couldn't fish. Next year might be the same. Stocking up for when the wind blows is a prudent thing to do.

So......what do you do with your tuna?

[fishindude]

I have not actually come home with 10 fish. THe most I have had was 7. I canned 84 half pints, gave away fresh loins to my neighbors and friends. Didn't really have much left over after that. Need to get out again to stock up the freezer.

[SecondSeason]

great post mike

last year i kept 32 fish and had 14 lbs of tuna left over to smoke before this season.

i have kept that many this year and now i fish only for friends and fresh loins for the week.

how much meat is always the question from sport to sport. there are just 2 of us here with 2.5 freezers with free range everything. only meat we buy at the store is pork chops / lamb from time to time. we eat well all year long and are the hit at BYO-Meat parties. I try not to have game left over when the next season starts as a general rule. If your a discontented lurker and zoot suit with too much time on your hands try throwing some good parties and just maybe you can see that the meat isn't wasted and you can lurk some where else on the net.

thanks mike and good seeing you this week.

[skein]

Yep, just like you said.

I shoot for 10 fish per trip. That's plenty to enjoy, and plenty to care for. Besides, that keeps me anticipating every trip, although I will no doubt finish the year with catch and release.

Remember, tuna is only part of why I'm out there.

Skein

[julezilla]

The only time I've tuna fished I came home with 7 fish. 48 pints canned, a couple loins in the freezer, close to a whole fish eaten already. I have a family of 7, so it goes fast. I need to get out for more while I still can. Next year who knows what will happen.

I can't see processing more than 10 fish at a time. The seven I had took all weekend canning.

[Chromaflage]

I've got 4 kids....all teenagers. Every one of them absolutely love fish. Do the math!

My in-laws can't go fishing. I gave them 4 or 5 fish. My aunt and uncle usually make the trek from central oregon to the coast to buy tuna. 4 or 5 of my fish will go to them.

Some for gifts, trading stock, etc. Mostly for personal/family consumption.

I am hoping to have 20-25 fish to donate to an annual sportsman's dinner that I attend every year, but have not yet been able to contribute to. Hoping that this will be the first year. So, hint, hint, wink wink, nod nod - send me a PM if you can read between the handlines and would like to chat about this.

CrF

[Teton]

That's about right on with me, as far as the ratio of loins/smoked/canned goes. I have many friends who line up to get tuna. My wife has people waiting at her work. I also know many families who are in need, and are very grateful when fresh loins show up at their doorstep. Yes, its a lot of work and FUN, but the gifts are truly priceless.

None is wasted. In fact, demand is much greater than supply. I can only get out about once/week with a midweek trip here and there, if the ocean allows it. What a great resource!

[retaliate]

Yep! Demand is greater than supply, just a couple weeks ago I was talking to my neighbor, & told her I was done Tuna fishing, she looked at me with Puppy Eye's, & Said...What about me, A couple others reminded me they haven't had their chance either....so I took them out as promised.

[Reel Knotty]

I do the same thing. Steak the lions, give a way some loins to neighbors, friends, and family, can the rest. I give away a lot of canned Tuna to those that cannot fish, and to family (who all are hoping for a great season....). Two kids who love Tuna (and salmon for that matter...but this Tuna fishing thing is interferring with my salmon fishing ). This is the first year I have had a boat big enough to run out for Tuna. Am hoping I will not be refering to this season as 'the best Tuna year ever...

My wife is in OSU Vet school...so more canned tuna (and salmon) means some good simple eat'n (especially since Daddy will have to cook more...).

On Edit: Maybe we should clue the beneficeries of our Tuna into the efforts to restrict our fishing...they may want to add their voices to ours...

[Irish Pennant]

Can

Freeze

Gifts

Bribes

Most importantly though, I'm stocking up for the 2012 event (see LIG board) Tuna goes good with spam.

[JayC]

Originally Posted by Reel Knotty

On Edit: Maybe we should clue the beneficeries of our Tuna into the efforts to restrict our fishing...they may want to add their voices to ours...

[O Tshawytcha]

10 fish is about as much fish as I can deal with in a single session. Pretty much just like Nalu's post, can, smoke and gifts.


GRIFF

[KeyWest]

Tuna is the fruit of the sea.
You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it.
There's, um, tuna kebabs, tuna creole, tuna gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried.
There's pineapple tuna and lemon tuna, coconut tuna,
pepper tuna, tuna soup, tuna stew, tuna salad,
tuna and potatoes, tuna burger, tuna sandwich... That's, that's about it.

[Irish Pennant]

Originally Posted by KeyWest

Tuna is the fruit of the sea.
You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it.
There's, um, tuna kebabs, tuna creole, tuna gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried.
There's pineapple tuna and lemon tuna, coconut tuna,
pepper tuna, tuna soup, tuna stew, tuna salad,
tuna and potatoes, tuna burger, tuna sandwich... That's, that's about it.

TUNA TACO

[retaliate]

Bacon Wrap Tuna.

Tuna Casserole.

Tuna with sliced Potatoes, Onions, Garlic, & Cheese(don't have a name)

Puffin Camp recipe(cooked in with the Crab Boil & or cajon style)

[Threemuch]

Originally Posted by KeyWest

Tuna is the fruit of the sea.
You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it.
There's, um, tuna kebabs, tuna creole, tuna gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried.
There's pineapple tuna and lemon tuna, coconut tuna,
pepper tuna, tuna soup, tuna stew, tuna salad,
tuna and potatoes, tuna burger, tuna sandwich... That's, that's about it.

Nice job, Bubba. Now tuck that lower lip in! Ow....something bit me!

I have about 250-300 half pints in my garage, and we eat it at a 2 can a week clip, so that is a few years worth of canned. I rarely take home more than a few fish. So I only can a couple batches a season. Mostly I cut the inside core out of 5 loins or so, and eat them in various sushi/sashimi preps. I use the outside of the loin for fish tacos, or just grill it up. Goos stuff for sure, but I don't think I could fully utilize the numbers that some of you guys are taking care of. Plus I don't get the thrill out of the 2 hour carking session that I used to.

[pijon]

We each got 5 tuna apeice from our epic first trip. I gave 3 of mine to a lady who canned it for some of the loins. It came out great! The other 2 I brought home and it is about gone. Everyone loves it on the Barbque. I have a few of my own kids (young adults) living here and also a few vagrants they have adopted. So when we cook up any fish it dissappears fast.

[Chesapeake]

This year we have done 3 fish days. Each day was 4 guys on the boat with a 6.5 fish per person average. Total number of fisherman for the 3 trips was 6.

For the 3 trips we had:

2 guys with 6.5 fish each, 2 guys with 13 fish each, and 2 guys with 19.5 fish.

I am one of the 19.5 fish guys. Of those a neighbor came over and helped cark after one trip and I sent him home with 7 fish. He has 3 teenage daughters and usualy buys off the docks and cans 100#'s a year. He dont need to buy any this year. I have canned 64 pints (about 7 fish). Of that a case was sent to Alaska to the parrents, and another case was split between my brother and grandmother. A few jars here and there between friends and I have about 3 cases in the pantry. Of the about 7 fish remaining in the freezer alot will be smoked and canned, and the rest will be cooked in other manners.

We averaged out our expenses per trip and came up with $80 per fisherman per day. Total expenses include, truck fuel, boat fuel, ice, launch fee, and hotel/camp ground. They do not include food/drink, fishing licenses or other personal expenses. It costs us about $600 for four guys to travel from the Portland area to Garibaldi and fish tuna for 2 days.

[LQQKASTAR]

Originally Posted by KeyWest

Tuna is the fruit of the sea.
You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it.
There's, um, tuna kebabs, tuna creole, tuna gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried.
There's pineapple tuna and lemon tuna, coconut tuna,
pepper tuna, tuna soup, tuna stew, tuna salad,
tuna and potatoes, tuna burger, tuna sandwich... That's, that's about it.

O.K., I can take the flame, Tuna Helper.

[HiTekRdNek]

I have canned 12 cases of 1/2 pints (for Christmas gifts). Now I need to can for myself (maybe 6 cases).
Then I have around 50lbs. loins in the freezer. And I give much of that away to friends. I have also shared my fish with anyone I know that can't fish themselves.
What I take I use or someone else does. I will always have a "Care Package" for anyone that needs one.

[HiTekRdNek]

Originally Posted by LQQKASTAR

O.K., I can take the flame, Tuna Helper.

I agree Tuna Helper rocks!!!
Easy meal for bachelor nights or when the Admiral has me in the doghouse.

[Chromaflage]

Originally Posted by HiTekRdNek

I agree Tuna Helper rocks!!!
Easy meal for bachelor nights or when the Admiral has me in the doghouse.

So, Mike, would that be a regular meal for ya?

[StickFish]

I trade some away to neighbors, they watch our house, feed the cat when were gone, grab the kids off the bus if were late, give us freezer jam, teach my kids how to make freezer jam, help my wife with sewing jobs, tech my daughter how to sew - its my currency in the neighborhood.

I use some as Bribes - my regional adviser at Ektelon for instance - I still have my free Elite contract cause he loves sushi. We can a bunch, trade that to hunting friends in exchange for elk streak and sausage when I don't get some, for smoked salmon when I don't get some.

Ratio when its all said and done probably 50-50 loin/sushi : canned

[CATCH AND EAT]

Mike, you've seen my belly. Need you ask?:grin:

We've gone over this before.

1. Can a bunch
2. smoke a bunch
3. loin a bunch


give to: neighbors
friends
enemies (they get last years)
gifts
employees
clients
business contacts
fishing guides
To many places to give to and to many to list. It just does not matter since it does not go to waste. I take that back, it does go to waist.p Mine and I'm proud of it. Worked long and hard on my shape. Round is a good shape. No jagged corners to bonk your head on.:grin:

[Grady252]

My neighbors now love tuna.... oops maybe I should not have given it to them. :smile: I give about half of my fish to those who will enjoy it. The landscaper who is helping me put in my lawn has two children and loves fish... my brother in law...... my neighbor who can't afford to pitch in for gas and wont take a free ride.... he will take tuna though, so he smokes it for us and I split it with him..... I give it to friends at the docks and the list goes on....

Sharing the bounty is rewarding for all involved. I feel great, they feel great.......if I take 5 guys and catch 40 fish that's 8 each...... I give half away, so I end up with about 4 for myself..... I canned a lot and I will also share my canned tuna..... I do have to find a way to get my jars back though..... no-body ever gives back my canning jars....

[FASTWATER]

Yeah my wife always comes home from work and tells me everyone wants to know when your going fishing again. use to be how is he doing now it is did he go fishing this weekend!!!PEACE

[reelselfish]

this last week we opened the gate to the deck and started up 2 big bbq's didn't take long be for the kids friends showed up the her comes neighbors, went through 20 lbs of steak, and 16 tuna loins could hardly get them off the grill and gone think there is enough beer bottles to return to cover fuel next trip. nothing brings a neighborhood closer together than tuna and beer, well some good wine to. good luck fishing guys and stay safe.

[HiTekRdNek]

Originally Posted by Chromaflage

So, Mike, would that be a regular meal for ya?

More often then I care to think about.

[Chesapeake]

Originally Posted by Grady252

I canned a lot and I will also share my canned tuna..... I do have to find a way to get my jars back though..... no-body ever gives back my canning jars....

If you figure this out let me know. I'm looking for a solution myself. Seems every year I have to go to Bi-Mart and restock on jars.

5 gallon buckets are the same. Give a guy something in a bucket and you can kiss the bucket good buy. Like socks in a dryer they just dissapear.

[Paddler]

We caught 8 per man yesterday. My friend won't take much, so I'll end up with more than half. So, a years supply, including being able to share with family and friends.

I should show my wife this thread. She thinks it's tacky to ask for the jar back. I disagree. I figure I can refill it and give away more tuna. What's the best way to make sure you get your jars back?

[fyshndad]

Originally Posted by Paddler

We caught 8 per man yesterday. My friend won't take much, so I'll end up with more than half. So, a years supply, including being able to share with family and friends.

I should show my wife this thread. She thinks it's tacky to ask for the jar back. I disagree. I figure I can refill it and give away more tuna. What's the best way to make sure you get your jars back?

I have found the "THREAT" of no more TUNA for you unless I get my jars back works quite well
Usually they just go buy me a case of jars
Sometimes I tell people "You buy the jars & I will fill them for you"

Works pretty good for me

[Mr. Fisherman]

Threads like this can do nothing but fuel the fire for lower limits on sport take. Why fan the fire?

Might as well send the P family your donation while you are at it.

I understand the concerns, but this group I know, I KNOW are responsible with their catch.

I swear some of the threads started lately make me want to open a window.

I really miss the tight knitt group we once were.

I look at the pictures of my dad and I holding a stringer full of trout... that holds more than you can catch by regulation now and I see the future of our passion heading down the same memory lane.

Sure, there are good points both ways here.... but somehow, someway the views expressed here and in threads like it will be used as leverage to take more and more away from us as sportsfishers.... lower limits, and more money for the right to fish for less.

Maybe I should throw my soapbox on the fire too, couldn't hurt.

[Nalu]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fisherman

Threads like this can do nothing but fuel the fire for lower limits on sport take. Why fan the fire?

Might as well send the P family your donation while you are at it.

I understand the concerns, but this group I know, I KNOW are responsible with their catch.

I swear some of the threads started lately make me want to open a window.

I really miss the tight knitt group we once were.

I look at the pictures of my dad and I holding a stringer full of trout... that holds more than you can catch by regulation now and I see the future of our passion heading down the same memory lane.

Sure, there are good points both ways here.... but somehow, someway the views expressed here and in threads like it will be used as leverage to take more and more away from us as sportsfishers.... lower limits, and more money for the right to fish for less.

Maybe I should throw my soapbox on the fire too, couldn't hurt.

Huh? Fan the fire? Miss the tight knit group? I don't get it.

I guess I completely missed how this thread does anything but show that people easily and for good reason can utilize all the tuna that current regulations allow for.

Post after post on this thread is people saying how they utilize all their fish, are able to provide for others, and feel good about the fish they've caught.... In my mind that is a very positive thing.

The only negative in this whole thread that I can see is the last post.

If somehow, someway, this post is turned into something negative by someone......well that can happen with pretty much any post. What's the alternative? No posts?

[Mr. Fisherman]

Mike, it is the reoccuring theme of commiting to less than the current limit of 25 fish... almost orchastrating a 5 or 10 fish limit per person.

Like I said, there are good points for and against but also as mentioned these statements and those like it can and likely will be used out of context.

I am just frusterated. It must be time to go fishing.

These are the good old days...

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fisherman

Mike, it is the reoccuring theme of commiting to less than the current limit of 25 fish... almost orchastrating a 5 or 10 fish limit per person.

Like I said, there are good points for and against but also as mentioned these statements and those like it can and likely will be used out of context.

I am just frusterated. It must be time to go fishing.

These are the good old days...

I limit my boat to 25 fish per person. Is that wrong?:lurk:

[Grady252]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fisherman

Mike, it is the reoccuring theme of commiting to less than the current limit of 25 fish... almost orchastrating a 5 or 10 fish limit per person.

Like I said, there are good points for and against but also as mentioned these statements and those like it can and likely will be used out of context.

I am just frusterated. It must be time to go fishing.

These are the good old days...

Go fishing and bonk some tuna..... I am sure that will help.... :smile:

Everything is certainly subjective and open to interpretation. I saw one post that said they had 8 fish per person and he would end up with more than half, so that would last him a year. Obviously he doesn't eat as much as the rest of this group or share with as many people, but I hardly think that would fuel enough to lower limits.

Sometimes I too miss the days when I was the only person at the Banana, and then go NW from there and get tuna without a boat in sight.....I have spent days without ever seeing another sport boat, now mid week the parking lot is full.

With everything there is good and bad. With Ifish there is a lot of revenue generated, boats built, maintenance, moorage at docks that used to be half full, outboard motors, electronics, Ifish sponsors wanting large coverage, fuel, food, ice, tires, brakes, and the list goes on. The down side is sometimes the pacific ocean looks like Bouy 10.

Anything can be manipulated into something bad, the barbque cooking mass quanities of loins frivolously for everyone to enjoy could be seen as wastefull, or the amount of beer consumed at the barbeque left enough bottles to be cashed into fuel for the next trip could lead someone to plead a case for no tuna fishing because it causes alcoholism.

We need to temper it with reality or shut down this board and start a private little board without the rest of the work to see.

We are all very hard on our politicians, but this is a prime example of the dificult job they have trying to sort out all of the varying opinions and decipher what is right. We can't agree on simple things on this board, but somehow they should all agree on how to run the state or the country.

OK off my soap box....

[Grady252]

Originally Posted by CATCH AND EAT

I limit my boat to 25 fish per person. Is that wrong?:lurk:

:smile: Bad dog no biscuit.

[Blue Tip Spinner]

do you guys have a thread around here for people that are willing to take tuna!? if any of you have a need for someone to take them off your hands, let me be the first to offer my assistance!

[Grady252]

Originally Posted by Blue Tip Spinner

do you guys have a thread around here for people that are willing to take tuna!? if any of you have a need for someone to take them off your hands, let me be the first to offer my assistance!

That would threaten the commercial fleet and there ability to stay in business and would result in lower sport limits.

[LQQKASTAR]

Originally Posted by Blue Tip Spinner

do you guys have a thread around here for people that are willing to take tuna!? if any of you have a need for someone to take them off your hands, let me be the first to offer my assistance!

P.M sent

Another example of where fish goes.

2 years ago,I posted that i needed my dog bred by another Lab (AKC) after about 20 replies, some as high as $5,000, he donated his active and trained duck hunter, just so his dog could have "FUN". IT WASNT QUITE PUT THAT WAY!, worked out great!

Now its payback time!

Anything you need Robert,got ya coverd!!

Jack.

[ogrejager]

I'm a volunteer firefighter. I brought home 7 tuna from our trip yesterday and took bags of loins down to our drill tonight. Every firefighter that wanted some got a couple of loins to take home. Community service, right there!